I chucked my luggage in the trunk next to hers and closed it.
When I sat in the driver’s seat, I groaned. “Oh, the leather hugs my ass just right.”
My friend snorted. “You need to get laid.”
“Yes, I do.” I sighed in agreement. “But we have plans first.”
Her red brows lifted. “Should I even guess?”
“Clothes and weapons.” I wiggled my shoulders as I started up the engine. And, boy, did my new toy purr for me. Another pleased sigh escaped. “Tell me where to go. I have money burning a hole in my pocket.”
“It’s actually a credit card,” Adelie explained.
Using the heel of my palm, I thumped her on her forehead. “I know. It was a metaphor.”
She stared, and then scowled. My friend grumbled, “I need to drink a human who is younger. It’s been a while since I stole a younger one’s memories.”
I chuckled and peeled out of the small parking lot. “Where am I going?”
Adelie quickly strapped on her seatbelt, then gripped the door as I took a sharp left out of the exit. “Head west…and try not to kill us.”
“When all my dreams are coming true? I wouldn’t dare harm us.”
But a little speed never hurt either.
I opened my new toy up on the highway.
And thoroughly enjoyed Adelie’s frightened screams.
* * *
Adelie grunted as I tossed another shirt on the pile she was holding for me. Only her eyes and nose could be seen over the garments. Her gaze was narrowed, but she hadn’t commented—it would come.
I lifted a pair of black leather pants and held them against my waist. “How do you think these would look?”
She only continued to glare.
Still not commenting. Yet.
My lips twitched.
I tossed the pants on top of my ever-growing pile.
Adelie jerked, bending one leg when the garments tilted to the side. My redheaded friend kept them from toppling all over the floor. Barely.
“Hmm.” I hummed and pointed at the racks at the very back of the store. “Do you think there’s anything good back there? We haven’t seen those yet…”
“Oh my God, no! Just no!” Adelie wailed in misery. It was a bit muffled behind the pile, but I could hear her just fine with my vampire hearing. She shuffled to stand directly in front of me, cutting off my access to the racks in the back. She growled, “Those are on sale. You wouldn’t want them anyway.”
I lifted my arm over the top of the clothes pile and bopped her nose lightly with one finger. “I’m just teasing.” I winked. “It appears you still hate shopping as much as you always have.”
Which truly didn’t make a lot of sense. Adelie loved fine clothing.
One would think she would want to pick it out herself.
But no, she enjoyed others doing the shopping for her.
My friend grumbled, “Yes, I still hate it. Can we go now?”
