Free Suckers Bite Back (San Francisco Vampires #5) (Vampires of San Francisco series) by Jessica McBrayer

That’s why I suggested a coffee house and why I’m driving myself. I plan on being home in an hour and a half.”
    Helena nods and Julian sits back down but Bast is having none of it. He looks like he swallowed something sour.
    “Even after what I just told you?” he asks softly, pain in his eyes.
    “Especially after what you said. I need a friend and I’m hoping I find one tonight. Our friendship started off rocky, but I hope to rectify that,” I say.
    Sebastian comes up to me and gently puts his hands on my shoulders. I shiver. It makes me feel so homesick for him. My eyes burn with the tears that will never come.
    “Lily, cherie, I don’t know if he will ever see you as just a friend. I worry for you.”
    I put my hand on his chest and he sighs and covers it with his own large hand. “I know you do,” I whisper sob.
    “Oh, cherie,” he says and pulls me into a hug. I let my head rest on his chest and forget our troubles for a minute before I pull back. I look at him, pleading with my eyes.
    “Go, make a new friend. But be vigilant. Be strong and call me if anything goes wrong, cherie, I will be there,” he says, his brows crease.
    “I will, Bast.” I straighten my hair and turn and face the room. “Ciao.”
    “Ciao, Lily,” Helena says.
    I leave the manse, taking my car, and head to the coffee house. Parking is easy to find this time of night. I pick a table near a window to watch for Mark but I don’t wait long. He arrives before my drink is ready.
    He leans in and kisses my cheek. He smells wonderful.
    “The Devil it’s good to see you in one piece and healthy,” he says, smiling down at me. He lets one finger trace my cheek, lingering for a second. This feels too good. Get a grip, Lily.
    “Hello, Mark. I really am fine now. Why don’t you order a drink and we’ll talk,” I say trying to keep the conversation neutral.
    He kisses my cheek again and leaves for the counter to place his order. I can see the barista flirting madly with him. He’s oblivious to her. Hmmm… That’s not the Mark I’ve heard about. The ladies’ man everyone talks about. I really hope he hasn’t set his sights on me. I need a friend badly, not another love interest. Though if I am honest I do know he is a notorious womanizer. He seems to care though. Maybe I am so desperate that that is what I see.
    “I picked up your order while I was there. Here you are.” He gently sits the super grande toffee mocha in front of me. Ooohh, I can feel the warmth coming off of it. I can’t wait to wrap my hands around it. As I do just that, Mark takes the seat across from me.
    “How do you feel, or I should say how did you feel when you woke up?” he asks me.
    “Like I had the mother of all headaches. But it went away eventually. And I freaked out when I realized I had lost three days. Honestly I was really depressed I had sunk so low,” I say lowering my voice and head.
    “Hey,” he says softly. “Look at me, Lily.” He tips my face up gently. “You have nothing to be ashamed of. You took a tumble and now you have to get back up on your feet. Don’t forget I gave you the brimstone. You have no idea how sorry about that I am.”
    “You know someone else said something similar to me today,” I say thinking of Sophie. “Why did you give me the brimstone when you knew how bad it could be for a vampire?”
    “That person must be incredibly smart and handsome too.” He grins.
    “Oh now you’re just fishing. And you didn’t answer my question.”
    “Well, yes.” I laugh at him, sip my mocha and relish the warm toffee chocolate coffee flavor moving down my throat. He puts his hand over mine.
    “Mark, umm… I really need a friend right now. I’m not looking for anything more at the moment. I’m sorry,” I say.
    He moves his hand back.
    “Understood. Lily, I would love to be your friend and have your friendship in return. I’d lie if I say I wasn’t hoping for more but I will take what I can get and be