Page 66 of How a Vampire Falls

When Ryker read her second message, he nodded. “Already did, a couple weeks ago.”

“Oh… Was he okay with it?”

“Not at first.”

Leslie bit her lip. Getting along with Ryker’s best friend was so important, long-term. If only Ryker hadn’t clued her in. If only she hadn’t guessed—or at the very least, kept her guess to herself.

“Hey.” Ryker gave her free hand a quick squeeze. “I’m the one he wasn’t happy with. Not you. And after a day he said, ‘ifyou two work out, it’ll be fine.’ So…” His smile held equal parts mischief and sincerity. “It’ll be fine.”

They could have talked forever, but she made sure not to introduce any new topics so he could go home and sleep. After he drove away, she tapped a missed text message from Hannah, which she’d noticed when typing the note to Ryker.

Hannah:This is a reminder that you owe your bestie an update, and unlike you, said bestie has a bedtime. Have you met the parents yet?

Leslie smiled as she typed her response.

They’re super cool and super kind. Senna fed me caramel cake.

Hannah’s response was almost immediate.

Hannah:I’m so glad. You deserve the best in-laws.

You know what, I’m not eye-rolling that. He’s the one. Ryker is my one.

A row of party emojis came even faster than Hannah’s last reply. Then another row, then another row, then another row.

Laughing, Leslie typed while party emojis continued to pop up on her screen.

Woman, stop. Go to bed.

Hannah:I AM SOOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU MY AMAZING FRIENDDDDD

I’m happy for me too. Love you, friend.

Hannah sent a final row of hearts and party favors, and Leslie returned inside to her future in-laws. Neither Laurence nor Senna asked about the portion of conversation they must have heard between her and Ryker, when she’d done her best to be vague about Tai’s struggle.

They offered to let her retire to the room where she’d stay tonight. She wouldn’t need to sleep this weekend, but when she’d learned Ryker had skipped last night, she knew the worst thing she could do for him was spend tonight at his place. They would end up talking and kissing while he ought to be sleeping. He’d protested at first, then agreed too quickly, more proof he was wiped out.

“If y’all need to sleep or get work done or anything,” she told his parents, “I can entertain myself until six.”

“It’s really up to you,” Laurence said. “No one in this family is an introvert, but we know some folks need social breaks.”

That was courteous. “I definitely qualify as an introvert, but I’d love to keep talking, if you want to.”

Senna gave Leslie the slightly mischievous, wholly sincere grin she had passed on to her son. “You’re in the right place, Leslie. Can I get you anything else? Tea, coffee, wine?”

“Oh, don’t go to any trouble.”

Senna pinned her with a gaze of motherly challenge, eyebrows arched and mouth briefly pressing into a line. “I wouldn’t describe pouring you a beverage astrouble.”

“Well, coffee is my preference, but I only drink it cold.”

Senna clasped her hands in satisfaction. “I have cold brew. How do you take it?”

“Black.”

“Good for you.” With a nod so firm she might have been solidifying some court strategy, Senna darted off to the kitchen.

“I did tell you,” Laurence said with a chuckle that managed to boom from his chest despite being low in volume.

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