Page 152 of The Good Vampire’s Guide to Blood & Boyfriends

Nellie

Yes! Absolutely! I love that! Exclamation point!

“Everybody shut up! It’s the final rose ceremony, we actually have to pay attention,” Tony said.

“You’ve been louder than anyone!” Mari protested.

“And that’s why now I’m saying I’m gonna shut up!”

“I think this is their version of flirting,” Cole whispered.

It wasBacheloretteNight. The vampire ball had been two weeks earlier, and it had taken that long for things to feel normal again. There were no murders in the news, no betrayals, no secrets revealed. Just texting Nellie, hanging out with Cole and Mari and Tony, and going to classes. Brennan had finishedBreaking Dawn.He and Cole had a movie marathon scheduled that weekend, and he was embarrassed to admit he was looking forward to it.

They were all squished on the couch, so Cole was half in Brennan’s lap. Mari and Tony were pretty cozy, too. Brennan wasprettysure Mari and Tony were together now, but he was afraid to ask.

Brennan sipped from his blood pouch through a straw. Everyoneknew now, so he could, which he had to admit was nice. Maybe Dom was onto something with not wanting to pretend all the time.

Dom… Brennan hadn’t heard from her. Sunny wouldn’t tell him where she was, but implied she was abroad somewhere. She’d said that if Dom wanted to reach out she would. After the first week, Brennan stopped jumping at every phone notification.

The bachelorette was giving out roses, and Brennan wasn’t paying attention, more focused on the small circles Cole was drawing on his shoulders with his fingertips.

“Not Mark B, not Mark B—” Tony chanted. He was on the edge of his seat.

Something crashed with a thud against the window.

Brennan jumped and Cole cursed. A shadow hovered at the window adjacent to the couch and Brennan squinted at it.

A black bird pointedly pecked at the glass.

Knock knock. Knock knock.

Brennan hopped up, sensing Cole right behind him as he went to investigate. The bird was large and fat, and had a vial with a bit of paper inside tied to its ankle.

Knock knock. Knock knock.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Brennan said, and opened the window.

The bird flew in with a flourish and perched on the coffee table, extending its leg out for Brennan obediently.

“Fucking sick,” Cole said.

“Dammit, I missed who she gave the rose to,” Tony said.

Brennan untied the vial and let the parchment inside fall into his open hand. The bird shook out its feathers, then started picking at the crumbs on the table from the cookies Cole had brought.

“Um, is it gonna leave now, or?” Mari said, eyeing the bird distrustfully.

“I think it’s waiting for a response,” Cole said.

Brennan ignored them and unrolled the note. It was on old parchment, written in black ink and curly, neat handwriting.

“What’s it say?” Cole leaned against him to peek over his shoulder.

“It’s Dom,” Brennan said.

“Dude, she has a messenger bird?” Cole said. “Fuckingawesome.Why don’tyouget a messenger bird?”

“Guys, the show has, like, two minutes left if you could let me watch inpeace?” Tony said.