Free Dead End Dating by Kimberly Raye Page A

different. They’re human. Or at least they once were. And if they happened to be fat or thin or tall or short or if they’d had their hair dyed a ridiculous red or cut in a pixie bob when they were turned, that’s the way they stayed. For all eternity.
    Ouch.
    The woman was definitely plump by today’s standards.
    Then again, most everyone was plump by today’s standards.
    Her gaze met mine, and I heard the words again in my head.
    “Ask for Janice.”
    I turned back to the counter and gave the clerk another mesmerizing smile. “Could I, um, speak to Janice, please?”
    “You can speak to whomever you’d like, but she won’t be able to do anything for you. We have strict policies here.”
    “Obviously, but I’d like to speak with her anyway. Just to say hi. She’s an old friend of a friend, and I wouldn’t want her to think I had stopped by without so much as a hello.”
    She gave me a suspicious look before finally shrugging. She disappeared. A few seconds later, another woman wearing the same mini white tank top and capri pants appeared. She had delicate bone structure, short blond hair, and a certain awareness that glittered in her hazel eyes.
    Her stare collided with mine, and I saw a spurt of hunger. “Yes? Can I help you?” Her voice was breathy and inviting and I knew then that Janice was either (a) lesbian or (b) bisexual. Because she wanted me. Bad.
    While I don’t swing both ways myself, I’ve never been one to let opportunity pass me by.
    I projected my thoughts again and went through the program the gift card spiel.
    Instead of giving me a PMS look, she smiled, took a fresh, shiny gold card from the top drawer, slid it into the register, and keyed in several numbers. A few seconds later, she held up the card, now good for another twelve visits.
    I felt a small niggle of guilt. It wasn’t like I was stealing or anything. I fully intended to pay for the visits—in full—with my first big Dead End Dating windfall. Until then…
    Hey, what was the point of being a vamp if you couldn’t be a little vampy once in a while?
    I took the gold card, gave Janice my most dazzling smile, and slid the treasure into my purse.
    “I’ll let Dirkst know you’re here,” she said.
    “I’d appreciate that.” I started to turn, but Janice’s voice stopped me.
    “I’m sure he’ll be right with you.”
    “That’s fine.” I started to turn again.
    “He’s always on time, but I’ll hurry him up just in case.” She winked. “Just for you.”
    “Thanks.”
    “No problem.”
    “Very good.”
    “I’ll be right back.” She gave me a little wave.
    “I’ll be here.” I waved back and hurried toward the waiting area before she found something else to say.
    “Thanks,” I said as I slid into the seat next to the made vampire. “I think.”
    She smiled. “She can be a pain, but if you’re female and you’re low on cash, she’s the person to see.”
    I settled into my chair. “I don’t know what I would have done if I’d missed my spray session with Dirkst.”
    “Is he that good?”
    “He has the biggest gun in New York, and, unlike most men, he knows how to use it.”
    She smiled. “Glad I could help.”
    “My name is Lil. Lil Marchette.”
    “I’m Esther. Esther Crutch.”
    Yow. And I had issues with my name?
    “So what are you in for, Es? Massage? Steam bath? Oatmeal facial?”
    “I’m having my thighs wrapped.”
    There weren’t too many things that caught me off guard. But this did the trick. “But you’re a vampire,” I pointed out.
    “I know.”
    “A made vampire.”
    “I know.”
    “Don’t, um, take this the wrong way, Es, but the way you are is the way you’re going to be. Now and forever.”
    “I know that, too.” She sighed. “But I keep hoping. I mean, they have so many new, innovative treatments these days. One of them is bound to stick, right?”
    Wrong.
    “I can’t be doomed to fat thighs and cellulite for the rest of eternity, can I?”
    Yes was there on