Page 43 of Vampires and Violas

Piper: No, you guys have fun.

Well, heck.

“Never mind,” I say to Olivia. “Have a good time with Cassian. Just nottoogood a time.”

“He’s seeing Emma tonight, isn’t he?” she demands.

“Sorry,” I murmur, wondering if I should quietly tell Max Olivia is crushing on him. But I won’t betray her trust like that.

I’m making my way through the men’s section of a store, hating every tie, button-up, and logo T-shirt I pass, when I seeit—Noah’s gift.

A gift that is way too expensive to be friend territory but too perfect to pass up.

Olivia follows my eyes to the black leather jacket. “Oh, that’s nice.”

“His last one got destroyed by Ethan’s thug, remember? The night he was shot.” I run my hand down the soft leather sleeve. When I find the price tag, I nearly choke.

“Two hundred dollars?” Olivia says. “Yikes.”

“And that’s with the two-hundred-dollar outlet store discount,” I murmur. “I don’t know.”

“I don’t think you’ve ever spent that much on yourself,” my best friend says. “I distinctly remember you waffling about that fifteen-dollar can of hairspray last month.”

She’s right—I’m frugal. It’s kind of my thing, and a necessity. I love my job, but flowers aren’t exactly a cash cow.

“I did really well at the market last night,” I say, contemplating it. “And itismy fault his last jacket was destroyed.”

“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you’re even thinking about it. You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

I shoot her a look. “No.”

“Okay, but you’re in serious like.”

I laugh because she’s ridiculous. “Besides, I have a little extra since Noah is paying me rent.”

“Then get it. It’s really nice.”

Nibbling my bottom lip, I pull out my phone again. After snapping a picture of the jacket, I text Cassian.

Piper: Do you think Noah will like this? It’s for his birthday.

Cassian: Have I been upgraded to wingman status?

Piper: Just answer the question.

Cassian: He’ll love it.

Piper: I heard you’re seeing Olivia tonight. Behave yourself, or I’ll stake you.

All the wretched vampire sends back is a winking emoji. Which, frankly, isn’t very reassuring.

“Well?” Olivia asks.

“He says I should go for it.”

“Do it then. Be brave.”

I pull the hanger off the stand and clutch the jacket to my chest, nervous.

---