Chapter 14

Threats and Promises

On the way to Holly’s diner, I thought over my options. I’d known from the second I’d met her that she wasn’t stupid, and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to bullshit her. On the other hand, bullshitting people was pretty much how I made my living and there’s always a way if you look for it. She wasn’t a vampire herself, so I wouldn’t have to worry about any supernatural senses, but still. I’d have to tread lightly.

“It’s almost five,” I said. “You think this place is still open?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Milly asked.

“Don’t small-town places close earlier?”

“Not this early.”

I shrugged. “If you say so.”

“I do.”

“Okay, then,” I laughed.

We pulled into the parking lot outside Holly’s diner, and sat in the car for a few minutes as I gathered myself.

“You know,” I said, “I was just here a few hours ago. It feels like forever.”

“You’ve been a busy little bee since then,” Milly said.

Nodding, I said, “Isn’t that the truth? C’mon.”

The bell above the door chimed as we walked in. Holly wasn’t behind the counter, but she came out of the back when she heard the bell.

She smiled when she saw me. “Well, hello Regan. Back so soon?”

“It’s never too soon for more pie,” I said with a smile of my own. “This is my friend Milly.”

Holly’s eyes swept once over Milly’s form with the same intense observation she’d used on me when we’d met earlier today. She held out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too.” Milly smiled.

“What can I get you?” She gestured to a table, and we sat. “I just made a fresh cherry pie.”

“Oh!” I said brightly. “I’ll have that.”

Milly laughed. “I guess I will, too.”

After Holly went to get it, Milly leaned in and said, “So how are you gonna do this?”

“I dunno,” I murmured. “I’ll think of something.”

Holly came back in no time, bearing two plates with a steaming slice of pie each. I almost forgot the real reason for coming here at the site of them.

“These look amazing, Holly,” I said sincerely.

She gave a proud smile. “They taste even better.”

“I’ll bet.”

Milly was giving me a look as Holly walked away.

“What?”

“You didn’t even ask her!”

I shrugged. “Can’t work on an empty stomach.”

“Oh, for God’s sake,” Milly said, exasperated.

“Just try it, Mills,” I said.

“Regan—”

“Try it.”

With a heavy sigh, Milly picked up her fork. She stared down at her pie for a few seconds. Then, with dramatic gesture, plunked her fork down into the edge of the slice, and brought a bite to her mouth.

“Oh.” Her eyes went wide. “Oh my God.”

“See,” I said smugly. “I told ya.”

Milly scarfed her pie down in record time, leaving me in the dust. She sat back, sighing in satisfaction.

“Christ, Mills.” I shook my head.

“It was good,” she said. “Like, really good.”

“Yeah,” I drawled. “I know.”

“Well, now I believe you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Thanks so much.”

“You’re welcome.” Milly glanced at the counter where Holly was doing something at the register. “Okay, I’m gonna go to the bathroom. Make your move.”

She got up and wandered off before I could say anything. Part of the reason I liked Milly was her “go get ‘em” attitude, but sometimes it was a little much. There was no help for it now, I guess. Internally promising to get Milly back for this, I pushed away from the table and headed toward the register.

Holly looked up as I approached, and I smiled.

“You guys need something else?” She asked.

“No, not exactly,” I said. “But there is something you can help me with.”

She straightened up from the register. “Oh?”

“Yeah.” I gave her my charming, kind of bashful smile. “Ira and I have been, uh, hanging out recently, and I just realized that…in the heat of the moment we never exchanged numbers.”

Maybe I was too in-character, but I found myself blushing and couldn’t seem to stop. “So, I was wondering if I left mine with you if it would make its way to him?”

For a beat she just looked at me. Then she said, “What are your intentions toward my son?”

That stopped me in my tracks. “In…intentions?”

“Yes.” She nodded without breaking eye contact.

“Uh…” I was scrambling inside. “We’ve only been on one date. I think that’s a little early for intentions.”

My heart started beating faster as she just looked me like she was staring straight into my skull. I had the feeling she wasn’t falling for my affable-me act one tiny bit.

“I see,” she said. Then she slid a notepad and pen across the counter. Beaming at her, I scribbled my digits down on the paper. I pushed it back toward her.

“You know,” she said conversationally. “We may have just met, but I like you. You have potential.”

Her eyes, already locked on mine, took on an irresistible quality. I couldn’t look away if I tried. It was like Holly’s entire personality bore down on me. Her body and posture were proud and tall, and authority radiated out of her. For a minute I forgot we were in some rural diner, captivated by the sudden, quiet spectacle that Holly had become. There was something almost otherworldly about her, as if she had suddenly become larger than life. Or something higher on the food chain. I found myself being very still and breathing slowly, as if I were a small animal trying to escape detection by a predator.

Not being into chicks, I hadn’t noticed until just now that Holly really was quite beautiful. When she spoke, it was in the calm manner of someone who was sure she would be obeyed.

“That said,” she went on, blue eyes cold and unyielding. “If you harm my son you will never know another peaceful night on this earth.”

I discovered my heart had relocated to my throat. I’d faced chupacabras, vampires, and killed a yeti in Montana, but God save me from Ira’s mother. I’d never been so scared in my life. Normally I would have popped off some witty one-liner, but I couldn’t. My mouth had gone dry. There was no doubt in my mind she meant every word she said.

Then her eyes slid away from mine, looking behind me. I slumped visibly in relief.

“Do we understand each other?” She asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” I croaked.

A gentle smile graced her face. “Good. Now I’m going to go tell your friend to remain in the bathroom.”

My brow wrinkled. “Why?”

Holly nodded toward the windows behind me. “Zo’s here. I imagine she's looking for you.”