“I knew it.” Stella nodded. “Finally, we can get to work.”
“What does that mean?”
“Abby and I have known you have had a thing for Jeff for ages.” She shrugged. “It’s about time you made your move.”
“But he’s not really a relationship guy.” I sighed. “I feel like I’m setting myself up for heartbreak. Plus, I’ve known him for years and he has never made a move on me, not once. I didn’t think he’s interested in me. He just sees me as his little sister.”
“Yeah, but you’re not his little sister.” Stella gave me a pointed look. “So, it doesn’t matter what he sees you as. You share no blood—well, at least not yet.”
“What do you mean not yet?” Jules interrupted the conversation. “Do you already have them pregnant with a kid?”
“No.” Stella laughed. “I was thinking if they got really kinky, you know …” Her voice trailed off and both Jules and I looked at her, equally curious and creeped out.
“Um, please go on,” I said finally as I realized that Stella wasn’t going to continue.
“Didn’t you hear that story about Angelina and Billy Bob and how they swapped blood vials?” Stella said. “And who knows what else they did. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that they sucked each other’s blood out or something.”
“What?” I blinked at her. “That’s disgusting. And I would never suck Jeff’s blood out.”
“Well, wouldn’t you let him suck your blood out, a la Edward and Bella?”
“From Twilight?” I stared at her. “He sucked her blood because he was a vampire, and did he even suck her blood?”
“Oh shit, I knew it, Jeff is a vampire.” Jules cut in. “I knew he wasn’t human.”
“Jules.” I made a face. “Be nice. And Stella, what the hell? I’m not going to be sucking anyone’s blood.”
“You’ll just be sucking other things.” Stella giggled, and both Jules and I groaned. “What? Sucking can be fun,” she said, her green eyes laughing at us. The doorbell rang then and she jumped up. “I’ll get it, that must be Abby.”
“Saved by the bell.” I laughed. “I’ll wait until you and Abby come back to order, in case she wants something.”
“You didn’t order yet?” Jules groaned, and I just rolled my eyes at her dramatic expression. “I’m starving.” She grabbed the wineglass and drank some more.
Chapter 3
Betsy
“Okay, guys, I really need your help,” I said in between sips of the mango lassi the restaurant had sent over for free with our order.
“What help do you need?” Abby dipped a piece of naan bread in the tikka masala sauce and chewed on it, a blissful look on her face. “This is so delicious. You know I never really ate Indian food before, but this is so-o-o good.”
“It’s pretty yummy, all right.”
“Betsy, stop delaying the inevitable. Tell everyone about you and Jeff.”
“You’re dating Jeff now?” Abby looked surprised and gave Stella a quick look. “I didn’t know that.”
“I’m not dating Jeff …” I paused for a few seconds. “Why did you look at Stella like that? Do you like him?”
“Oh, God, no.” She looked back at me, her vibrant blue eyes staring into mine earnestly. “I would never date, Jeff.”
“Same here.” Jules butted in, and I shot her a dirty glance.
“Why did you give Stella that look?”
“Well …” Abby made a face. “I heard that Jeff is hooking up with Veronica.”
“Veronica?” I thought for a few moments. “Not Veronica Ryans, the girl that was in your year and went to New York to become a model?” My mouth dropped slightly. “The one that got arrested for nude sunbathing?”
“Yeah, she’s back in town, and word is she went skinny dipping and tanning nude, just so she could get Jeff’s attention.”
“How did she know he would be the arresting officer?”
“She found out his work schedule or something.” Abby shrugged. “I don’t know all the details exactly, but that’s what Jessica was telling me.” Jessica was a friend of Abby’s and Stella’s who worked at the local bank. She typically knew people’s business before they even knew it themselves.
“So … What? She went skinny dipping and now she’s letting Jeff dip in her?” Jules asked.
I managed a polite laugh, but inside I cringed with jealousy. Was Jeff seriously involved with Veronica?
“I don’t know the whole story,” Abby said hesitantly. “I don’t want to spread rumors and say that they’re together because I really don’t know everything.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Stella jumped up and looked at me. “Betsy, we’re going to help you get your man, but first I need to use the restroom, I’ll be right back.” She walked out of the room, and I funneled some more of the Indian food into my mouth. This time, it didn’t taste quite as delicious.
“I’m going to open another bottle of wine.” Jules got up and headed toward the kitchen. “Do you still have that bottle of Ménage à Trois that I brought over last week?”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “Bring some cookies as well and the box of chocolates that I have in the fridge.”
“The good box?” Jules looked excited.
I nodded. “I’m going to need as much wine and chocolate as I can get tonight.”
“So, what exactly did you think was going to happen after you dropped off a pair of naughty panties?” Abby giggled as we all ate the liqueur-filled dark chocolates that my parents had brought me back from their last trip to Belgium.
“I have no idea.” I grabbed another chocolate bottle. “I wasn’t really thinking. I walked past the store, bought the panties, and thought it would be a funny practical joke.”
“But you weren’t even going to tell him that it was you?” Stella looked at me quizzically.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Maybe I was hoping that he would figure it out?” I licked the remnants of the chocolate from my lips. “Obviously, it was a stupid plan.”
“So, what do you want us to do?” Jules said with a look. “Because you know if you really want Jefferson Evian, who I totally think doesn’t
