“Yes, please,” Lisa said softly, her cheeks once again tinged with red.

A joyous smile took up residence on Bennett’s face, and she left without saying a word.

***

“Have you had enough?” Bennett said, reaching for Lisa’s empty plate.

“Now who’s asking rhetorical questions?” Lisa said, pushing the plate to Bennett. “Please tell me I didn’t just consume like four-thousand calories.”

“Probably only three, but who’s counting,” Bennett said matter-of-factly.

Lisa’s cheeks heated. “Bennett, I don’t think I’ve ever eaten that much in my entire life,” she said, her eyes drawn to the white pastry box. “And you need to get that away from me, or none of my clothes are going to fit by the time Ruby gets them here. Geez.”

“They’ll fit,” Bennett said, putting the box on the opposite counter. “Part of your hunger stems from being turned. Your body is adapting, Lisa. It’s got power it’s never had before, and since you said you hadn’t eaten since yesterday afternoon, between that and the vampirism, it explains your…um…your—”

“Gluttony?”

“I was trying for something a little less candid.”

“Bennett, you just watched me eat a four-egg omelet, two slices of toast, a sticky bun, a turnover, and a cannoli. I’m a pig.”

Bennett tipped her head back and laughed. “You’re definitely not a pig, and you had two cannoli. Not one.”

“If you’re trying to make me feel better, you seriously need to work on your delivery,” Lisa said, pouting.

“Sweetheart, if there were ever a paradoxical affliction, it’s vampirism. By now, you’re aware it heightens our senses. We can see in complete darkness. We can hear heartbeats and blood flowing through veins, and we’re tremendously faster than the average mortal. It also enhances our ability to taste and to savor, and that partially explains your appetite. It’s like a smoker who quits, and suddenly, flavors are new and delectable.”

“Okay, that makes sense.”

“And along with those things, our metabolism is far greater than mortals, so that gargantuan meal you just consumed won’t add but a few ounces, and those will burn off quickly.”

“Really?” Lisa squeaked.

“Yes, but as much as it augments some things, vampirism dulls, slows, and even stops others.”

“You mean like the fact the last period I had was the last period I’ll ever have?”

Bennett cocked her head to the side. “How did you know about that?”

“Max mentioned it one day.”

“You spoke to Max about that subject?”

“No, vampires in general. Bennett, once I made my decision, I wanted to learn all I could. Dad told me everything he knew, and once you and Max came back to Boston, I asked if he’d fill me in on the rest. That’s how I know about the period thing.”