Page 21 of Vampire's Breath

Amy reached across the table, her hand brushing mine. “How much did you want him?”

“Too much.” I pushed the spoon around my cup, staring, refusing to meet her eyes. “I don’t even know why. Why is this so important to me? I’ve never been a love-at-first-sight person. Fuck at first sight, maybe, depending on how long it’s been, but this? Not that I love him, but it would have been nice to get to know him.” Amy’s lips turned down, but she didn’t move to stop me, just letting me vent. “He’s planning on leaving. And I’m still unsure I’m ready to see anyone after Mum. Part of me just wants to swear off people altogether.”

“Briar, come on,” Amy said, her voice soft but firm. “You can’t let John be your last fuck forever. How sad would that be?”

I set the teaspoon down on the napkin and nodded. I could still see John’s lopsided grin, but the memory was clouded, like one I didn’t need to relive. “The cad who even you pointed out shared bedroom gossip with everyone? The one who didn’t understand when my mother was sick that I couldn’t drop everything to go fuck him? I couldn’t be in two places at once. I don’t understand why he even came to the party.”

“He told me he was worried about you.”

“Right.” I shook my head resolutely. “He told me he’s dating someone new and didn’t want to bring her to my place. But, of course, he wanted to be there to support the garden because he knew how important it was to me. He likely wanted to brag about having someone else to make me jealous.”

Amy swirled the remnants of her coffee as a smirk curved her lips. “Did it?”

A tight coil settled beneath my rib cage. “Hardly. But it reminded me of what I want. Someone who will support me for who I am; someone I can trust in every way.” I caught the look on Amy’s face. “Yes, every… I don’t want to have the details of my sex life the subject of gossip in the village just because my boyfriend can’t deal with a woman in control.” And that was it, too. I knew what I wanted in life and in bed, and John couldn’t deal with either. His insecurity had doomed our relationship.

I pushed back my chair, the legs scraping on the tile floor. “I’m going to grab a scone. Want anything?”

Amy shook her head. “No, I’m good.”

The soft hum of conversation surrounded me as I crossed the room, the scent of buttery cakes drawing me toward the glass display case. My eyes focused on the glittering sugar as I approached the counter. Something sugary and fattening was precisely what I needed after being turned down by Lorcan. Noteven turned down. He said he wanted to go on a date, but now he said he was leaving. What a weak excuse. I deserved better.

I collided with something solid and stumbled backward, looking up at the man I’d just run into. Heat rushed to my cheeks, my voice catching awkwardly in my throat. “I’m sorry.” I reached out a hand to a nearby chair to steady myself.

He wore a black button-down shirt, dress pants, and polished black shoes. His black hair was closely cut and neatly styled, and he held the hand of a woman shorter than him. Her long, almost-black hair cascaded down her back, and a silver disc with an engraving that resembled a large cat dangled from a chain against her dark shirt.

I tried to laugh off my clumsiness. “I wasn’t paying attention. I guess I was focused more on the cakes than where I was going.”

“It’s not a problem,” the man said, his tone polite. His accent carried a faint lilt that seemed familiar and foreign, while her silver pendant caught the light, glinting like a shard of moonlight. “Please, go ahead and order. We’re still deciding.”

“Thank you,” I replied, grateful for his courtesy. I placed my order and returned to the table with two scones, knowing that Amy would eat at least half of mine despite saying she didn’t want one. Setting the plate in the middle of the table, I broke off a piece of the scone.

“Well, that was awkward,” I said before popping the small bite into my mouth.

“What was?” Amy asked, following my lead and grabbing a piece of scone.

I swallowed and tilted my head toward the counter. “I just totally ran into that guy over there. I was paying more attention to the food than to where I was going. What a way to make an ass of myself.”

Amy’s lips twitched in amusement as she followed my gaze toward the counter. “It could have made for a great ‘How I Met Him’ story.”

I grimaced. “Who is it you want me to be dating? John, this guy, or Lorcan?”

Amy shrugged again, grinning mischievously. “Any of them will do—or all of them, if you want. I’m not gonna judge.”

I rolled my eyes, laughing despite myself as I tore another piece from the scone. “I cannot believe you, but thanks for making me laugh.” I glanced over my shoulder at where the couple sat in hushed conversation, their hands joined at the edge of the table. “Anyway, this guy is taken from how he hasn’t let go of her hand, so scratch him off the list as well. God, I wish I could get away for a break.”

“And go where?” She popped a piece of scone into her mouth.

“Nowhere.” Reality slammed into me. “I can’t afford it. Every extra cent I have goes into the account to go to England.”

“Still?”

I swallowed hard. “Yes. It is really expensive. Maybe whatever is in that journal Lorcan has will make it so I can just blow the money on something else to make me forget him, but otherwise…”

Concern laced Amy’s words. “Otherwise what?”

I inhaled sharply. I should have kept my mouth shut and not let this out, but it was Amy. “I’ve thought about selling my mum’s necklace…”

Amy’s eyes grew wide. “Briar, you can’t. That necklace has been in your family forever.”

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