Page 83 of Blood of Night (The Thorne Hill)

“And I’m bringing you dinner. Is something from Maria’s okay?”

“Guys, an old as fuck vampire is attacking people inmytown and demons are trying to open the Gates of Hell. I don’t have time for a taco night.”

“Cal,” Kirsty says sternly. “High stress puts you at risk for postpartum depression. I’m shit friend for not thinking of that before. Your life is filled with constant stress and danger and then losing Lucas…” She looks away, wiping away a tear.

“I don’t think I’m depressed,” I say. “Just really, really angry.”

“You can’t pour from an empty cup, Callie. We’re taking you home and we’re going to spoil the crap out of you, okay?”

It honestly sounds fucking wonderful to spend an evening with Kristy and Lucas, and I’m suddenly starving. I had breakfast and then one bowl of mac ’n cheese with Abby, but that’s not enough calories at all for me at the moment. “I do like tacos.”

“I’m going to put in an order,” Kristy presses and looks at Lucas, who nods and sets me down but doesn’t step away yet. I’m feeling annoyingly weak and human at the moment and I know Kristy and Lucas are right.

I’m about ready to crack, and I have to get my shit together so I don’t accidentally fly myself to a warm and sunny beach when demons attack, leaving my family and friends behind. Once the immediate threat is over, I’ll work on flying myself somewhere that doesn’t require an expensive plane ride home in case I can’t figure out how to fly back.

“I’m okay,” I tell Lucas.

“You don’t have to be,” he reminds me, tipping my chin up to his. He closes the distance between us and rests his forehead against mine. “You don’t have to be okay all the time, my love. No one is and no one expects you to be.”

I bring my hands up, resting them on his waist. “I love you,” I whisper.

“And I love you.” He puts his lips to mine, gently kissing me. “We are going to get through this by focusing on one thing at a time.”

“Okay.” I force myself to take a deep breath in, hold it, and let it out. Lucas stands there with me for another moment, making sure I’m not going to fall over when he lets go. The dizziness is fading, and I’m feeling more like myself again.

“How many tacos do you want?” Kristy asks.

“Two.”

“I’m ordering you three. And a cheese enchilada. Want a to-go pitcher of virgin margs?”

“Yes please. Strawberry?”

“Of course.” She looks back at her phone, putting in the rest of the order. “It should be ready in about twenty minutes. If you want to head home, I’ll get it and will meet you there.”

“Don’t you have to close up the store tonight?”

“Nope. I just came in to work on the display, but it can totally wait a day or two.”

“Maybe I can come back tomorrow morning and help with it?”

Kristy smiles. “I’d love that. You’re better at arranging stuff than I am.”

“I do make a killer window display.” I take in another breath, hold it, and let it out. My pulse is settling back down, and I take Juliet from Kristy. Deciding to kill our time in the store, I go back up front where both Betty and Danielle gush over Juliet.

Lucas takes her to the children’s section, picking a book at random before sitting in a rocking chair so he can read to her.

“That is the sweetest and hottest thing I’ve seen all week.” Danielle tips her head, watching Lucas read to his daughter. “Not that I’m hitting on your husband or anything,” she adds quickly.

“It’s okay,” I laugh. “He is quite the catch and there is something about a man with a baby.”

“Does it make you want another?”

“No.” I widen my eyes and shake my head. “Pregnancy isn’t my cup of tea. I don’t know if that’s awful to admit or not but it’s how I feel. Some women enjoy being pregnant, but I did not at all.”

“I don’t think it is. What I do think is awful is the way women feel like they have to enjoy suffering just because they’re pregnant.”

“Oh, totally. Like you’re less of a woman because you don’t enjoy it. It’s fucked up.”

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