“Bennett, Dad told me how a few women in your past, like Desiree and Eliza, became…well, less than nice once they became vampires. I’m pretty sure that’s why you’ve fought so hard in trying to change my mind about my choice and why you couldn’t turn me last night. You were afraid I’d become a monster like them—right?”

“I should have abided by your wishes.”

“Yes, you should have, but I’m not asking for an apology. I’m asking if what I’m assuming is correct.”

“It is.”

Lisa’s heart grew ten times larger. “You don’t know how happy that makes me,” she said, putting aside her coffee. “That means you have feelings for me.”

Bennett swallowed hard. “Of…of course, I have feelings for you, Lisa. I like you. You’re a brilliant curator and a trusted—”

“That’s not what I mean, and you know it. And Ruby said this would be hard for you, so how about if I make the first move?” Lisa went over to Bennett and looked the woman in the eye. “This is me making the first move.”

Lisa’s robe had gaped, and Bennett found herself drawn to the curves of the creamy breasts coming into view, and then she felt Lisa’s breath on her face. Bennett’s eyes flew open wide, and clambering to get away, she climbed over the back of the sofa and sprinted to the desk. “Lisa, what the hell are you doing?”

“I thought that was obvious,” Lisa said, slowly making her way around the sofa. “Bennett, I’m in love with you.”

“No, you’re not,” Bennett said, shaking her head.

“So says you,” Lisa said, her eyes shimmering with whimsy.

“Lisa…look…what you’re…what you’re feeling is being brought on by the vampirism. It…it amplifies everything including…including certain…um…certain urges that are, no doubt, foreign to you.”

“Oh, what I’m feeling is far from foreign, Bennett, and as far as doubting goes, you need to stop doubting what I’m saying.”

As soon as Lisa came within a few feet of her, Bennett dashed to stand behind the desk, rolling the chair between her and Lisa. “What you’re saying is rubbish, Lisa. You’re not in love with me. It’s the vampirism talking. You’ve got to believe me.”

“What I believe is that you’re describing lust, Bennett, and I’ll admit that’s part of what I’m feeling, but it’s there because I’m in love with you. It didn’t just appear because Ruby brought me back to life. It’s there because it’s been there for years, because I’ve been in love with you for years.”

“No, you’re wrong. You’re straight, Lisa. You have Jimmy. Remember?”