A short excerpt from Apocalypse By Midnight –
Zach set the plates on the table changing his place so he sat between Riley and Lucy. After Elliot had informed him the killer was likely a vampire with red hair, he had a sneaking suspicion Riley’s recent arrival might not be a coincidence. His friend might not have red hair, but what about the guest he planned to bring?
“Zach, the bread won’t taste right without garlic.” Lucy held a baguette in the air, a pout decorating her face.
He put the napkins down and went to her. “It’ll taste fine, relax.”
She lifted her arms then let them fall to her sides. “But I can’t call it garlic bread. What do I say, ‘here’s some toast with butter, unless you have dairy issues, too?’ I’m offering them toast. Toast, Zach. Who does that?”
Zach ran his hands down her arms and smiled. “You don’t have to call it anything, just put it on the table. Seriously, don’t worry about this so much. Riley and I have been friends…we’ve known each other for a few years.”
Lucy’s eyes widened. “Don’t worry? Are you insane? You thought he was dead until yesterday. He’s a vampire. I have no idea what he can or cannot eat. I was going to make meat but then realized blood rare has a different meaning to him than me.” Lucy waved the baguette in the air. “Pasta is the only safe bet and even then I have to be careful lest I poison your friend with garlic. Then there’s his girlfriend. Is she a vampire too? A werewolf? A witch? One of those gluten free people? There’s too many variables!” Lucy’s face reddened.
Zach took the bread from her hand and tossed it onto the counter. “Breathe. In and out. Try and think of your happy place. This is dinner with a friend. Whatever you make will be fine.” He rubbed her back in a circular motion. “I promise everything will be okay.”
Lucy made a strange noise then turned. “Next time more warning. I mean it. You can’t just spring a vampire dinner guest on me. We’re not at that level yet.”
Suzanne Robb 