“I don’t know. Maybe.”
“No maybes.” She shook her head and tapped on her phone some more. “If you’re still around next week, you’re in for speed dating. If not, I’ll cancel.”
“Jeez.” I rubbed my temples. “I haven’t seen you for more than half-an-hour and you’ve already signed me up not only to have the hair burned from my body, but then to parade said body at a meat market.”
She smiled with satisfaction. “Efficient, aren’t I?”
I exhaled. “I can’t argue with that.” No Doubt’s “Just a Girl” began to play. I bit my lip. “Will the laser hurt?”
“Yes.”
“Oh!” I leaned back in mock horror. “Then why are you signing me up?”
“Because it’s worth it. I barely have to deal with hair removal anymore.”
“I should go before you think of something else crazy to sign me up for next. Thanks for the drink.” I stood.
“You sure you don’t want to stay longer?” Gianna asked.
“No, it’s been a long day. I’m pretty much ready to go home and crash. I want to get up early tomorrow and start figuring out what I need to do with my aunt’s apartment.” Shaken, I’d left soon after Diego tackled me.
“Okay. I’ll be home late. I’ll try not to wake you.”
“I picked up a couple of bottles of red so I’ll probably have a glass or two before I go to bed and will hopefully sleep like the dead.”
As soon as that word left my mouth, I thought about Diego—technically the undead.
She raised her chin. “Good luck tomorrow.”
Luck? Would I need it?
Diego
As I sat in the living room on Monday, my gaze kept wandering from my historical fiction novel toward Margaret’s apartment. Nova was over there.
“Still want a taste?” Sebastian asked from the kitchen where he was stirring the batter for biscuits to go with the beef stew cooking on the stove. The scent of cooking meat and spices filled the room.
“What?”
“Nova’s blood.”
Oh. I snapped my focus back to the book, regretting telling him about the surprising craving yesterday. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Then why do you keep looking over there?”
“Wariness,” I quipped. “Let’s not forget she almost killed me yesterday.”
Sebastian wagged a finger. “Ah, I know you better than that, Diego. Your nostrils were flaring like she was fresh baked garlic bread dripping with melted better.” He raised his fingers to his mouth and smacked his lips together.
I shifted my position in the leather recliner. “She smells good. I’ll give her that. So what?”
“So we’ll see,” Sebastian added in a knowing tone.
I fought the urge to walk over to him and double-slap the smirk off his face.
“There’s nothing to see.” I scowled.
“If you’re into her, just man up and ask her out.”
