Page 48 of Ghoul Kisses

How you been, bitch? My birthday is this Saturday, and you need to be here to celebrate. I’m not taking no for an answer. I want to catch a movie and go out to eat. Nothing too extravagant.

XOXO

Vanessa.

I press my palm to my forehead. How in the hell did I forget my best friend’s birthday? I forgot her birthday is the second of November. I’ve been so caught up in the supernatural world that I forgot to keep up with Vanessa and what she is doing. I call Eric and his voicemail picks up. Hitting the end button, I decide to see if the potion that Clayton gave me works. I close my eyes and concentrate. I picture him in my mind and repeat, Eric. Eric. Eric. I open my eyes, and Eric stands in front of me with a towel hanging on his hips. I try to bite back my laughter.

“Why did you summon me, Sarah?” he frowns.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to know if Clayton’s potion actually works,” I say sweetly.

“You’re only supposed to use that for an emergency.” A hint of annoyance enters in his voice.

“Sorry.” My eyes sweep to his chiseled chest and the cut between his hips and legs. I try to keep my hormones in check by looking away.

“Vanessa wants me to go to the movies for her birthday on Saturday.”

Eric removes the towel and begins to rub it over his wet hair. I blush staring at his erection.

“No. It’s dangerous this time of the year.” He dries his arms.

“I need to see her; I’ve never missed her birthday,” I whine.

Eric goes to the drawer and pulls out a pair of boxers. Sometimes, he leaves his stuff in here.

“Sarah, I can’t risk you getting hurt,” he says, yanking his boxers on.

“Have you gotten her a birthday present, yet?”

I shake my head as I lean against the wall, and he stands over me. I can smell his Old Spice Fiji body wash.

“We can go to West Hollywood on Wednesday. Vampires won’t be there because they migrate to colder and wetter environments,” he continues. “If you really want time with her, we can come back on Sunday.”

“Really?” I jump for joy. I need to have a normal life, or at least it will feel normal to me.

He nods his head.

“Tell her it’s her birthday gift from you.” I clap my hands together and go to the computer to send Vanessa the e-mail. Eric pays for our flight. She shoots me a message.

I can’t wait, this will be the best birthday ever.

Wednesday arrives faster than expected, and I am overly excited about my stay with Eric and Nessa; my two favorite people. We meet her at the Sunset Marquis Hotel, one of the luxury hotels in West Hollywood. I spot Vanessa, she is wearing a blue dress with white flowers. Sunglasses sit on the bridge of her nose.

She doesn’t look like the cheerful, outgoing girl I know. Instead, she appears to have lost thirty pounds, and her skin is white as snow. Even her usually shiny, brown hair looks dull. What happened to her? Worry creeps into my chest. She looks horrible. Eric is at the front desk getting our rooms.

“Are you okay, Nessa?” I ask out of concern.

“Yea.”

“Are you sure? Do you want me to check you out?”

“Please. Sarah, I’m fine.”

We stroll to the counter, and all I can think about is Vanessa’s health. Eric gives the front desk clerk his credit card and picks up our bags. When he sees Vanessa, shock colors his face. I think he is as taken aback as I am about Nessa’s appearance.

He clears his throat.

“It is good to see you, Vanessa,” he says as he studies her from head to toe. He’s never seen a sick human before.

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