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Lukas voiced my biggest concern and further drove the point home to how problematic my life had become. I knew when I decided to be with Stefan, it would complicate things. The knowledge of my new found immortality made the complex situation even more precarious.
"Talk to Stefan, Josie. He only came to Bali to find you," Lukas said. "I know him well enough that he'd live in an igloo in Alaska if that's what you wanted. He's pussy whipped. "
Lukas threw down his magazine and stood up to cross the room to the island, his clever eyes noticing the folder of paperwork Stefan had presented me with last night. He cocked an eyebrow at me and opened it to peek inside, reaching in to retrieve the three credit cards with my name on them, laying them out across the granite counter. He walked to his messenger bag and pulled out a pen. He zipped back over to me and held the pen out to me.
"What do you want me to do with that?" I asked curiously.
"Sign the back of the cards so we can go shopping. Stop avoiding what you are and who you are going to be. You're involved with one of the richest vampires I know. If you fight him on this, it's only going to accomplish two things: piss him off and hurt his feelings. Neither is pleasant, believe me. "
"I know. It just seems like I'm giving up. " My shoulders drooping in defeat, I grabbed the pen from his hands and signed my name on the back of all three cards. As I opened my purse to put the cards inside of my wallet, a thought popped into my head. "The name of his company is LM Holdings. If the L if for Lifsten, what does the M stand for?"
Lukas smiled sweetly at me as he linked arms with me, leading me to the door. "Sweetheart, you aren't giving up. You're being smart. And the M stands for Meijer. I'm his business partner. "
* * *
Spending the day shopping with Lukas was like running a marathon. He was a non-stop bundle of energy, dragging me from store to store. The advantage to shopping at upscale stores is that when you spend enough money, they are more than willing to deliver your packages to you without a blink of an eye. By the time we made it home, it was late afternoon and Lukas thoroughly checked out every room of the apartment before leaving me to go next door. I had just plopped down on the couch when my cell phone rang.
Georgia.
Grimacing, I knew I couldn't avoid this phone call forever. I'd listened to 10 voice mails from Georgia and Anna, their messages becoming increasingly more snappish and curt as they received no response from me.
"Hello, Georgia. "
There was silence on the line for a moment. "Well, hello to you Josie. I'm glad you finally decided to answer your phone. Some of us have been worried about you. "
Stifling a sigh, I gripped the phone tightly. "We've been traveling and I just turned my phone back on today. How's Bali?"
"How's Bali?!? How's Bali?! That's all you have to say? Anna and I have been worried sick about you and you ask how Bali is?" Georgia's voice was getting louder and the tone of her voice was climbing in anger.
"I'm sorry you've been worried. I'm fine. We're in New York City right now. Lukas is here too. " I rubbed the back of my neck with my free hand. "We'll be heading back to Indonesia in a few days. Stefan just has to wrap up some business first. "
Another pause on the line and I could hear her inhale loudly. "You're gonna leave us, aren't you?"
"What? Georgia?"
"You're gonna follow him wherever he goes. He has you dickmatized. "
"Dickmatized? Are you sure you and Lukas aren't related? He told me Stefan was pussy whipped earlier. "
Georgia barked out a laugh and then the line went silent again. "Good try at attempting to change the subject on me, chick. I don't think so. You can avoid answering me, but I know you're leavin'. "
"We'll be back in a few days. Tell Anna I said hi. "
"Tell her yourself. She's your friend too," Georgia retorted sharply, then sighed heavily. "Shit, Josie. I've gotta go. See ya. "
"Bye, Georgia. "
Staring at the phone, I wondered if she was right. Was I already subconsciously preparing myself to leave Bali and live a life of anonymity with Stefan? I'd only escaped to Indonesia to seclude myself away from visions and if I was completely honest, feeling anything. Stefan had swaggered into my life and heart and now I didn't feel the same need to hide anymore.
Sinking down on the couch, I placed my phone down on the ottoman and stared out the windows. Georgia was way too perceptive for her own good.
The phone rang again and I glanced at the phone, beaming as I saw Stefan's name show up on the caller id display.
"Hey," I murmured into the phone. Just hearing his voice made me feel better.
"Ah, vackra. Hearing your voice is a welcome relief. I was calling to tell you that I should be home in the next hour or so. If you are not too angry with me for leaving you with Lukas, do you feel like going out for dinner?"
I could almost hear his smile through the phone. Lowering my voice seductively, I murmured softly to him. "Are you asking me on a date?"
