“Very cool. And the blood thing? Should I be wearing a metal scarf?”

“No.” Brigid laughed. “Though, I’ll confess that you smell pretty amazing. It’s funny the things you notice. Hope I’m not scaring you, but if you’ve always smelled like that, it’s no wonder Axel couldn’t keep his fangs off you.”

She blushed, which only made the smell stronger. Brigid shook herself. Her friend smelled like some exotic sweet fruit. Her skin glowed and she looked ripe for the picking. Apparently, sobriety agreed with Emily.

“You look great, too,” Brigid said. “I think you look younger now than when we were in school. Really good. Healthy. I’m happy for you.”

Emily smiled and looked away in embarrassment. “I wasn’t for a while, but I’m feeling much better now. Who knew clean living was the best beauty treatment, eh?”

“Are you and Axel still…?” She’d been making quiet inquiries about Emily’s old boyfriend, but no one in Dublin would admit to seeing him.

“No,” she said quickly. “That wasn’t the healthiest relationship, was it? I, uh… I loved him. Madly. And he didn’t want to break up, but when I went into treatment… He didn’t understand.”

“The treatment program?”

“I think it was the addiction. He didn’t understand why I just didn’t stop and move on with my life.”

“Ah.” Brigid sipped her tea, which suddenly seemed bland, despite the sugar she’d added to it. “It’s a mindset, isn’t it? Getting off the drugs. It’s far more than the physical symptoms. You have to leave behind the things that hold you back.”

Emily paused, twisting her fingers together and looking around the room. “I don’t think vampires—” she said softly “—unless they had an addiction when they were human, really understand that.”

Brigid raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know. We’re all addicted to blood, aren’t we?”

“I guess so.” Emily shrugged. “I bet you conquered it quick, didn’t you?”

“What?”

“The blood thing. You’d already had practice getting off drugs. Blood was probably a cinch.”

Brigid smirked. “I’ve never thought about it that way. You might be right; I’m very strict about that part of my life. Now it’s easier, of course.”

Emily’s face lit up. “That’s great!”

“Though I’ll confess, the way you smell is testing my control, Em.” Brigid pretended to plug her nose and Emily smiled and leaned away.

“Sorry.”

“Find a different perfume, will you?” Brigid was mostly joking, but Emily did smell mouthwatering. Rather inconvenient if she wanted to remain friends with the woman.

Emily started to stand. “I know you’re working, so I won’t keep you. I’d like to keep in touch, if that’s something you’d like, too. I’d understand if you didn’t. I’m staying with my parents.” Emily handed her a small card with a phone number and address. “Call if you like. I’m just getting back into things here. Found a nice job working for a friend of my mum’s. Still accounting, but no vampires this time.” She trailed off, looking a bit lost and more than a little nervous.

Brigid thought back to their time in university, and it wasn’t the drugs or partying she remembered. She remembered a nervous girl from the country and a warm and welcoming hand of friendship. She remembered Emily’s patience during the worst of Brigid’s social anxiety and her encouragement when Brigid was frustrated with her old, human limitations. She smiled at the young woman and held out a hand for the card.

“I’d like that, Emily. I wouldn’t want to lose you.”

Rome, Italy

May 26, 2012

When is your birthday? I should know these things since I’m in love with you. I don’t know when mine was. I was born in the winter. And my mother complained that I came out of the womb causing trouble. I don’t believe her. I blame my older sisters. I always did.

Did you want children? It pains me that it might have been something you didn’t have the chance for in your human life. But don’t worry, we can always adopt, if you’d like. Whether we add any human children to my crazy brood is entirely up to you. I’m rather fond of children. Haven’t had one around in quite some time, though. It would probably be entertaining.

But I’m getting ahead of myself, aren’t I? I’m good at that.

Gemma told me that women like being courted, so please read the following reasons that you should marry me. (I only included five. I didn’t want to overwhelm you.) And yes, I realize this isn’t a traditional courtship. It’ll work anyway; I’m irresistible.

“Arrogant ass,” she whispered, trying to ignore the smile flirting around her lips.

The top five reasons that you should marry me:

1. My Hawaiian shirt collection. It’s extensive. There have actually been overtures from some museums to add it to their exhibits. I know you pretend to think that they’re ugly, but I see right through you, my sweet Brigid. You’re in love. (With my shirts… and me.)

2. I’m extremely rich, particularly for a priest. I never did all that well with the vow of poverty thing. See, when you’ve been alive a thousand years, it’s just idiotic not to invest. So, I’m very comfortable financially. Not that I think this is a concern to you, but it would be irresponsible not to mention it.