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“Wendy, this is my brother Nakor and his mate Charlotte.”
“Brother?” That was as far as she got before Charlotte gave an excited squeal.
“Oh my God, I love your dress. Where did you get it?”
Wendy beamed at her.
“At a little vintage store in Blowing Rock. Do you really like it?”
“It’s absolutely perfect for the festival, and you look stunning in it.”
“Aw, thank you. I love your sweater too. Is it vintage?”
“Yes. I got it at a store here in town—the Whimsical Wonders Warehouse. Have you been there?”
Charlotte started raving about the store while Nakor stood next to him, scowling.
“I do not understand this obsession with used clothing. She even prefers them to the ones I purchased for her.”
He hid a smile at his brother’s affronted tone and shrugged.
“I don’t care where Wendy gets her clothes. She looks beautiful in all of them.”
“Of course Charlotte does too—” Nakor began in an annoyed voice, then broke off to stare at him. “She’s your mate, isn’t she?”
“You know it doesn’t work like that for vampires.”
“I suspect our fathers would disagree,” his brother said dryly but let it drop when the women turned to them.
“Charlotte’s going to take me to the vintage shop,” Wendy said happily, then gave him an uncertain look. “If I have time before I leave, that is.”
It was the perfect opportunity. Bolstered by his brother’s presence, he turned to Wendy.
“About that. Since Nereus will be out of commission for another week, I was hoping I could persuade you to step in for him. I’ll compensate you for your time,” he added when she hesitated.
“I’m not going to take your money.”
He started to argue, and Charlotte shook her head at him from behind Wendy’s back.
“Please stay,” he said instead. “I—we—need you.”
In spite of his knowledge of humans, he couldn’t read her expression. But then she nodded slowly and triumph filled him. Forgetting their audience, he was about to sweep her back into his arms, when Nakor cleared his throat.
“Charlotte wants to see the fireworks. Shall we find a seat by the riverbank?”
Wendy’s face lit up.
“Fireworks? Oh, I love them.”
“Me too.” Charlotte shot a teasing glance at Nakor. “Especially certain kinds.”
The two women dashed away, and they followed.
“Not exactly what I meant when I suggested you ask her to stay,” Nakor said disapprovingly. “You intend to put her to work?”
“She says she enjoys it.”
“Ah, that’s different.” Nakor sighed and let out a puff of smoke. “My mate also enjoys working. She’s making great progress with her publishing company.”
