“Um, thanks,” I said, uncertain as to what had prompted that comment. I was pretty sure there was nothing remarkable about me today. My hair and makeup were the same as ever, and I’d chosen a white shirt and plaid skirt uniform combo today. I had to make up for this weekend’s color splurge.

“And the burgundy trim in your skirt really brings out the amber in your eyes,” Jill continued. “It’s not as good as the bright red, but still looks great. Of course, every color looks great on you, even the dull ones.”

Eddie was still focused on Micah. “How’d the fight come about?”

Jill dragged her gaze from me, much to my relief. “Oh. Well. I told him I didn’t know if I could do Thanksgiving. Probably if I’d just given him one reason, it would’ve all been fine. But I started freaking out, thinking about all the problems, and just went off on a ramble, saying we might go back to South Dakota or maybe family would come here or maybe you wouldn’t let me… or, well, a bunch of other things. I guess it was pretty obvious I was kind of making it all up, and then he outright asked me if I didn’t want to be with him anymore. Then I said I did but that it was complicated. He asked what I meant, but of course I couldn’t explain it all, and from there…” She threw up her hands. “It all just kind of exploded from there.”

I’d never thought much about Thanksgiving or meeting one’s family as a rite of passage in dating. Brayden’s family lived in southern California too… would I be expected to meet them someday?

“Micah’s not the type to hold a grudge,” said Eddie. “He’s also pretty reasonable. Just tell him the truth.”

“What, that I’m one of the last in a line of vampire royalty and my sister’s throne is dependent on me staying in hiding and surviving?” Jill asked incredulously.

Amusement flickered in Eddie’s eyes, though I could tell he was trying to stay serious for her sake. “That’s one way, I suppose. But no… I meant, just give him the simplified version. You don’t want to get too serious. You like him but just want to watch how fast things are going. It’s not unreasonable, you know. You’re fifteen and have been ‘dating’ for barely a month.”

She pondered his words. “You don’t think he’d be mad?”

“Not if he really cares about you,” said Eddie vehemently. “If he really cares, he’ll understand and respect your wishes—and be happy at just any chance of spending time with you.”

I wondered if Eddie was referring to Micah or himself, but that was a thought best kept quiet. Jill’s face lit up.

“Thanks,” she told Eddie. “I hadn’t thought of it that way. You’re so right. If he can’t accept my feelings, then there’s no point to anything.” She glanced over at a wall clock and jumped to her feet. “I think I’m going to go try to find him now before class.” Like that, she was gone.