Page 24 of Sunsets & Other Dangerous Things

“Oh.” Esther adjusted the strap of her shoulder bag, looking between Ashley and Uther. “I mean, Uther came all this way. I don’t want to put him out.”

Right. In her need for distraction, she’d completely forgotten she was supposed to give Esther space.

Uther waved Esther over. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

He opened the front door, and they both walked out to the porch, leaving Ashley and August alone in the house.

“That was weird, right?” Ashley turned to August for confirmation.

“So, you and Esther, huh?” His gaze was on his nails, but his tone said they weren’t the focus of his attention.

Ashley narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know what you mean.”

She wasn’t sure why she was talking to the witch. She went back to leaning against the wall and waiting for Esther.

“She’s cute. I get it.” He’d stopped playing with his nails, done pretending to be uninterested in the conversation he’d started. “The brooding goth girl. Plus, she’s a hottie. Who isn’t into that type?”

“Watch yourself, witch.”

August held up his hands. “Hey, hey, no worries. I’ve made my peace with that. Set my sights elsewhere, if you will.”

Ashley huffed. She would not.

“I was just going to say…I don’t know. Are you sure?”

She pushed from the wall. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. And if I did, it would be none of your business.”

He ignored her statement. “It’s just, you know. You’re you, and she’s…well. Her.”

“I know I’m a vampire. I’m not an idiot.”

“Not that.” He laughed and plopped down on that damn chaise. “I mean you, with your”—he waved his hand at her in a fluttery manner—“sparkly, talk-to-everyone-and-sings-show-tunes-outside-my-window vibe. And she’s Esther, lives and works in an attic and would rather not talk to anyone ever please and thank you. I guess I just don’t see it.”

His shrug was the final straw on Ashley’s self-control. Her fangs came out, and she was mid-hiss when the door opened. Quick as she could, she retracted her fangs and resumed her post against the wall as Esther and Uther stepped inside.

“You may walk with Esther,” declared Uther with a hand flourish. “I have further to discuss with August.”

“Smooth.” Ashley walked to the door, ready to leave everything August had said behind. “That sounded really naturaland not at all rehearsed.” She touched Esther’s arm, mostly to hear her heart pick up. “Ready to go?”

“I… Let me grab my bag.” She raced up the stairs.

Ashley had to wait for the creaking to stop before she could be heard. She leaned against the doorway, studying her own nails now. “So, what are you and Uther up to these days?”

“Nosy, much?” August snapped.

Bingo. Two could play at this game of poking into other people’s personal lives.

“August was telling me about this gardening club in Vermont,” offered Uther, ever the excited one. If Ashley didn’t have to focus on vampire stuff, she’d have befriended him weeks ago. She’d seen him once or twice at some of the smaller weekend parties. He gave off strong supportive friend vibes.

The noisy stairs interrupted any attempt to continue the conversation, and then Esther was there. “Ready.”

Ashley gave August a parting glare before following Esther out the door and down the steps to the narrow sidewalk. The sun had long set, the stars shone overhead, and Ashley returned to imagining what it would feel like to hold Esther’s hand.

“So,” said Esther. “You’re kind of different, aren’t you?”

“I like to think I’m exceptional.” Ashley flicked her hair over her shoulder. Was this when Esther noticed her? Dating was a bad idea. But she was feeling a little reckless this evening. Maybe something casual could be okay. She didn’t have to tell Esther anything?—

“No, I mean… Well, the super speed thing.”

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