He smiled as he gathered the empty bottles to take to the kitchen, and I yawned. “Don’t bother,” I said. “I’ll take care of them. If I don’t rinse them out, the rani of recycling yells at me.”

Smiling, he pulled his hands away and stood, leaving them where they were. “I have to check a few more apartments this morning, but I’ll burn through my list in a few hours. You want to get together later?”

A spike of anticipation rose through me, dulled by my sleepy state, but I couldn’t help but wonder where this was going. Last night with Marshal had been fun. Comfortable. True to what he had said earlier about wanting a break from a girlfriend, we just sat around and watched TV. I had brought all my runner instincts to bear on him, and though it would be stupid to think that he might not be interested in more later, right now, he just seemed to appreciate the company. God knew I did.

“Sure,” I said, carefully, “but David’s run out to that witch’s house comes first.” I was reluctant to move, feeling rumpled and ill from the early hour. I’d thought it had been odd when he’d fallen asleep in his chair at midnight, right during the news, but if he’d been running on a human clock, that would be late for him.

I had intended to let Marshal sleep through the late movie and then wake him, seeing as it was nice having company without having to worry about triggering any blood lust attacks when I got excited in a chase scene. Falling asleep during the slow spots had never crossed my mind. But someone had turned the volume down, so he’d probably woken up at some point and let me keep sleeping. That was nice.

“You need any help? At the house I mean?” Marshal asked, and I smiled up at him.

“Nope.”

“Then I’ll get out of here,” he said, then dropped down to crouch before me. He was way too close, and I drew back with my eyes wide.

“You’re funny,” he said as he got on his hands and knees and peered under the couch. “I’m not going to kiss you. You’re too much trouble to be my girlfriend. Too high-maintenance. My boots are under there.”

I grinned in embarrassment as he came up with his boots.

The click of the front door opening shot through me. Marshal got to his feet and turned in one smooth motion, and I bolted upright.

“Ivy?” I called, recognizing the sound of her boots clacking.