Page 42 of All Yours

Camden wandered up behind Lauren and wrapped his arms around her. “Mummy attack,” he growled and buried his face into her neck and Lauren squealed in delight.

“Why would a mummy attack a person?” Sloane asked. “I mean, vampires go for necks and zombies need brains. But what do mummies do?”

“Wait, Camden’s a mummy? I asked.

They all stared at me.

“What did you think I was, all wrapped in toilet paper?” Camden asked.

“An ass wipe.”

The group roared with laughter, even Camden.

He flipped me off, then returned to his phony attack. “I don’t know what other mummy’s do, but I eat Lauren.” Camden winked and tightened his grip around her middle and snarled. Lauren squealed again and made less than a convincing attempt to get away from Camden.

I looked away. Not that I was jealous of Camden, per se. It’s that I hadn’t had that kind of playfulness with anyone else in a long time. When Sloane was in my arms that morning, everything clicked. I’d come here intending to not blow another shot with Sloane, but what if I was wrong about what she wanted? Did she regret what had almost happened? Was she looking for a way to let me down easily? Is that why she was pounding down alcoholic drinks? We had a three-year friendship that I could lose if things went wrong in a romantic relationship. But God help me, I wanted more with that woman.

Chapter Fifteen

Sloane

Jonah’s face had turned serious in the blink of an eye. “Everything alright?” I asked, fiddling with the hem of my rented flapper dress. I’m not sure that I’ve ever worn a red dress in my life. It’s such a flashy color, and I prefer life as the wallflower.

“Yeah, I’m good.” His face softened, but shadows still played at the corners of his eyes. It could be the exhaustion. He came out to my house in the middle of the night, worked all day, replaced my door, and still showed up for a Halloween party.

“You know, if you’re too tired, you don’t have to stay.” I took a sip of my fourth Vampire Kiss Cocktail. It was my liquid courage to make a move on Jonah tonight, and here I was, giving him the go-ahead to leave. But it wasn’t fair to make him stay if he was too tired.

His dark brown eyes locked on mine for a moment, stealing my breath. “I want to stay with you,” he said, voice low and husky. “I may not drink much, still have to drive.”

“Is the Zombie drink good?”

He smiled. “It’s strong. I think they call it a Zombie cocktail cause too much of this will turn you into a zombie.”

“I don’t think that’s how it works,” I giggled. “’Cause I’d be in grave danger of turning into a vampire and biting you.” The Vampire Kiss was one of those drinks that went down smooth, and if you weren’t careful, you’d be drunk in minutes. And I was a prime example.

“That’s a chance I’m willing to take.”

“You’re silly.” I batted his arm.

“A few nibbles sound like fun.” He waggled his eyebrows, grinning.

“I’m not sure you understand vampires.” Okay, so was he making a move on me?

“Go for it,” Eden whispered in my ear. I shouldn’t have discussed with them what happened with Jonah that morning. But, in my defense, Eden’s the one that blabbed to Lauren, and they forced me to talk about it. Lauren’s laughter floated through the cloud. Camden occupied her attention now.

“Why don’t you go find a guy?” I whispered back to Eden.

“Nah, I’m done with men. Besides, he’s flirting.”

“Do you see the irony there?”

“What? I can be happy for others while not wanting that at all for myself.” She shrugged.

“What are you two whispering about over there?” Jonah asked.

“Nothing,” we said in unison.

“That’s not at all suspicious,” Jonah said, taking a swig of his drink.

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