I nodded and showed her the very strange contents of my purse. “You?”
“I had to flash a random Papa John’s delivery boy, but yes.”
“Why didn’t you just go to the store? The garlic sauce only costs like 55 cents.”
Chastity shrugged. “The girls needed some fresh air. Anyway, get your game face on. It’s time to learn all Tanner’s deepest, darkest secrets.”
Or get fired.
I got more nervous with every number that ticked by on the elevator ride up to Tanner’s office. This plan was completely ridiculous. But now that we’d bought the stuff, I felt committed to it. And there was no way in hell Chastity would let me back out. So instead of going to my desk, I went straight to Tanner’s office.
“Top of the morning to you,” he said.
I stared at him.Oh my God, he’s my soulmate.I thought I was the only person awkward enough to say something so strange!
He cleared his throat. “I mean, can I help you?” he asked. His dark eyes bore into me from behind his glasses, just like they always had back when he was stalking me. We no longer did that anymore. I mean…I still happened to take that route on my way to spin class, but Tanner was never there. And yes, I totally get how it might seem like I was stalking him because I was the one still showing up and he wasn’t. But whatever. Sue me.
“Hey,” I said, trying to pretend like I hadn’t just been staring at him for a solid 5 seconds. “I was hoping you could look through some of these graphics I’ve been working on for the winery.”
“Sure.” He walked around his desk and pulled a chair out for me. The scent of blueberries wafted over me. It made me want to lickhim from his head to his toes. Scratch that. Feet were dirty. But his cologne was divine.
We went through a couple of the logos that I’d mocked up for the rebranding of Mills Winery. Their new name was Wineflix and Chill. Which I thought was the most clever name ever. I was super excited to see what Tanner thought of the logos. But I had to play along with Chastity’s stupid game. I made a show of squinting to look at them. “Is it just me, or is it really dark in here?”
He gave me a funny look. “It’s just you. Do you feel okay?”
“Do you mind if I open the blinds?”
“Be my guest.”
“You’re sure?”You’re not going to melt in the sunlight, Mr. Vampire?
“I think? Now that you’re being weird about it, I’m kind of wondering if it’s some sort of trap. Did Chastity pay the window washer to work nude today or something?”
I winked at him. “Open it and find out.”
“No thanks. Anyway, I absolutely love these logos. Especially this one.” He pointed to his favorite. “Although I think the text should be pink instead of red.”
Hmm. Vampire test #1: inconclusive.Maybe Chastity’s crazy theory wasn’t that crazy after all. I agreed with him about the text color and then turned to the next page, purposefullyrunning my hand across the edge of the thick paper. I cringed as it sliced into my hand.
“Ouch!” I yelled.
“What happened?” he asked.
I held up my hand. “Papercut. Your damn paper is so thick that it could practically be considered a deadly weapon.”
“Those are the worst. Need a Band-Aid?”
“Papercuts don’t need Band-Aids,” I said. “Everyone knows that the only way to make a papercut feel better is to suck on it.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Really? Huh. I must have missed whenever it was announced that there was an updated treatment.”
“Yeah. But everyone also knows that lip-gloss stings like a bitch when you get it on a cut. So I’m in quite a predicament.”
“Are you trying to get me to suck on your finger?” His eyes dropped to the blood and I swore he licked his lips.
Vampire!“Ew, no. Don’t be a freak.” I eyed him suspiciously. That was the second vampire test that kind of pointed to him actually being a vampire. I needed to discuss this development with Chastity immediately. Especially because if he actually was a vampire…he might decide to kill me. “Excuse me for a sec.”
“So?” asked Chastity as I approached her desk.
