Total pages in book: 12
Estimated words: 11248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 56(@200wpm)___ 45(@250wpm)___ 37(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 11248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 56(@200wpm)___ 45(@250wpm)___ 37(@300wpm)
“Of course. Are you sure you don’t want me to cover a few hours at the store?” Kristy and I co-own Novel Grounds, an indie bookstore, and I miss working. I haven’t been able to much — thanks to nonstop demon action.
“We’ll be fine. Though, if you want to stop by and hang out, I wouldn’t object. Especially if you can get Binx to wear the Santa hat again. People go crazy over him.”
“He loves it,” I say with a laugh. All my familiars enjoy acting like the normal house cats they pretend to be and eat up all the attention they get, enjoying getting fawned over. “Lucas and I are getting dinner at Maria’s...well, just me, I suppose. Want me to bring you back anything?”
“Yes, please! The vegetarian tacos with a side of rice. And a margarita if you can, ya know—” She holds up her hand and wiggles her fingers. “Work some magic to take one to go since they usually don’t let you leave with booze.”
I chuckle. “I can do that, and I’ll be a bit bitter as you drink it.”
“Hah. Get a virgin for yourself.”
“I plan to, but it’s not the same. Though oddly enough, just the thought of tequila makes me feel sick.”
I splay my fingers over my stomach. If you didn’t know me, you wouldn’t suspect I was pregnant yet, especially since my husband is a vampire who shouldn’t be able procreate, but my life is never that simple.
“I’ll have a baby next Christmas. That’s so fucking weird.”
“It is,” Kristy admits honestly. I’m not offended since this is the last thing we thought would happen. “I’m scared for her already. She’s only going to wear green and red the whole month of December, isn’t she?”
“I’ll throw in some silver and blue too.”
We both laugh.
“Speaking of holiday clothes, I need to get home and change so I can get over to the store before the festivities start.” Her blue eyes meet mine. “I’m glad you’re going tonight.”
She means it more than just a I’m glad to see my best friend kind of way. A lot of shit has hit the fan and I’ve kind of holed up in the house: worrying and planning and driving myself, and everyone around me, crazy.
“Me too. Today makes the official start of the twelve days to Christmas countdown and I’ve kind of run out of rooms to decorate. Though I’m considering doing a gingerbread theme in Lucas’s office once he’s sleeping.”
Kristy raises her eyebrows. “Not even I would be mad at him for draining you if you did that.”
I let out a snort, thinking of my minimalist husband walking in to find his office transformed into something out of Hansel and Gretel’s nightmares. “You know, I just might cast a glamour and set up a camera.”
“Okay, I might want to see that.”
“I’ll live stream it for you.”
I walk her to the door and give her a hug before she leaves. Then I go find Lucas, pausing in the doorway. He’s on the phone, speaking in another language. His eyes meet mine and my heart swells in my chest. Things are a fucking mess right now, but I know I can muddle through with him. Twisting my hair around my finger, I cross the room and sit in the window seat while I wait for him to finish his call. Gray clouds are stretching over the late afternoon sky, giving a promise of a thin blanket of snow. It will be melted by morning, but walking through the first day of the Holiday Festival while it’s snowing will be so perfect.
Shivering from being close to the window, I pick up a blanket and wrap it around my shoulders. The contractors recommended we replace the old windows of this century-old house when we did the renovations. But Lucas and I were both in agreement to keep as much of it original as possible —even though these old windows aren’t the most energy efficient.
Scarlet, who’s been snoozing by the large fireplace in the family room—I think it reminds her of the hellfire of her previous home—lazily plods in and comes over, lifting her head so I can scratch under her chin. I watch Lucas work while I pet my hellhound, who is disguised as an Irish Wolfhound thanks to Uncle Lucy.
It looks like Lucas is buying another property somewhere in Germany, maybe? He’s good at investing and has tried to explain it to me but it goes right over my head. Being nearly two-thousand years old has allowed Lucas to buy and sell properties over the years for a very large profit, and he turns around and invests that money in something else. I don’t stop and appreciate the business savvy side of him often enough. What can I say? He initially won me over with fangs, muscle, and bloodshed.