Page 82 of Vampires and Violas

“Meeting Noah,” I answer.

NIHA’s pretty receptionist meets my eyes, lifting her dark brows like she’s about to convey something. “Ashlyn is with him right now.”

“Oh…great.”

Emma stands and leans over the counter, which is a task when she’s as petite as Sophia. Dropping her voice, she says, “Just between you and me, you might want to stake a claim on your man because that woman is tenacious.”

I grunt, turning away from the group. “Which way is his office?”

Emma gives me instructions, and I walk through the halls, somehow finding my way.

I hear Ashlyn’s voice before I find the office. Following her lilting tones, I stop at the open door, not loving the scene in front of me.

Ashlyn is perched on the edge of Noah’s desk, sipping a cup of coffee, looking like she’s been there most of the afternoon and has no plans to leave. Noah stares at his laptop as she chatters at him, stony-faced.

When he sees me in the doorway, he lifts his eyes and presses his lips into a thin line—the hot vampire version of Grumpy Cat. His face says it all: get this woman off my desk.

And I love him for it.

“Piper!” Ashlyn exclaims when she sees me. “What are you doing here?”

“Noah and I have to meet a potential client.”

“For your flower business?” Looking flummoxed, she glances at Noah and then back at me. “You’re going together for that?”

As I try to figure out how to answer, Noah says, “I don’t like my girlfriend meeting strangers alone. Call me paranoid.”

The room goes silent.

And, no, I haven’t agreed to date him. And, yes, that was super cocky and presumptuous.

But inside, I’m purring.

Ashlyn’s eyes fly wide. When she finally finds her tongue, she demands, “Girlfriend? When did that happen?”

“It’s taken far too long.” He stands. “I’m done for the day. Are you ready to go, Piper?”

Looking like she was smacked with a semi-truck, Ashlyn wobbles to the door. “Okay, well. Have a good night…”

“Bye, Ashlyn,” I say, feeling a little bad. Not a lot. But you know. A little.

When she’s halfway down the hall, I close the door and smirk at Noah. “That wasn’t very nice.”

“What wasn’t?”

“You know she likes you.”

“But I don’t like her.” He rounds the desk to stand in front of me. “Do you know how many subtle hints I’ve tried to give her today that I’m not interested?”

“I’m not your girlfriend,” I remind him.

“No?” He looks down at the potted succulent I’m holding. “Then why are you bringing me a plant?”

I bite my bottom lip to contain my smile. “No reason.”

He takes the pot and walks to his desk. Then he shoves Ashlyn’s plant aside and sets mine in the place of honor, right next to his computer.

“You’re doing it again,” I say with a sigh.

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