Page 58 of Fangs with Benefits

We sit shoulder to shoulder on the train ride home and when Elijah walks me to my door, he hands me the paper bag with my book as well as the two ornaments he bought earlier.

‘You didn’t have to get me those,’ I tell him. ‘In fact, it’s a little too much like a date if you keep doing things like that. And we’re just friends.’

‘Another birthday present, then,’ he says. ‘Plus, Dylan told me how much rent costs in this city and it frightened me.’

‘I hope you feel a little more human after a night on the town,’ I say, suddenly nervous to meet his eye.

He grabs the front of my coat and tugs me lightly towards him, and now I have to look at him. I’m blushing, I’m sure, but the cold always makes my nose and cheeks red, so I hope he can’t tell.

‘I would like-like to kiss you now,’ he says. ‘In a friendly sort of way. Not like I would if this were a date.’

‘Friends kiss,’ I agree, though I don’t actually kiss any of my friends. His dimple peeks out from his cheek, and I want to press my thumb into it. Instead, I let him pull me the rest of the way towards him again, like he’s done a few times now, and I fall into him like I have each time. It’s a feeling like a quiet hum instead of an electric zap, it must be the vampire thing. He must have a kissing superpower–it is the only explanation. I sink into it, his mouth so soft moving against mine, and press my lips together when he pulls away.

Elijah’s eyes search over my face and I’m halfway to inviting him in but hold myself back.

Friends.

‘Will you come for dinner tomorrow?’ he asks, without offering an excuse.

It’s too close to a date, but I nod anyway and his eyes light with delight. He kisses me again, then leaves, his scarf still around my neck, completely unaware of the tumult of butterflies happening in my stomach.

Texts between Dylan and Elijah on 13 November 2026

Elijah: Hope your trip is good so far.

Elijah: Anything I need to know about the appliances in the kitchen before I use them?

Elijah: I can use them, right?

Dylan: Why are you trying to use the kitchen appliances?? You know how to use the microwave

Elijah: I would like to use the stove and oven

Elijah: A cutting board, a knife, a pot, a pan, multiple mixing bowls, and at least three of the measuring cups

Dylan: ????

Elijah: I invited Molly to dinner. I am cooking.

Dylan: When’s the last time you cooked something??

Dylan: also… Molly you say?

Elijah: I have cooked before, though the facilities were different. I’m sure I can figure it out, I’ve been alive a very long time.

Dylan: I will send you some YouTube videos, I need you to watch them all the way through and then call me if you have any questions.

Dylan: pleeeeease do not burn my apartment down.

Dylan: just get takeout like a normal person

Elijah: I’ve located a fire extinguisher just in case.

Dylan: Sounds promising.

Chapter 21

Molly