AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Elle snorts. “You wish.” Her eyes go back to the menu. “Man, I want to order everything on this menu, but this shit is expensive.”
“I told you, it’s my treat.”
“And this is your birthday.”
“Get me drinks at the bar later,” I tell her. “Another, cheaper bar.”
My necklace starts to feel hot against my skin, so I absently curl my fingers around it, feeling it warm between my fingers.
“New necklace?”
I glance at her as she’s eyeing my necklace.
“Yeah, birthday present,” I tell her warily.
“Well, let me see, move your hand.”
I let my hand fall away and she gasps. I took my earrings out last night—the holes already closed over by morning—but I kept the necklace on.
“Holy shit. That looks hella expensive. Is that a ruby? And diamonds?”
I nod. “Probably fake.”
“Who gave it to you?”
I have to lie. “My parents.”
Her forehead creases. “Your parents? Gave you a ruby necklace? That does not look like something parents would give their daughter, that looks like something a high-rolling sugar daddy would give his lover.” I nearly snort over her description of Solon. “And your parents would never give you anything so classy. You? In diamonds?”
She then frowns at my neck, at my hands. “Where are all your other necklaces and rings?”
“I took them off,” I say, hiding my hands beneath the table for some reason, while the ruby continues to burn against my skin. “Wasn’t sure if it would be appropriate for this place.”
“Oh and you covered up all your tattoos, too,” she notes. “Makes me look like the unkept wild child here. That’s okay. I am who I am.”
Never change, I think. I give her a quick smile. So far she hasn’t noticed that my canine teeth are pointier than normal. It’s actually not that noticeable, I feel like they must grow when needed.
I pick up the menu, hoping she drops the subject about my jewelry. If she asks to see my tattoos for some reason, I’m doomed.
We lapse into silence while I decide on what to eat. I’m not hungry at all, not for food or blood, but it will look weird if I don’t order anything. I think the lobster bisque seems like a good bet. I take my sunglasses off and put them on the table, my eyes finally adjusting to the light.
“Oh, my god,” Elle says in a hush, while the back of my necklace suddenly flares up, hot against my chest.
“What?” I ask, peering down at the ruby as I hold it away from my skin.
“I just saw the most gorgeous man in the whole world walk in here. He’s by the bar.”
I couldn’t be less interested. “Uh huh,” I tell her, trying to figure out what the necklace is doing to me.
“He’s not either of our types, but fucking hell, I want to jump over all the tables and maul him. He is beautiful.” She pauses. “Lenore. You’re not even looking.”
I give an exasperated sigh and tear my eyes away from the menu.
Look across to the bar.
Where they lock with Absolon’s gaze.
My eyes widen, air caught in my throat.
