Page 76 of Vampires and Violas

“It’s hard to say. It might be someone watching you. It might be someone watching me. For all we know, it might be someone watching Cassian.”

I ponder that, thinking about everything Sophia said last night, realizing that’s likely.

“It’s a little surreal to think he’s a big, important prince,” I say. “To me, he’s just the house cat who started hanging around and never left.”

Noah frowns, looking out the window over the sink. “He took to you awfully quickly, didn’t he?”

“You really don’t have to worry about him. It’s never been like that between us, probably because he’s in love with Sophia, and I am—” I stop myself abruptly, looking at my nearly empty plate.

“You what?” Noah pushes away from the fridge and stands across the island, watching me.

“I’m not into large age gaps,” I say lightly, backpedaling for all I’m worth. “Several hundred years is just too much for me.”

“I don’t think that’s what you were going to say.” Noah smirks. “I think you were going to say youloveme.”

“Like you, maybe. I haven’t known you long enough to make such a big declaration.”

“But I’m wearing you down.”

“Don’t you need to go to work?”

He glances at the clock on the microwave. “I will as soon as Cassian gets here.”

“You mean my babysitter?” I wrinkle my nose, not liking that we’re back to this.

“Just until we figure out who’s been watching the house and why.”

“Oh…joy.”

Mildly disappointed I’ve eaten all the vegetables, I grab a yogurt from the fridge and prepare to head to my office. “I’m going to get to work. Don’t forget about tonight.”

“I won’t,” he promises. “Have fun with your flowers.”

“Have fun catching bad guys.”

Not terribly eager to start working, I look at my phone as soon as I sit down at my desk. Realizing I missed a text from Olivia, I call her.

“Hey,” I say when she answers. “I’m calling you back, as requested.”

“So…how was Denver?”

We texted back and forth a few times yesterday, but this is the first chance we’ve had to talk since Friday.

“It was great. But I have bigger news, and I’m not sure how to share it with you.”

“Uh oh,” she says. “Should I come by?”

“No, Cassian is on his way, and I kind of need to tell you this before he gets here.” I slip in my earbuds so I can work while we talk.

“What is it?” she asks, suddenly solemn.

“We met Cassian’s ex last night.”

“The crazy one?” Olivia gasps.

“She was…different. But not exactly crazy. And Livi…I think he’s still in love with her.”

“What’s she like?” Olivia asks excitedly. “Is she a criminal overlord? Or…overlady…. Overperson? Was she gorgeous? Did she wear black leather and scowl a lot?”

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