Page 21 of Hunters and Hydrangeas

When he wanders into the living room, I take a deep breath. Slowly, the pressure in my gums subsides, becoming annoying instead of painful.

A text message makes my phone vibrate, distracting me from my irritation at being interrupted.

Cassian: Have you called in the prescription?

Piper: Sorry, I forgot. I’ll do it now.

With a sigh, I go through the pharmacy’s automated phone prompts. By the time I’m finished, Noah is done with his call, and he’s returned to the kitchen.

“Did Daniel figure out where Cassian’s mystery phone call came from?” I take two of the painkillers Dr. Martin prescribed.

“No, but he’s located Alfred.”

“Was he missing?”

“His family is based in Boston, but he’s rarely home.”

“So…where is he?”

“Miami.”

“As in Florida?” I ask, startled.

“Is there more than one?”

“I don’t know, maybe. What’s a vampire doing on the beach?”

“An excellent question—one I’m going to personally find the answer to.”

I don’t like the sound of that at all.

“You’re flying to Miami?” Uncomfortable, I shift my weight to my other leg, trying to act casual and not like a clingy girlfriend. “When?”

“As soon as possible. How long will it take you to get ready?”

I blink at him, processing the question a little too slowly—probably thanks to my blood shortage. “I get to go, too?”

Noah smiles, and it’s the adorable, affectionate one I love so much. “I’m not leaving you here alone—not with all the craziness we’ve experienced this summer.”

Normally, I’d be ecstatic. But my building excitement is tempered by irritation—because I have the opportunity to fly across the country to a summer paradise with the vampire of my dreams, andI can’t go into the sun.

“What’s with that look?” Noah asks, studying me.

“What’s the point of going to Florida if you can’t even visit the ocean?” I ask sullenly. “I’ve already done that, and it wasn’t great.”

“When did you go to Florida?”

“I was with Kevin, and we were visiting his family in St. Augustine. We never even made it down to the beach. We toured the historic area, ate out a few times, and then flew home.”

“Kevin sucked,” Noah says, not terribly concerned about speaking ill of the dead.

“Yeah.”

“We’ll go at night. Isn’t that a thing people do—moonlit walks on the beach?”

Uh…yes, please.

“Do you think we’ll have time?” I ask. “This is a work trip, after all.”

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