He was the only thing that hadn’t whirled away when everything started spinning. He was the only

thing nailed down, and I was not letting go. Not ever, not if I could help it.

“I like you,” I muttered against his pulse, moving my lips carefully so my teeth didn’t get any funny

ideas. “I like you a lot, Graves.” You’re all I’ve got, now. When it gets right down to it. “I, you

know, I just really like you.”

Then I could have kicked myself. Way to go, Dru. “I like you” is all you can say?

“Things are messed up.” His breath was a warm spot in my hair. “You know. I don’t want to, well,

pressure you.”

Oh, that is so not even a concern right now. “You shouldn’t worry. You’re the only decent boyfriend

material I’ve found in, like, sixteen states.”

“You’re picky.” There was the sarcasm. Goth Boy was himself again.

“I have good taste, okay? I like you, Graves.” I stopped myself from saying Edgar again, with an effort of will.

“I like you too. I just, we should be careful. See what happens. Okay?”

Sure. All right. “Okay.” What does that mean?

Apparently it meant he was going to untangle himself from me. Which he did. He slid off the bed,

not looking at me, and headed for the bathroom. I watched him walk away, in that weird way guys

have when they’re feeling you watch them. I should have said something, but what? What the hell

could I say?

He shut the door, and I lay there for a few seconds breathing, before he turned the water on and I

heard him brushing his teeth.

Had he just suddenly figured out he was kissing someone who could get fangs? I mean, werwulfen

had big scary teeth too, but . . .

Oh, Lord. I’d just had my first kiss with Goth Boy, and that was good. But I had no idea whether he

thought it was good, or if I’d just gotten the brush-off. See what happens? What did that mean? And

he was my best and only friend right now. The only person I was really sure of, here.

I rolled over, stuffed the pillow under my head, and closed my eyes. When he came back from the

bathroom, I just lay there breathing like I was asleep. He stood by the side of the bed for a little bit,

probably wishing he had somewhere else to roost, then eased himself down and stayed on his side.

The space between us had just gotten bigger than it ever was, and in a completely new way.

The more I thought about it, the more it didn’t get any easier to figure out.

Great.

Jealousy

CHAPTER SEVEN

I stared at the fall of heavy golden late-afternoon sunlight through the window for a little bit, my