“Are you serious? Vi’s arm has been magically barbequed and you think sheneeds a cupcake?”

“Did you really think I wouldn’t look for you?”“Honestly? Yes. You seemed a little busy losing your tongue down someone else’s throat.”

“Whatever game you’re playing, you’re going to lose,” he whispers. “And I’ll be right there to rub your nose in it when it happens.”“Great. Well, at least I have something to look forward to.” I cross my arms. “Now why don’t you go parade your lack of dignity somewhere else?”

“I put my hands on my hips. “What’s wrong with the way I look?”“Come on, Vi,” he says, keeping his voice low. “You just need to add your boots and you’re like the forest version of Lara Croft.”“Excuse me? Lara who?”“I mean, it’s really sexy and everything.” He pulls me closer and slips his arms around my waist. “But it’s not exactly the way I’d want you to meet my mom.”

“You guys dated, didn’t you?”“Are you insane? Not even if the continuation of our kind depended on it would I be tempted to do something so awful.”

“I refuse to let you talk me into a make-out session in a dodgy, underground tunnel. I have standards, you know.”

“Creepy Hollow?” He snorts. “Like Sleepy Hollow?”“No, like Creepy Hollow. It has nothing to do with sleeping.”