“I think it’s fantastic,” Leslie said. “Ryker?”
Silence stretched over the call. Claire stood still in the middle of her living room, couldn’t pace while she tried to imagine what giant problem she’d overlooked.
“Claire,” Ryker said at last, “I’ve spent the last three years wishing for this.”
“I can confirm,” Leslie said. “It’s eaten him up, having you two at odds.”
Oh… “Really?”
But of course it had. Ryker’s friendship with Tai ran so deep. For years he’d held Tai’s secret and honored Claire’s friendship despite the two commitments clashing head-on every time one friend called the other an arrogant liar.
“Gosh, Ryker,” she whispered. “You’ve been stuck in the middle, and I never even thought…about you.” Only about her own hurt and anger.
Ryker gave a soft laugh that cracked a little. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not. I’m really sorry.”
“I guess it hasn’talwaysbeen okay,” he said. “But we’re good, Claire. Apology accepted, and y’all getting together… Somehow I never saw it coming, you two dating, but it’s obvious now.”
“And you think it’s a good idea, bringing him in?”
“It’s great. I’ve always felt like Tai belongs with all of us, if he’ll just open up.”
“He can get there.” Look how far he’d come in a single day. Look how the hope had lit his eyes, buoyed his voice when he talked about all he’d learned from Peter.
“I love it,” Leslie said. “Our group can be his family.”
“That’s what I want for him.” Claire blinked back a few stupid tears. “Anyway, that’s…that’s what I had to tell you. Sorry to barge in on your evening, but it felt important.”
“We’re glad you called,” Ryker said.
“Absolutely,” Leslie said. “I always look forward to seeing y’all, but now I really can’t wait.”
When they hung up a few minutes later, Claire tapped her way straight to a text.
Do you have plans Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.?
Twenty-Two
Tai wasn’t entirely sure why he’d agreed to this. The group of vampires who’d made up Ryker and Leslie’s wedding party—they were Claire’s friends. Ryker and Leslie’s friends. Every last one of them had already decided what they thought of Tai, and he didn’t blame them, given what they didn’t know.
But his conversation with Peter last week had changed something, at least in his own mind. No, he wasn’t ready to tell them about his condition, but maybe he would be someday. In the meantime, maybe he could earn their trust in other ways. Maybe he could belong here.
He and Claire had arrived last of the group, though only by a few minutes. When they stepped into Ryker’s and Leslie’s condo, everyone was milling around the kitchen, pouring coffee or wine, then drifting to the living room with their drinks. Tai chose wine, and Claire gave a little gasp of delight at the bottle of cold brew next to the coffeemaker.
“I never take this for granted,” she said to Leslie.
Leslie laughed. “You know I’d have it anyway. Hot coffee is disgusting.”
“Speaking truth,” Claire said.
In the living room, people found seats on couches, chairs, and the floor. Tai sank to the carpet cross-legged while balancing his glass, and Claire dropped beside him in the same pose. A few feet farther away, on his other side, Mackey found a seat, braced by a random throw pillow.
Philippa had taken one of the chairs on this side of the room. She sipped her wine, then said, “So, Tai, I’m just going to say it: whatever misunderstanding has been cleared up between you and Claire, I’m happy to see her so happy, and I’m happy you’re here.”
“Thanks,” Tai said. “I take full responsibility for the misunderstanding.”
“Are we ever going to hear the story?” Nova said from across the room.
