Free Save the Last Vamp for Me by Gayla Drummond Page B

definitely let you know.” I smiled, remembering a few “talks” we’d had. “One of her many talents: Talking down overblown egos.”
    “Maybe I should send Devon to her,” Logan muttered.
    Terra glared at him, so I hurried to speak before she let loose. “Would you give me the same advice?”
    “What?” Logan blinked. “Oh. No, I’d tell you that wolves have definite opinions about proper behavior. That if you think the two of you argue a lot now, just wait until you tell him you won’t live on pack territory. Nick doesn’t strike me as the lone wolf type, so he won’t go for that.” Logan frowned. “Then again, he and I don’t get along well, so anything I say, you should probably take with a grain of salt.”
    “Yeah, right. You only pointed out stuff I’ve already experienced.” I sighed. “You know, being an adult isn’t nearly as much fun as I thought it would be.”
    “It usually isn’t,” Mom agreed. “I do have a little bit of advice to throw in the pot. Do what feels right for you, and what will make you happy in the long run.”
    “Wow, I just realized how much you,” Terra poked Logan in the side, “sound like a parent.”
    “Um,” he glanced at my mom. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
    “Good plan,” Mom said, her eyes twinkling. “Now, I’m going to switch to boss mode. Let’s step up production, people, or we won’t finish today.”
    We stepped up production.
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    B y lunchtime, we’d managed to fill up both cars. Mom called a break. “We’ll eat, then Tonya and I will do a delivery run while you three get back to work.”
    “Aye aye, Captain.” I saluted her. “What’s for lunch?”
    “Chicken and dumplings with sweet cornbread.”
    “Ooh!” Tonya tied off another bag and stretched. “My favorite.”
    “Mine too.” I hurried to finish the bag I was working on. “Terra, if you and Logan like them, I’ll teach you how to make them.”
    “Cool.” Her bright smile caused a flash of guilt. I hadn’t exactly kept up with my promise of cooking lessons.
    “Maybe next Sunday? Would that work?”
    “I know you’re busy....”
    “I’ll come over at four, and we’ll make dinner,” I promised, trying to remember if they had a DVD player. “I can bring some movies too.”
    “Awesome.” She practically bounced out of the room, a gleeful smile on her face. They were keeping her under wraps big time, if she felt so pleased over my planned visit. I wasn’t that exciting of a guest.
    Maybe now that I had some time off from house hunting—I hoped, permanently—I could spend more time with her. Maybe take her places. Nothing like teleportation to keep a future Queen’s shopping itinerary secret.
    Listening to her chatter with Tonya as they served themselves, I decided to include her too, at least as often as possible. The chestnut-haired teen didn’t do much beyond helping Mom, working at the Blue Orb, and studying magic with David and Jo.
    I noticed Logan looking at me, and grinned. He automatically smiled back, but curiosity surrounded him like a cloud of too-strong cologne.
    Time enough later to run the idea past him, and see if he’d agree. Right now, there was food, fun company, and good work to finish.
    I even put aside my relationship woes to enjoy the rest of the day.

Nine

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    O n Monday, I picked up Soames before heading to the office. We arrived at three, and there was a new face at the reception desk. A pretty new face topped with burgundy hair. “Welcome to Arcane Solutions. How may I help you?”
    “Is Cordi,” Percy informed the woman behind the desk. The fact the parrot spoke to her, and nicely, meant that he liked her. “Cordi, this Tabitha.”
    “Hi.” Holy cow, we finally had a new receptionist. Kate had to be overjoyed. “Nice to meet you, Tabitha. This is Soames.”
    “Oh, hi. Nice to meet you too.” She had an infectious grin and twinkly blue eyes.