“I don’t know, you guys,” Nova sighs. “It’s not like it rips in just one place. My bear is so huge, anything I’m wearing when I shift is just a tattered mess afterward. I think I just have to accept it.”
We’re all seated at the bar. I’m not officially a bartender anymore, but I still like to help out from time to time.
I check my watch.
“Oh! I’ve got to go,” I say.
“Have fun on your date,” Lexi coos, as I grab my bag and duck under the counter. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”
“That doesn’t cover much, does it?” Xia chuckles.
Lexi bats her on the arm.
“See you all later!” I shout, as I make my way to the elevators.
I know all of the elevator codes now, so I’m able to access most of the secret floors. Even though I’ve been here a few times already, it’s still strange, going from the hazy, vampire nightclub atmosphere to the sleek office floor. Staff members (living and dead) are clad in professional attire. They move busily around the office, referring to files in their hands and talking on cellphones.
The executiveassistant sees me first. She looks up from her computer at the reception desk and tucks a strand of ashy blond hair behind her ear.
“Hi, Amara!” she says. “Celine is still in a meeting, she’ll be out in a few minutes.”
“Thanks, Lily,” I reply, leaning against the reception desk. “Busy day? Or night, I guess.”
“Oh, it’s always a busy day,” she chuckles, her agile fingers typing away. I’m amazed at her speed. I’ve tried to use a computer a couple of times, but I never got the hang of it. Magic is way faster.
“It must be strange working for a family of vampires,” I say.
“There’s never a dull moment, that’s for sure,” she says with a small smile, dimples forming on both of her round cheeks. “But I like it. Especially-”
“Lily!” Renata screeches, barreling out of her office in an immaculate ivory blazer and skirt. She towers even taller than me on pointed heels. She dumps a large stack of paperwork on her assistant’s desk.
Lily immediately stands up, her pale cheeks flushing pink.
“I need these forms requisitionedimmediately,” Renata snaps. “You won’t believe what Lexi has just dumped on me! Those ‘influencers’ that she invited to tour the hotel drank half of our supply of bloodwine, and the other half is flooding the ninth-floor spa as we speak. I’ll need you to work late again, it’s going to cost a fortune to clean all of that marble…”
“Of course, Ms. Espina,” Lily responds, taking the forms and touching her wireless headset. “Concierge, send a crew of cleaners to the ninth floor. Make sure you take the blood kit.”
She turns back to Renata, taping her headset again. “I’ll make sure it’s taken care of. We had a similar incident in the rooftop hot tub, so I put a team of cleaners on retainer that specialize in exactly this sort of job.”
Renata sighs deeply, writing something on her clipboard without looking at Lily. “Thank you, Lily. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Lily turns an ever brighter shade of pink, blushing right to the roots of her hair.
“More than happy to help, Ms. Espina,” she says, unable to take her eyes off the glamorous vampire CEO.
Renata finally looks up from her clipboard. “Oh! Hello, Amara. I think Celine will be out in a minute.”
“Thanks, Ren. We’re going for a ride. Would you like to join us? It looks like you could use a break.”
“Thanks, but there’s nowayI could get away from the business. There’s always something going on, and if I’m not here to fix it, nobody will. This place can’t operate without me. And Lily, of course. But have a good time!”
She gives me a nod, and disappears into her office, her heels clicking on the pristine white floor.
Lily sits back down, still staring at the vampire’s office door, a dreamy expression on her face.
“So…” I say to her. “Have you told Renata that you’re in love with her yet?”
“What?” Lily splutters, jumping slightly and immediately looking away from the door. “O-of course not…I mean, I’m definitely not…”
