Page 37 of Vampires of Eden

He nods, then goes to work.

And that’s it.

Huh.

Maybe I was expecting a big fuss about me not carrying this or that. Some awkward questions—something to show his acknowledgement of my limitations after the mattress ordeal.

But there’s nothing as we work together effortlessly against the background clatter of the market. He carries the long tables two at a time and sets them down in the gravel, waiting as I pop the legs out so that they don’t fall over before he goes to get the last set. When those are done, I tell him about the table cloths and banners in the left-side corner. He nods and retrieves those as well.

“Lo siento, Puercoespín. Hola!” Leoni comes jogging up, her olive-brown skin flushed and there’s a bright smile on her pretty face.

“What the hell are you doing?” Alexander asks in his bouncy and high-class Central Eden diction, ignoring her lovely greeting. “You asked me to come help, then you’re not even around.”

Leoni waves him off and moves toward the side door of the van. She pops and slides it open. “It’s fiiiine. Daniel’s here and he knows what I like. Look at how great everything already looks!”

“I’m not a mind reader,” I admit, setting the bouquet of roses on a nearby crate. “But I think I know you well enough by now.”

“Exactly, and I don’t see any visible scars,” she says, carefully looking us both over. “No cat fights?”

I scrunch my nose and hiss.

“No.” Alexander walks toward her at the van, leaving me to lay out the tablecloth. I almost laugh because it’s painfully evident how relieved he is to not be alone with me anymore. As if he’d been left with an awful babysitter and now, thank God, mommy is home.

The market day runs smoothly and I realize that Leoni was right. I am genuinely having fun. While she and Alexander talk to the customers, I hand them what they need from the crates, then occasionally grab extra bottles from the van to keep our booth inventory stocked and looking full. At one point, Alexanderassures us that he can handle everything alone while Leoni and me walk around together to take in the different stalls.

Some are overflowing with pots of early spring flowers and bouquets for sale. Others offer handmade jewelry and trinkets. Fresh fruit and vegetables. Meat, fish and cheese. We spot another wine vendor at the opposite end of the market and strike up a friendly conversation.

When we return, we’re both shocked to see that an insanely long queue has formed at our booth. Alexander is there alone, talking and smiling with the aura and charm of a beloved celebrity signing autographs.

By lunchtime, we’re almost completely out of stock, much to Leoni’s delight.

“This is what happens when I’ve got two of the most handsome vampires in Eden at my booth,” she declares, grinning at me.

I roll my eyes as I place the display wines back in the crate underneath the table. Who is she kidding? It has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the blonde-bombshell standing beside her. As a matter of fact, there should be a sign on the front table that reads, “Please ignore the hunched monster in the background?—

“Disculpe, joven. ¿Aún es posible comprar una botella o ya se marchan?”

Blinking, I look up. My eyes meet those of an older woman vampire, whispering. She’s second-gen, small in stature and her silver curls are sprightly, like a halo around her face.Excuse me, young sir. Is it still possible to buy a bottle? Are you leaving?

“Ah, sí—wait, no. I mean, sí you can buy a bottle.”

“¿Sí que puedo? Disculpe, no le entiendo.”

Dammit, she can’t understand.

She smiles, sheepish. “Esos dos vampiros son un poco intimidantes. Prefería preguntarle a usted.”

Those two vampires are a little intimidating. I wanted to ask you.Yeah, I get that. But I’m not the one with the language?—

“Hola, ¿puedo ayudarle con algo?”

I look over my shoulder and Alexander is there, addressing the older vampire. His tone is soft and compassionate—the epitome of a polite, well-bred vampire. Admittedly, not arrogant nor supercilious at all.

The older vampire smiles at him shyly, avoiding his eyes as if she can barely withstand the bright power of his golden aura. “S-Sí, ¿aún se puede comprar una botella de vino?”

Alexander nods and offers a handsome smile. “Por supuesto, ¿cuál le gustaría llevarse? Aún tenemos muchas opciones. Por favor, acompáñeme.”

Of course, which one would you like? We have many options left. Please, come this way.