Page 75 of Dragon Detective

“And now you sound stuffy.”

“I’m anything but.”

No, he really did sound stuffy, but in a cute way. I actually liked him a lot.

“Vladimir, huh?” Reese tilted her head back to look up at him. “Don’t you find that a cliché?”

Pausing, he blinked down at her. “Why would I?”

“Vampire. Vladimir?” Her low laugh rang out. “I mean . . .” She flicked the edge of his cape and leaped up to tap his bow tie. “Cliché.”

“I’m not a cliché.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.” She took his hand and squeezed it.

A shudder ripped through Wolfram, but he stiffened his spine and smoothed his face. “As for the name Vladimir, I’m older than Dracula. If anything, he copied me.”

“Oh.” Her mouth formed a circle. “How old are we talking about here?”

“Veryold.” They entered his office.

Tracy came to her senses and raced after them, and the door shut, leaving me and Reylor alone. Not for long, however. Melly arrived to cover the desk for the next hour, and Reylor and I left for our picnic.

We spread a blanket out in a low spot in the dunes and sat and ate the lunch I’d prepared. After, we packed everything in the basket and lounged under the umbrella on the blanket.

We might’ve made out a bit.

Reylor might’ve gotten onto his knees and asked me to marry him.

I might’ve said yes.

And we might’ve celebrated our upcoming nuptials right then and there on that blanket.

---