Page 96 of Vampires of Eden

Raphael and me are standing in the garage. The large door is open and the back garden of the house is even greener than it was a week ago. From this angle, it looks like a lush picture inside a massive frame.

With glassy eyes, he hands me a small cooler. “I packed you a lunch.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Call me when you get there. Are you sure that you have everything you need?”

“Raph,relax, alright? The vineyard is only a couple hours away, and this… It’s a two-week trial. Plus, I’ll be back next weekend to see Buffy.” I decided it wouldn’t be worth itto uproot her for such a short time. I’ll miss her like crazy, though. My sleeping buddy.

Raphael sighs. “A lot can happen in two weeks.”

“Nothing will happen in two weeks. And I’ve got the birthday banquet on Sunday, remember?” Raphael kept this one society event on my schedule during the vineyard stay, just so I wasn’t completely missing from the social scene for two full weeks.

“This feels like the beginning of something important. I can sense it.”

I shake my head. “It’s not. I’ll be right back.”

“Gosh… what will I do if you don’t need me anymore and I’m an empty nester? I doubt Daniel would want me to stay in the house as your servant. I need to give this some serious thought.”

“Stop it.”

“Did you text Daniel to let him know you’re on the way?”

“Not yet. I’ll do it in the car before I pull off.” Frowning, I rub the back of my neck. Raphael has been obsessed with Daniel since meeting him. Every day he asks me something about him—if we’ve texted each other or how he’s doing. It’s freaking weird.

I’m almost constantly thinking about Danny as it is. I don’t need these extra prompts.

“Can I say something?” Raphael asks, looking atypically hesitant.

“Could I realistically stop you? Haven’t you said enough?”

He steps forward and places both of his palms against my shoulders, then looks me square in the eyes. “A tiger has no business chasing after a koala. A tiger should be with another tiger.”

The air between us is stiff. Only for a moment, though, because I shake off his palms and step away. “What the hell are you talking about? Are you making up proverbs?”

“Do you get what I’m saying, Lexie? Focus on the sexytiger.”

“I’m leaving.” Groaning, I turn my back and walk toward my car, but Raphael thrusts his chest into my spine and wraps his arms around me so that I can’t move.

“Text me when you get there?” he says, his voice muffled.

“I will. Thanks for lunch.” When he releases me, I make my way to the car and get inside. After I set the cooler on the passenger seat, I pull my phone from my jacket pocket and type out a quick text.

[Good morning. Leaving the house now.]

Immediately, Daniel starts typing.

[Morning. See you soon. I was just about to text you. Are there any particular vegetables that you don’t like?]

Smiling, I consider the question before responding.

[No, not really. That was a random question.]

I wait. A few seconds later, a new message pops up.

[Do you think werewolves exist?]

Surprised, a loud laugh bursts from my chest. He sends another message as I recover.