Page 15 of Blade

“I’m very persuasive when I want to be.” Ghost snorts when he hears me, and Demon rolls his eyes. I change the subject and ask, “When are you leaving for the lake?”

“Not until four or so. It’ll give me plenty of time to get there and set up. They’ve booked a solid hour, but I’m sure I’ll be back in time for our date,” she says. “How’s work?”

“It’s been a busy day.” It has been. Riding out, beating up a couple of assholes, and still having a ton of cars to get to makes for a busy day. So, I’m not lying. “Burgers at Millie’s tonight. How does that sound?”

“Wonderful. I can meet you there.”

“Nah, I want to give you a ride over. It’ll be a short ride, but I still want you on the back of my bike,” I tell her.

“Never been on a bike.”

“Then it’s a must,” I kid. She giggles adorably. “Got to go, baby. See you tonight.”

Emryn

The shots I took were fantastic. The young couple were amazing to work with, and I promised to get them some preliminary shots in the next day or so. A day that started off shitty with what was going to be another delay of my furniture turns into a wonderful day.

I’m not sure what Blade said to the movers, and I honestly don’t care, because I was about to lose my mind. I’ve already paid them to do the job, and I can’t afford to pay someone else without dipping into my savings.

I’m glad Blade suggested burgers at Millie’s. It means that I can relax in my jeans and cozy emerald-green sweater. I add my thick brown leather belt and boots and big hoop earrings, brush out my hair, put it into a sideswept ponytail, and I’m good to go.

Blade picks me up right on time, and after we make out at the door, I’m forced to reapply my lip gloss before leaving. I’m not complaining! We haven’t even left my house, and I’m already having the best date of my life.

I sit across from Blade and enjoy the best burger I’ve had in ages. Even better than the ones Mom’s gourmet chef made for us when it was my tenth birthday and I wanted to go to McDonald’s. Mom’s compromise was burgers from Rene, the French chef. They were delicious, but it wasn’t the food I was going for. I wanted to be a regular kid and eat greasy fries, like I saw on TV.

“Hey, babe. I lost you there for a minute. Where did you go?” Blade asks as he reaches across the table, his fingers gliding over the back of my hand.

“Sorry, I was just thinking of the last time I had burgers with my parents,” I murmur.

“You miss them?”

It takes effort to meet his gaze and be honest about how I feel about my parents. “As terrible as it sounds, not really.” His brows rise in surprise. “I’m not what they wanted in a daughter, and after years and years of trying to measure up”—I shrug—“I gave up.”

“I’m sure they love you,” he says, taking my hand in his to console me.

“They do in their own way. But not in a way where they accept me as I am. I’m not drop-dead gorgeous like my mother. She was a model, and I will never be a model.” I run my hand with a flair over my very petite frame. “My brother took after Mom and has a fabulous career in modeling. Dad is a prominent businessman, and when the modeling thing didn’t work out for me, he expected me to work in a business of his choosing. I didn’t want that either. So, when push came to shove, I left and decided to make my own way. They don’t like it because it makes them look bad with their elitist country club friends. As a matter of fact, according to my parents, I’m in Europe traveling the world.”

Blade laughs. Loudly! Not the reaction I was expecting.

“My father is having a hard time with my choices too. The Pride wasn’t what he wanted for me. Although, my parents respect the work I do and know I have plans for my future. They just wish I’d stayed in my hometown to do it. But never would they try to make me into something I’m not,” he responds.

“You’re lucky.” I sigh. “I’m not the golden child, and the price to pay is too high to try.” It’s taken me years to come to terms with the fact that I deserve to be happy. “We talk once a week. It’s short and sweet and very civil. I pick one holiday, either Thanksgiving or Christmas, to visit. So far, it’s been working. I see my brother whenever he chooses to make an appearance. He prefers to fly around the world with the jet set, and he has amazing stories to tell. I like the quiet life, and what I do works for me.”

“No regrets?”

I smile. “Not a one. Not even upset at a flat tire on the side of the road, because it means I get to be here with you right now.”

“You keep being cute and we’re going to end up making out at Millie’s and give her the shock of her life,” he teases.

“Right. I’m eating my burger and not mentioning how hot you look in your leather jacket.” I take a huge bite of my burger, and Blade chuckles. It’s his turn to tell me about his family. Despite his father’s disapproval of his joining the club, he loves his son, and Blade is close to his family.

We share our experiences, our hopes and dreams. I tell him all about the great shots I took tonight for the couple who are getting married and promise to show him when we get back to my place.

“And what’s even more amazing is that the owner of the moving company, Dan, called to confirm that he’ll be here tomorrow afternoon. I know you called him, and I don’t even care what you said to him, but I get a bed tomorrow. Thank you, again,” I tell him.

“I’m staying the night, Emmy. Are you good with that?”

“Yes.” That one word comes out in a husky breath.

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