“I'm find," her voice squeaked out. Remembering the maggots-and not one hundred percent sure the ghost had taken them with her-Kylie leapt up, yanked the covers off the bed, and tossed them on the floor, she backed away from the pile of bedding."Yeah. You look just fine," Della said sarcastically.Kylie jumped from foot to foot and brushed off imaginary maggots that she felt crawling on her skin.Della stood there in Mickey Mouse pajamas, staring at her as if she didn't' know whether to laugh or run.Kylie stopped dancing and tried to breathe normally. "If I die, promise me I'll be cremated."Della frowned. "Die?""Not that I'm planning to die anytime soon." She gave her arm one more swipe. "But still."Della shook her head. "I don't know why you pretend you're okay.”

“She tossed her towel on her dresser and turned to the bed where shed left her PJs. Only it wasn't just her PJs on the bed anymore. Lucas, eyes wide, sat on the foot of her bed, about four feet from where she stood completely naked. She squealed. He laughed. She dashed for the towel. Once she had it around her, she glared from a still grinning Lucas to the door. "I'm killing Della!" He laughed again. "I'm afraid I might have to protect her for this one.”

“Did you want me to stay?"Kylie's yes and Lucas' no chimed out at the same time."Sorry," Lucas said, not sounding sorry as he looked at Della. "But I need Kylie's full attention to teach her, and you would just distract her.""Right," Della said in a tone of complete disbelief.Lucas frowned at the vamp."Okay," Della said. "I'll just mosey along.”

“I...I'm sorry," Kylie mumbled."Don't you even try to talk your way out of me being pissed!" Burnett growled. "Not a word!""I just...""That's two words and I said not one!" he snapped, and he swiped his hand through the air for emphasis.Kylie bit down on her lip, and wouldn't you know it that's when the tears started flowing. Big, fat, and fast tears. She sniffled and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. Her breath caught in her chest. But damn it. Why couldn't this have happened when she was alone?"Those tears do not affect me, young lady!" He pointed a finger at her. While she couldn't hear his heart beat to the rhythm of a lie, she heard it in his voice. ***"I just...""Did I say you could talk?" he asked. He did three more pacing laps, as if working off steam, before he looked at her again. "Where were you going, Kylie?"When she just looked at him, he bit out, "Answer me.""You said I couldn't talk.”

“Then maybe it's time to change that." Della sat back in her chair."Change what?" Kylie asked."Come out of the closet. You know, like...'I'm gay and here to stay.' You'd need a different slogan, but maybe, 'I'm a lizard and if you don't like it, I'll eat out your gizzard.'" Della chuckled. "Okay, it needs some work, but you get what I mean.”

“Wow,” Kylie muttered, and grinned.“Yeah, wow.” Della leaned in closer. “I think Perry just grew a pair.”Kylie bit down on her lip to keep from laughing. “If this was a movie,there would be some music playing in the background.”“I could sing,” Della chuckled.“And ruin it,” Kylie teased back. “I’ve heard you singing in theshower.” Both grinning, they looked back at the kissing couple.”

“You couldn't stop staring at his butt the other day."Della's mouth dropped open and she rolled her eyes. "You are so wrong." She fanned herself with her hand. "But the boy is eye candy to the max.”