Page 25 of The Awakening

“In what way?” I frown, curious.

“You know, very tall and… perfectly dapper with liquid swagger.”

“Liquid swagger?”

“Oozing.Drippingwith it.”

I laugh and shake my head.

“Like treacle,” he says. “Bourbon-flavored treacle—”

“Alright, Jae. Where do you come up with this stuff?”

“You inspire me. It’s my image of you.”

Despite myself, I smile. “I bet you say that to all the vampires.”

“I don’t. Never.”

I’m tempted to ask him why he fools around with low-level vampires. If vampires are just his thing. I think it’ll sour the mood, so I don’t. Besides, everyone has a preference, whether they like to admit it or not. Clearly, I prefer humans. Does that meanIhave a fetish? I don’t think so. They’re just easier to interact with. No rules and cultural hierarchy. No threat of being bound and chained to them forever.

“Did you call your friend over the weekend? Cyrus?” I ask. “So he won’t yell at you.”

“I did—the knobhead. I video-called him, but then he was like… busy and distracted the entire time. Obnoxious. He wouldn’t sit still.”

“Is he usually like that?”

“Hm, I don’t know. Ever since I’ve moved to Japan, Cy is weird. He screams at me if I don’t call, and then when I do call, he’s awkward and barely paying me any attention.”

“Maybe he misses you?” I reason. “Doesn’t know how to say it?”

Jae blows out a breath that reads disbelieving. “Who knows.”

“Maybe he likes you?” I offer. “Is he gay?”

“No no—absolutely not.”

I raise my eyebrow at this. Some humans have weird convictions about being attracted to someone of the same sex. So much so that when they are, they often deny it, and it manifests in the strangest ways.

“Are you sure?” I ask.

“Positive,” Jae says. “We’ve been best mates since we were little. And I’ve always been open with him about my sexuality. He would tell me.”

I shrug, letting it go. Like I said, the strangest ways.

“Do you have a preference?” Jae asks. “Male or female? Other?”

“Not really,” I say, lifting and bending my arm to cradle my head in my palm against the pillow. “I don’t like drama, and all genders are capable of it. What about you? You’re seeing Lucy the dietician.”

“Not reallyseeing—”

“Just sleeping with, then?”

“Not recently… I—Well…”

“I’m not judging you, Jae. You’re not on trial. You’re allowed to sleep with whomever you please.”

“Am I?”