Page 3 of Vampires and Violas

“No.” I toss my purse strap over my shoulder and head for the front door while the others stand around in depressing little pre-vamp groups.

“You could forgive him, you know.” Cassian follows me out the door. “It’s almost been a month.”

“He lied to me,” I remind him as I walk down the driveway.

“Yes, but you lied to me just now, and I’m willing to let it go.” Cassian smirks when I glare at him, opening the door to an expensive Lamborghini that used to belong to my stalker. I haven’t asked him how he came into possession of it. I’m not sure I want to know. “And did he ever tell you hewasn’ta vampire?”

“No, but a lie by omission is still a lie.”

It’s mid-July, and the air is warm even though it’s almost eight in the evening. Marilyn and her husband live in a newer subdivision on the west side of town, with large stucco and rock houses, nice landscaping, and young trees. There’s only room in the drive for three cars, so most of us parked on the street.

The Lamborghini looks a little out of place, and a guy gawks at it as he and his kids ride by on their bikes.

“He misses you,” Cassian says when he slides into the driver’s seat, oblivious to the attention we’re receiving.

Scowling, I click my seatbelt into place. “I’m glad our parting could bring the two of you back together.”

“Believe me, you ditching him because he’s a vampire has done nothing for our friendship.”

His tone catches my attention, and I turn to him. “Why do you soundguilty?”

“You seem hungry, bunny. Want a salad? We can try the new farm-to-table restaurant that just opened near the hot springs. It has a hipster vibe. We might run into your friend Dylan.”

“Don’t call me that, and Dylan is not my friend. Also, when is the administration office going to assign me a real conservator?Ethan and Reid are in jail. I don’t need your special brand of protection anymore.”

“Maybe I should get some wire-rimmed glasses,” Cassian muses, ignoring me. “What do you think? Is it time I enter my hipster phase?”

“The hipster phase is over. You’ve got to keep up.”

“Then what is Dylan?”

“A schmuck.”

“Did you take your blood this afternoon?”

“Yes.”

“You sure? You’re rather grouchy. Now tell me the truth—would I look good with glasses?” The vampire looks over at me, posing with his chin resting on his fingers like he’s deep in thought.

“Of course you would. You’d look good in a trash bag.”

He nods, humble as always. “I can’t do smoothies, but maybe I should start drinking pour-over coffee and correcting people when they say coffee is a bean?”

“Please don’t. Besides, doesn’t coffee give you indigestion?”

“Sadly, it does.”

“Then this conversation is pointless.”

Cassian laughs, abundantly amused. “Youarein a bad mood today.”

“I don’t want to keep going to these stupid support groups. They’re depressing and awkward. I don’t need to know the intimate details about Shanda’s love life.”

“You have to attend the next one—it’s at your house.”

“Only because you added me to the rotation when Marilyn sent the clipboard around last week.”

He shrugs. “Maybe you wouldn’t be so irritated with Shanda if you had a boyfriend of your own.”

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