I change out of my dress as I wait for his reply. I feel guilty that I’m here, buying nice outfits for someone who’s not my boyfriend. I guess he told me that he didn’t mind, but still…
It just feels so…differentwith Crimson. With Blake, I always have to fight for his attention, have to try and fit myself into his life. I’ve been living out of the city for a week and a half, and he’s barely bothered to text me or call in that whole time. Has he even noticed I’m gone? I can’t help feeling like he takes me for granted. It seems like he doesn’tseeme anymore.
Maybe he never did.
No, that’s not fair. Blake’s been with me for a long time. I owe him more than that.
I should reach out and make an effort. It takes two to make a relationship work.
I text him again.
I’m actually in the city today, at the Moon Valley Mall. Do you want to meet up for coffee?
He texts me back as I pull on my T-shirt and jeans.
Sure
Not super enthusiastic, but I’ll take it. Maybe I’m starting to become too picky, now that I’m used to the attention of a mansion full of vampires. I should try to be more appreciative.
Great! How about the coffee place on the first floor, by the entrance? In 30 minutes?
K, he replies.
Thirty minutes later, I’ve left Sean and Chelsie at a nearby boutique while I meet up with Blake.
He’s already at the café when I arrive, sipping a flat white.
“Hi, baby,” he says, leaning over to kiss me. For some reason, I’m not expecting it. His mouth is hot, a little bit of stubble grazing my cheek. His gaze travels lower, to my neck. “Oh, wow. That’s for real, huh?”
I look down, and realize he’s talking about my vampire bites. My cheeks get warm. I completely forgot he’d be able to see them. I wish I had tried to cover them up somehow. But he doesn’t look embarrassed by them. On the contrary, he seems impressed.
“That’s wild,” he says. “You really let them bite you?”
“Yeah,” I reply, feeling a little awkward. It’s bizarre to have my two worlds collide, but I suppose it was bound to happen at some point.This is healthy. It’s good for us to communicate. “It’s actually not as bad as I thought it was going to be. The mansion is really nice, there’s thisincrediblerestaurant, and I have a huge room all to myself! There’s a beautiful picture window I can read under.”
He snorts. “Of course you’d be in a vampire house, excited aboutreading.”
“Well, it’s been sort of nice to get away. And I’m making good money, better than when I was working at the coffeeshop.”
“How good?”
I tell him.
“Babe,” he gasps. “That’s amazing! Why didn’t you tell me? Now we candefinitelygo for that Europe trip.” He takes a gulp of his flat white, raising his eyebrows at me. “No more excuses, Paige!”
“Well…” I fiddle with the strap of my purse. “I don’t think I’ll be able to go to Europe, Blake. I need the money for Miles. For his treatment.”
Blake frowns at me. “Seriously, Paige? You’re going to blow all of that money on some overpriced rehab for your brother?”
His words are like a slap in the face. “It’s not overpriced rehab, Blake. We talked about this. It’s an evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment program for substance use. It’s going to help…”
He gives me a condescending look. “You can’treallybe falling for that bullshit. Listen, Paige,” he puts his drink down. “Your brother doesn’t need to be pampered. He needs to learn to grow up, to deal with his crap. If he wants to stop using, he’ll stop. If you keep coddling him, he’ll end up just like…”
I look at him sharply. “Just like who,Blake?”
“Aw, baby, come on…”
I know this is a bad idea, but I can’t stop myself. “Likewho?”
