“Eight.”
Too early. It was the day after Christmas and I didn’t have anywhere to be until five. I would have liked to sleep till four. I’d stayed up late, trying to taunt Z.A. into leaving my body and fighting me. She’d ignored me, and I’d finally fallen into bed. Now I was tired. So very tired.
“I’m good. Thanks, though.”
“All right, then. I’ll be back in an hour or so.”
I put a pillow over my head. Heard footsteps. The whine of my door as it shut.
I wasn’t sure how much time actually passed before I heard cabinet doors banging shut, then silence, then the slam of the front door, as if Nana had left again.
I wanted to get up and investigate, but I just didn’t have the energy.
The doorbell rang.
I rolled out of bed, pulled a robe over my tank and shorts and stalked into the living room. Expecting Kat and a thousand questions about what had happened with Cole, since we hadn’t had a moment alone to talk, I opened the door. Gavin leaned against the frame, a formidable sight with his pale hair spiked back from his face and his eyes glinting ice.
He’d come over several others times, but I’d reverted to ignoring him.
“You need to stop avoiding me, and we need to talk about what happened the last time I was here,” he said.
“Okay,” I said, and moved aside. I could be brave. “Fine.”
He stomped his way inside, and I shut the door.
“Just...give me a few minutes first. I just got out of bed.” I raced into my room, brushed my teeth and hair, then threw on a T-shirt and jeans. I glanced at the mirror as I raced back out and gritted my teeth when I saw Z.A. grinning smugly at me.
I scowled at her. “Soon,” I told her. “We’re going to have a showdown.”
She smirked.
“You hungry?” I asked Gavin when I reached the living room. “You want some breakfast?”
He eyed me suspiciously, but said, “Sure.”
I put biscuits in the oven, fried bacon and whisked up some gravy. He watched me, but didn’t speak (or try to help). I didn’t push him. When everything was ready, I slid a plate in his direction.
“No eggs?” he asked.
“Wow. Your gratitude is humbling.”
A smile teased the corners of his mouth. “What? I like eggs.”
My lips twitched, as well. I hadn’t liked seeing him so formal. I sat beside him, and we dug into the food.
Finally he said, “I’ve been thinking about things, and I’m sorry I didn’t realize what was going on with you sooner...sorry I put my hands on you and tried for more than a few licks. I’ve gotten to know you over the past few months, and I should have realized you never would have made a move on me while your grandmother was a few feet away. And you did try to warn me.”
Wait. He was apologizing to me? Not what I’d expected. “Well, I’m sorry I tried to eat you.”
His lips stretched in a full-blown smile this time. “From anyone else, those words would be a turn-on. You, not so much.”
I laughed. “I have to admit, I’m a little surprised you didn’t kill me the moment you realized what was happening.”
“I won’t lie. I thought about it. I mean, I know you had pulled out of similar crazes before, but this was the first time one had been directed at me. Problem was, I would have had to go through Cole to get to you, and I would have had to kill him to get through him, because he wouldn’t have stopped shielding you any other way. That boy really loves you.”
I turned away to hide the elation surely shining in my eyes; someone else had noticed his feelings for me—and came face-to-face with Zombie Ali.
She stood beside me, and she was still grinning.
Looked like our showdown was today.
Heart slamming against my ribs, I pushed my spirit out of my body without any hindrance; chilly air enveloped me. As I shivered, I reached for her, but she giggled and darted behind the couch.
“You’re gonna get it now,” I said.
“Ali?” Gavin said.
“Do you see her?” I pointed.