Page 28 of Vampire so Virtuous

Another reminder of how long it had been.

“That happens when you keep throwing your keys into it.”

She followed him through into the kitchen and sat on her usual stool at the breakfast bar.

“Are you hungry?” he asked, addressing the contents of the fridge as he pulled out the beers. It didn’t look like there was much inside.

“Are you having something?”

“I was thinking about a bacon sandwich.” He slid a can across the counter toward her.

Cally caught it and cracked it open. “Go for it, but I’ll pass, thanks.”

“Oh, shit. You still vegetarian?”

“Afraid so.”

“I never figured it would stick, you know. I had to learn a bunch of new recipes.”

“It did you good to diversify.”

“Are you sure a bacon sandwich won’t cure you?”

Cally gave him a flat look. “Do you know how old that joke is?”

He grinned and peered through the fridge. “I have some cheese?”

“I’m good with the beer, thanks.”

He closed the fridge and cracked his own beer, leaving the bacon behind. “It’s good to see you,” he said, proffering his can.

Cally tapped it with hers. “Good to see you too.”

They both took a drink; the cold, hoppy taste as familiar as everything else.

“What brings you out here?”

“I have to have a reason to visit my dad?”

“No, but I’m betting you do. Everything all right?”

Cally hesitated, then took another sip of her beer. He waited patiently, leaning one elbow on the breakfast bar. “Shall we take these drinks into the living room?”

“Sure,” he said, straightening. “Want a glass?”

“Nah, I’m good.”

He walked around the counter to his easy chair, picking up the remote from the arm and killing the TV. He flopped down as she took a seat on the couch, swung his legs onto the footrest, and swiveled to face her.

“Training going okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah, it’s going good.”

“Work all right?”

“Fine. Finished a project recently and now have too much time on my hands.”

He grimaced. “Easier when you’re busy, isn’t it?”