Page 71 of My Vampire Plus-One

“That had occurred to me,” I admitted. “But then again, I hardly know this guy. Maybe he’s the sort of vampire who gets off on luring their fake dates into a false sense of security before killing them.”

A long pause. “Do some vampires do that?”

“I have no idea. But it seems plausible, doesn’t it?”

“Maybe,” Sophie said, sounding skeptical. “Tell me this, though. How did he react when he saw how frightened you were?”

I closed my eyes and thought of his horrified expression when he realized I hadn’t believed him, earlier.

“He’d thought I already knew he was a vampire,” I told her. “Which is valid. He’dtriedto tell me the truth multiple times.” I’d just been too much of a linear thinker, too oblivious, to believe him. “I ran out of the room before I could find out for sure, but I think that when he realized I’d had no idea what he was, he felt really bad about it.”

“That doesn’t sound like someone who’s trying to lure you into his coffin so he can eat you.”

It didn’t. “You’re right.” I got out of bed and started pacing again. “But even if he isn’t going to kill me, what do Ido?”

“Do you want my honest opinion?”

I braced myself. “Yes. Please.”

“Once you feel calm enough to do it, talk to him,” she said. “And if you like what he has to say, see if he’s good at sex stuff beyond kissing.”

My cheeks flamed. “Talking to him sounds reasonable,” I agreed, ignoring the rest of her advice. “We’re going to be stuck here for a while.”

“Great,” Sophie said. “Do that. Then let me know how it goes. And now that that’s settled, I should go. I need to help with the kids, and I also need to let Marcus know he owes me ten dollars.”

“Why does he owe you ten dollars?” I asked, though I already suspected I’d regret it.

“We made a bet on whether you two crazy kids would get it on in Wisconsin.”

“I’m going to hang up now,” I said, pretending to be offended. But despite myself, I was smiling.

NINETEEN

Excerpt from the BoisterousBulleters Discord Server, #sticker-commissions channel

REGINALD_THE_V:Okay, I need some advice

REGINALD_THE_V:So, you know the girl I’ve been telling you about?

REGINALD_THE_V:Well…I kissed her

TACOCATTUESDAY:OMG

BRAYDENSMOM:YES FIANLLY

REGINALD_THE_V:Except I think I fucked it up

REGINALD_THE_V:pushed too far too fast

TACOCATTUESDAY:uh oh what did you do

REGINALD_THE_V:and in the process told her something I keep v. v. v. close to the chest that Iassumedshe already knew but that she definitely didnotknow

REGINALD_THE_V:it freaked her out. and now I don’t know what to do

BRAYDENSMOM:Well it’s good that you are COMMUNICATINt

BRAYDENSMOM:thats a START