“Well, hey there, Lukas.” Sam plopped right across from me like last time. “Oh, strawberry. Is that your favorite?”
He had freckles, I’d just noticed. “Let me guess, someone called you to tell you I was here?”
He chuckled. “Nah, my shift starts in a few minutes.”
He worked here? That was a problem. It meant I’d have a hard time dodging him, but it couldn’t be the only ice cream shop in town…I would have to look up where others were.
“You sure are enjoying that strawberry.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “We have a kickass Strawberry Roller Coaster creation if you ever wanna get crazy.”
Sweet Jesus. “I’m fine.”
“I’m sure you are, but I mean, life’s short, right? Enjoy all the delicious things while you can.”
This was why humans not knowing about vampires annoyed me. I couldn’t just say, “I’m a vampire.” He’d laugh or worse, believe me, and I’d get even more questions.
“I like simple things.”
“I can see that about you.”
He was silent for a minute. I realized he wasn’t going anywhere, so I pretended he didn’t exist and enjoyed my ice cream.
“Have you thought more about a tour of Brookridge?”
“No.”
“I see. Well, how about we swap numbers?”
Ugh, this again.“Why?”
He tittered. “To arrange a get-together or something. I think we could be friends.”
I placed my cup down and lifted my chin. “What have I said or done to make you think I was in the market for a friendship?”
“Not a thing.” His smile never wavered.
“Then what makes you think I’ll give you my number and become friends with you?”
He shrugged. “Determination.”
“Determin…wow.” This man was insane. “Don’t you have to work?” I motioned to the counter.
He glanced over to where the teenagers were talking to each other, no line.
“I have time. So, Lukas, why did you choose Brookridge?”
I still had half my ice cream left. I could take it and walk out of this shop, but something told me he’d probably follow.
“I like the fact that my house is on an island away from people.”
He snorted. “Yeah, I believe that. I gotta ask, though. You’re not a Lancaster, or are you?”
Ahh yes. Lancaster Island had been purchased decades ago by a vampire named Nigel Lancaster. Many had taken his last name, which kept it in the so-called family. Unfortunately, none of the vampires still using the Lancaster surname had wished to return to the island. It took a long time for the council to decide who would inhabit it—about twenty-plus years. Since no one expressed interest, they put their foot down and as my time was up to relocate, they chose me. I was, however, instructed to tell people I was of the Lancaster line in order to avoid someone trying to fight for the island.
“I’m of the same bloodline. My father was a Farren.”
“Oh, okay. That makes sense. Ben, my friend, believes the name died out through marriage…sounds like he’s right. He will love knowing that.”
I was almost done with my ice cream. He surely would need to go work. I hoped for a rush so badly.
