Page 19 of Blood Sugar

The handsome witch looked over the menu for a split second before setting it down. “What do you want?”

I hadn’t even glanced at the options. Pressing my lips into a thin line, I read over the list. It was the standard diner fare. My typical waffles or French toast didn’t sound appealing when I was so hungry for both food and blood.

“I dunno. I think I’ll do the number three.” Two runny eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns.

Rowen nodded, and when the server returned, he ordered for both of us. He finished by asking, “Hey Liz, do you have any vampire drinks yet?”

The server tucked the menus under her arm. “Yeah, we just got some in.”

My eyes widened. They had blood here? I’d been told it was only available from certain mail services that were wildly expensive.

“Can you make something for Sadie, please?”

“Of course, but it’s gonna be pricey.”

He shrugged. “That’s fine. No worries.”

“Rowen, you don’t have to do that. I don’t want to cost you any more.” My hands curled into fists, wrinkling the fabric of my dress at the hem.

“Sadie, it’s fine, I promise. Do you want it? I should have asked.”

I could lie and say I wasn't starving for blood, but there was no hiding the shake in my hands. “Yes, if it’s really not too much. Thank you.”

Liz smiled at us. “What do you want, honey?”

When she placed a milkshake in front of me, the color a deep pink, I grabbed the straw eagerly. Sweet cream and strawberry hit my tongue, followed by the taste of blood. It wasn’t nearly as delicious as Rowen’s witch blood, but I sucked down half of the milkshake before I could stop myself. It was just enough blood to take the edge off, and I let out a long sigh.

Rowen watched me with brows furrowed. “When was the last time you fed?”

“A couple of days ago,” I said, avoiding looking into his eyes. The glass clinked on the tabletop as I set it down.

Our server returned with two plates of breakfast. Steam rose off the plates, tempting me.

“Here you go. Let me know if you need anything else.”

Rowen’s eyes stayed on me, but he addressed Liz. “Can we get a stronger drink for Sadie, please?”

“No,” I said, holding my hand up. He’d spent enough on me. “I’m fine. I’ve got plans to feed tonight. It would be a waste.”

“If you’re sure,” Rowen grumbled, his eyes narrowed as he studied me.

“Let me know if you change your mind,” Liz said, her voice soft with concern.

I wanted to hide my face in my hands, hating her pity, but the food was too tempting. With a forced smile, I picked up my fork and stabbed a bite of hashbrowns.

Everything was delicious. I tried to go slow and not stuff my face as fast as possible, but I was hungrier than I realized. My belly ached with that volume of food, but I still sat back and sipped my strawberry-and-blood milkshake.

“So tell me about the bakery. It’s a family thing, right? Your sister didn’t say much, other than that she was leaving and felt bad about it.”

“Amelie did most of the front-of-house stuff,” he said, mirroring my position and picking up his cup of coffee. “Now I’ll have to take over more of that, but I’m looking for part-time help. I’d rather be baking.”

“But that’s why you hired me!” I said, trying to sound like I was joking, but my heart rate picked up at the suggestion that I wouldn’t be needed.

“There’s plenty of baking to go around,” he said, smirking. “Don’t worry, Sadie.”

I loved how he said my name, smooth and rich. I wanted to hear it again, whispered against my ear. The thought had my cheeks flushing. Hoping he didn’t notice, I drank the last of my milkshake and set the fluted glass down.

The diner was empty except for two older men reading newspapers at the far end, so Liz’s eyes were on us. I tapped my manicure against the glass and gave her a thumbs up to show my appreciation. Already the blood was soothing the ache in my gut, and between that and the food, I was feeling good.