Page 104 of Vampires and Violas

I hate how reasonable it all sounds.

“I’ll wait for you, Piper,” Noah says. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Except out of the house,” I say darkly.

He frowns. “I need to talk to Larissa again, ask her what she saw exactly.”

“Maybe it was just a friendly neighborhood birdwatcher.”

“Maybe.” He smiles like he doesn’t believe it any more than I do. “We should probably get some sleep. Dawn is only a few hours away, and we both have to work in the morning.”

I crawl from his lap, and we reluctantly climb the stairs.

Noah walks me to my bedroom door, pausing like we’re on a date. I smile and stand on my toes to steal one more kiss. “Night, Noah.”

“Goodnight, Piper.” He flashes me an unexpected grin. “Don’t forget to set the lock.”

“You too.”

He starts down the hall. “I’ll leave mine open. I don’t really care if you sneak in during the night and bite me.”

Laughing to myself—liking that idea more than a nice vampire girl should—I resist temptation and shut my door.

Though my lifefeels like it was turned upside down last night, there is one constant: my flower business won’t run itself. There’s work to be done, and I’m the one who must do it.

The sun's heat is getting me today, making me wonder if there are any vampires in Arizona. I can handle the cold, but these high summer temperatures are horrible.

And I’m not sure I got any sleep last night. Morning seemed to come far too soon, and I’m dragging.

I get to Sam’s house and walk up the drive with a collection of yellow zinnias and white hydrangeas. They’re cheerful and happy, which doesn’t match my mood.

I’m a thunderstorm this morning, sleep-deprived and worried I’m about to be Noah-deprived as well. Even the smell of Sam’s freshly cut lawn isn’t enough to shake this gloom.

Sam must have heard me pull up to his house because he meets me at the door. He leans against the doorframe, crossing his muscular, tattooed arms, and gives me a dimpled smile. “Hey, Piper.”

“Hi, Sam.” I offer him the bouquet. “Here you go. I hope your grandma likes them.”

“I’m sure she will. How are you doing?” he asks. “It’s a hot one, isn’t it?”

“It’s supposed to be 103 in Junction today.”

He winces. “Glad we’re in the mountains.”

“Hopefully, it will be a little cooler for your niece’s birthday.”

“Kayla is planning a pool party, so the heat will be welcome.”

“Sounds quiet in there.” I nod into his house. “Are you free today?”

“My sister had the day off work, so I have a break from the kids.”

“Are you glad school is starting soon?”

“Nah, I enjoy having the munchkins around.” He pushes away from the doorframe. “You want to come in for a glass of lemonade or something?”

“I need to go. My brother is running errands with me today, and he’s waiting in the truck.” I take a few steps backward, preparing to leave. “But I’ll see you this Saturday, right?”

“I’ll be there.”

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