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But she was already off the bed frantically gathering clothes to rush off into the bathroom. And I did have a contract I needed to fulfill.

With a sigh, I climbed off the bed and found the garment bag I’d gone down to the car to fetch sometime between the second and third round of sex the day before.

A shower would have been ideal.

Vampires didn’t need them, per se. We didn’t sweat or smell. But some human habits had stuck with me through all the centuries. A shower in the morning or before a big event felt like mental preparation for the day.

But Maggie was in the bathroom mumbling to herself as she viciously raked a brush through her hair and tried to slather on makeup she didn’t need with impatient hands.

By the time she came out wearing simple slacks and a shirt with KPRN’s logo on it, I was dressed and waiting at the door.

We got to the lobby around the same time as Tess and Margo, the former’s eyes widening as she spotted Maggie.

“Maggie… are you… late?” she teased. It was right then that Margo not-so-subtly elbowed the demon in the ribs and nodded toward me. “Oh. Oh. I mean, I guess if I was riding a frozen disco stick, I’d be late too.”

“Tess!” Maggie hissed.

Tess gave her friend a shrug.

“Here, give me your keys,” she said to me. I figured she was going to bring my car around so I didn’t risk frying outside. But she tossed them to Maggie instead. “You go ahead with Margo. Count Fangula and I will catch up in a few minutes.”

“Tess.” Maggie’s voice held warning.

“You’re two minutes later already,” Tess said.

She knew her friend’s weak spots too well. Maggie shot me an apologetic look before turning and running out the doors.

Tess followed out more slowly, then pulled her car up in the shade of the carport. Her windows looked tinted enough to prevent any actual risk of burning up.

As soon as I climbed in, she hit the locks and shot me a look.

“This is a convertible.”

“I noticed.”

“And the only reason it’s not opening and exposing you to some very unhealthy UV rays is because Maggie seemed happier this morning than yesterday.”

“Tess…”

“Nope. I’m the one talking here. That girl is my best friend. And she’s the salt of the earth. Best person I know. Which is saying a lot. I’ve lived a long time.”

“I know that feeling,” I agreed.

Tess ignored me.

“And I get that the love-hater thing is your whole schtick. But that girl deserves love. Big love. Can’t-sleep-without-her love. Burn-the-world-down-for-her love. Grand-gesture love.”

“We’re naming book tropes because…”

“Because they’re not tropes, you idiot. They’re real life.”

“Have you ever had them?”

Her gaze cut to mine, the red around her irises burning brighter for a second.

“Yes.”

Right.