Page 31 of Her Vampire, His Ruin

“Well, if you put it that way.”

I glare at her and she laughs, but her smile drops when tears prick my eyes and fall down my cheeks.

“Shit, Edie. What the hell?”

I blink them back, more surprised they appeared than she is. “Ignore me. I’m fine,” I say, swiping at my face to get rid of the evidence. “I’m being ridiculous.”

“Did Dorian hurt you? Because if he did, I’ll bloody⁠—”

“No. He didn’t hurt me,” I quickly respond, stepping in her way so she doesn’t storm back into the restaurant and unleash her wrath on Dorian.

“Then why are you so upset?”

“I’m not upset.”

“You’re crying.”

“I am not crying,” I protest.

“What’s wrong?” Dorian asks, stepping out of the restaurant. His timing is impeccable.

“You upset Edie, dickhead,” Henrietta shouts, moving in front of me as Dorian attempts to get closer.

“What in the world are you doing now?” Logan exclaims, appearing around the side of the building right at that exact moment. “Do you have a death wish?”

“Logan, please escort Henrietta to the car.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Henrietta retorts, folding her arms across her chest and drilling her gaze at Dorian.

“Henrietta, it’s okay. This is just a misunderstanding.”

A flush of heat creeps over my body, partly with embarrassment, and partly because my body has a wicked sense of humour and has decided to remind me at this exact bloody moment that I’m a forty-four-year-old woman in the midst of a hormonal flux. Hot flashes and tears, a recipe for disaster. Could this night get any worse?

“I just want to talk with Edie alone. Please, go with Logan.”

She nods, her anger quickly dissipating as she wanders over to Logan, her hips swaying seductively.

“If you want her to remain—” Logan begins, but Dorian gives him a sharp look.

“I said, take Henrietta to the car, and for fuck sake, get a hold of yourself.”

“Fine,” he agrees rather reluctantly. “Let’s give them a moment alone. Shall we?”

“Anyone would think you can’t get enough of me,” Henrietta teases, taking this opportunity to, yet again, slide her arm through his. A moment later, Logan’s opening the door to the car, and they both slip inside.

“I’m not sure that was wise,” I say as the door slams shut.

“Logan won’t hurt her.”

“At this point, I’m not entirely sure who’d win if they got into a fight.”

“Trust me, he likes her.”

“You’re crazy.”

“Just tell me what’s upset you, and then we’ll join them,” he replies, edging closer to me.

“I’m not upset,” I say, leveling my gaze with his.