SAGE: He didn’t seem very weak to me
SAGE: But also
SAGE: Have you considered that maybe you’re just falling for a mysterious eccentric guy
SAGE: And your brain is inventing supernatural explanations because you’re scared of getting hurt again
That’s a reasonable interpretation.
ME: Maybe
SAGE: Or maybe he’s a vampire
SAGE: Honestly either option seems equally likely at this point
SAGE: Just promise me you’ll be careful
ME: I promise
SAGE: And keep sending updates
SAGE: This is the most exciting thing that’s happened to me in MONTHS
SAGE: You’re living a paranormal romance novel and I’m stuck in a world of spreadsheets
ME: I hate you
SAGE: You love me
SAGE: Now go kiss your maybe-vampire boyfriend again
SAGE: And FILM AS MUCH AS YOU CAN! I’M LOVING THIS!
I set down my phone and look at myself in the mirror. Flushed cheeks. Bright eyes. The look of a woman who has either found something real or lost her entire mind.
Possibly both.
Julian emerges from the bathroom, and I watch him in the reflection. He moves with so much grace. I wonder if all rich guys take a course on how to walk with elegance like women do? He’s changed into a linen shirt that looks casual, but I know for darn sure isn’t.
“Sage?” he asks, nodding toward my phone.
“She watched the video. Fourteen times, apparently.”
“Only fourteen?”
“She’s pacing herself.” I turn to face him. “She thinks you’re either part of the undead or a vampire. She hasn’t decided which.”
“First, aren’t vampires undead, too?”
I pause to think about it. “Yeah, but vampires are the sexy undead, so they get their own category.”
Something crosses his face. “Good to know. So what do you think?”
“I think we have dinner reservations in twenty minutes, and I haven’t finished my mascara.”
He crosses to me. Tilts my chin up with cool fingers. “Deflection. Your specialty.”
“I’ve had practice.”
