My interest piques, so I turn to find…a guy. A wavy-haired guy. Stepping out of a vehicle.
His pale locks catch in the sunlight, and I find my mirth subdued as I look between him…and August…who appears to want nothing to do with him. Which suggests that, at some point, she has had something to do with him.
Another man exits the vehicle, speaking animatedly as they both head toward the line in front of the order window.
August sinks in her seat, sighs, and stuffs a large spoonful in her blue-tinted mouth.
Deep unsettle rises in my gut. I ask, “Who’s that?”
“Jeffry,” she mutters.
“Who’sJeffry—” An otherwise decent-lookingblond. “—to you?”
August pins me with a disgusted look. “Oh, just because he’sblond, suddenly he’ssomethingto me?”
“Probably more because you’re attempting to disappear into the ground, actually. But, sure, let’s focus on the blond part. You did dodge my question yesterday concerning whether or not you only like me for my looks.”
August gasps. “Are you jealous?”
I sniff, indignant, as I deliver a morsel of coffee ice to my mildly pouting lips. “I’ve been told that jealousy isn’t a great trait to have in real life. My author strictly prohibits me from feeling such a thing.”
She wiggles, adorably. “I love beingyour author.”
My heart swells. “I love beingyours.”
“Are you jealous, though?” She licks her blue lips. “You’re allowed to have actual emotions beyond your character sheet, you know. I promise I won’t mind seeing the humanity beneath your vampirism.”
“I’m not sure if I’m jealous or not.”
Interest ignites, and she gives up on trying to hide in order to lean across the table, giddy. “You’re not sure?”
I eye her. “Is there areasonI should be jealous?”
“Well, if you trust me, no. We’re dating. So that means we’re exclusive.”
I arch a brow. “I trust you. So now you’re going to be a good girl and tell me why you’re trying to disappear, right?”
August flushes, red and yellow in the blazing sunlight. Eyes focused on me as though they’ve never focused on anyone else, she says, “He’s—”
“August?”Jeffrycalls, and my expression hardens whenmyAugust straightens up and smiles big. He says, “I thought that was you.”
Despite her smile, she ignores him completely, fixing her attention on the other guy. “Hey, Sammy.” Her lashesflutter. “Quick question: would you be willing to kidnap me?”
My eye twitches.
Sammy tilts his head, swallows a bite of his snowcone, and says, “Sure. Why?”
“Oh, no reason in particular. Just a story I’m workshopping.”
Sammy laughs, like he has any right. “Sounds super cute. Yeah, no problem. Sign me up.”
My grip tightens around my plastic spoon.
In the business of ignoring important things at the moment, August pays my glare no mind.
Which gives Jeffry the opportunity to interject. “Who’s this?”
Opting for decency, I let my irritation melt away and offer my hand toJeffry. “I’m Dominic, the man August is dating.”
