Page 26

A shower wasn’t enough to wash off the disappointment of losing. Sleeping hadn’t been, either. But I didn’t have a choice other than getting over it. Thanks to Blade’s victory, Tess was back. And now, fixing things with her was my only priority.

A big breakfast wouldn’t do the trick, but at least it was a start. On today’s menu, we had BLTs with fried green tomatoes, soft scrambled eggs, and a sausage hash brown casserole.

Was it a bit overkill? Maybe. But Fright Night always burned off a ton of energy, and I was worried about how thin Tess had gotten since leaving Feverpoint. Plus, if I knew anything, it was that a home-cooked meal was the fastest way to a girl’s heart.

Maybe I should make a fruit salad to be safe?

Before I could clear the pantry of all its produce, a door creaked open down the hallway. My heart fluttered as soft footsteps padded forth and a fluffy, blonde bob peeked past the doorway.

Fuck, she’s gorgeous.

It wasn’t a surprise: just a sight for sore eyes. Our weeks of watching Tess had been a painful reminder of just how beautiful she was. But seeing her up close instead of through a tinted window was enough to take my breath away.

Tess was always beautiful, but there was something particularly butterfly-inducing about the way she looked when she’d just woken up: pouty lipped and frizzy-haired with little smudges of her mascara still stuck at the corner of her eyes.

Before Fright Night, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get to see her like this again, which made the sight all the sweeter.

“Morning…” Her narrowed eyes widened as they dropped to my torso, which was bare except for some chest tape. I hadn’t meant to show off — the kitchen got hot, and the sweat was easier to manage without a shirt suffocating me.

Still, seeing the effect that my body had on her didn’t hurt.

Clearing her throat, she redirected her gaze to the living room, screwing back on a disinterested gaze as she took stock of the apartment. Her shoulders eased slightly when she realized I was the only one out here.

At my feet, Butch rubbed against my leg — hoping for some scraps that might fall to the floor.

But the drumming of her fingers against her crossed arm told me that I made her nervous, too.

“Breakfast?” I asked, pulling out a stool for her.

Frowning, she took a seat while I hustled to whip her up a plate. Sliding it across the counter along with some cutlery, I prepared myself for the fact that she might not eat it. Last time, it had taken days of prodding to get her to accept a meal from me without questioning it.

But to my surprise, she lifted the fork to her lips uncritically, taking a hearty bite of the sausage hash.

Maybe not all is lost after all.

While she ate, I turned my attention back to the stove, only sparing her occasional glances as I worked. I didn’t want to push my luck by coming on too strong. I was lucky that she wasn’t taking the meal back to her room and hiding from me for the next month.

Blade, however, didn’t believe in reservation.

“Thank god you’re back!” She bounded down the hall, popping into the stool beside Tess and scooching a bit closer than was socially acceptable. “This place was so fucking dull without you.”

“Good morning to you too,” I passed her a plate. “You’re on clean up, by the way.”

“Mhm,” she nodded absently, shoving a handful of eggs into her mouth before I could grab her a fork. Her eyes were locked on Tess, who had yet to acknowledge her presence. I had a feeling that the return of our Sweet Lamb would make Blade’s attention harder to hold than ever.

If Blade doesn’t scare the poor girl off first, that is.

“Take a fork, you animal,” I dropped the utensil in the middle of her plate with a clatter. “And did you hear me about cleaning up?”

“Yes, yes.” Blade waved me off, picking up a hunk of sausage with her fingers.

As much of a hard time as I gave her, though, Blade knew exactly how to make our girl laugh. Tess shook her head, smiling down at her plate. “Not even going to try to seem civilized, huh?”

Blade shook her head, “No need for pretenses among friends.”

“Are we friends?” Tess raised a brow.

“I sure hope so,” Blade shrugged, “Or the next month is going to be reaaaaaally awkward.”