Page 28 of Into The Light

Her eyes scanned my body before settling on my own. “I like it. A lot. You look great.”

Her opinion mattered to me, I realized only after she’d offered it. Mark continued beaming, giving me a thumbs up with the hand not clutching a margarita. He’d indulged in too much liquor, which would explain his inability to see he was making me look like a fool trying to impress a girl. He wasn’t incorrect, but I didn’t need Emilia to know it. Even though his behavior irked me, it was nice to see he’d made a friend he could enjoy. I suppose I could forgive him.

“How did you sleep?” she asked as she drifted my way.

“Good, thank you. Did you two have a nice day?”

“The best!” Mark chimed. “Breakfast and bloodies by the pool, afternoon naps, Nancy whipped up cheeseburgers and chocolate lava cake for dinner, now we’re back in the pool. She’s so great, Aiden! Can we keep her? Forever?”

Emilia laughed and splashed him with water. He returned the favor and fell off his raft pulling his margarita under with him. His head popped up first, then his hand clutching the cactus glass now filled to the top with pool water.

“Boo!” he said with a fat lip protruding.

“Oh! That sucks!” Emilia laughed, Mark following suit. The two seemed thick as thieves already. A flash of jealousy tightened my stomach. He was so natural around her, and she was so relaxed with him. I wished she felt that way around me.

“Care to join us, Aiden?” Emilia asked.

“Good luck with that,” Mark spluttered.

“I don’t swim.” Emilia searched my face for more. I had been too short again. “I’ve never been in the pool. I haven’t been swimming in decades.”

“Centuries I think,” Mark said.

“Why not?” Emilia asked.

“It serves no purpose. I don’t need exercise to stay in shape and it serves no benefit. I only swim when the need arises.”

“Oh,” she said, her eyes falling. “I love the water. I love swimming in it, floating on it, looking at it. I’ll probably be in this pool for most of my stay here.”

“I’m glad you will enjoy it.”

I shifted my weight while silence settled between us. After a few moments, Mark broke it by pushing to the edge of the pool and hoisting himself out.

“I’m getting another margarita.”

Grimacing, I shot him a look. He had spent all day with her and now it was my turn for some alone time. She intrigued me and I wanted to learn more. He caught my look and even the margaritas hadn’t clouded him so much he misunderstood.

“On second thought, I just got a terrible headache. Would you two mind if I took a breath and laid down?”

“Not at all,” I said, thanking him with my eyes.

“Of course not. Feel better!” Emilia called to him after finishing her sip of margarita.

“Good night, Emilia. Good night, Aiden.” He flashed me a wily smile and headed into the house.

Emilia looked up at me, her head now resting on folded arms that lay across her purple raft. “I guess that means I should head in?”

“Please, stay. No need for you to end your fun.”

“Don’t you need to feed?”

“Later. Please, enjoy yourself.” Generally, I would have already fed by now. My throat scratched and my fangs throbbed at the smell of her. Though famished, I didn’t want to disturb her. She looked so peaceful floating about. Beautiful, too.

“Are you sure? I don’t mind. It’s getting chilly now that the sun is down.”

“I don’t mind at all. Please, take your time. Just find me when you’re done. If you’re chilly, might I suggest a swim over in the hot tub? Mark tells me it’s, how did he word it, awesomesauce.”

Emilia burst into laughter. The sound of it brought me pleasure.