Holy crap, Percy, what is it with you and women in my family? “Do you want it to be more, Felicite?”
She shrugs her shoulders and stirs her iced tea with a straw.
“Because it’s okay if you do.”
“Is it though?” She shakes her head. “I’m not convinced that’s true.”
“What happened?”
“I don’t know. We’ve been spending a lot of time together just researching and him teaching me. It made it impossible not to see all his qualities. He’s smart, patient, funny, and handsome. Percy never loses his temper with me. He gently guides me to the proper understanding of things. I’ve never met anyone like him.”
“It sounds like a good thing, Fel.”
“It’s a stupid schoolgirl crush I don’t want to embarrass myself over.”
“If you really thought that, you wouldn’t be talking about this with me,” I say gently. “Are you hesitant because he’s a vampire or is there another reason?”
“Well, that and the fact that I think he’s still in love with our grandmother. I’m no one’s stand-in. It’s no secret I favor her. I find it hard to believe it’s a coincidence I’m the one he’s showing interested in. If that’s the vibe I’m getting from him. He’s hard to read.”
I hum as I think on what she says. “I think he’ll always have love for her, but he’s said himself their time was long ago, and ill-advised. That the world wasn’t ready for their relationship.”
Her face wrinkles. “He talked to you about it.”
“Briefly in passing when he wanted to give me a pep talk about taking risks.” I wave her off. “Don’t worry, your vampire boo isn’t spilling his secrets to me.”
She scowls. “He’s not.”
“Yet. But you want him to be.”
“I think I might.” Her face falls. “Is that awful of me?”
“Felicite, no. You like who you like.”
“God, is this how you felt with Cristobal at first?”
I nod. “Yes, but I was too starry-eyed to care much about the consequences. Young amour.”
She shakes her head. “I’m ahead of myself. I’m not sure if he reciprocates what I have going on.”
“I know him well enough to say if you don’t give him a hint that you’re open to it, he’ll never approach you. He’d be too worried about offending or frightening you. He really is such a standup guy. You deserve someone who will treat your properly and cherish you. Percy will do that and more.”
“Is that why you aren’t discouraging me?” she asks curiously.
“Yeah, and I see how much you want to try this out with him. I understand your fear. It’s a big step, and a lot of people won’t understand or approve. There’s nothing wrong with taking your time and figuring out what it is you actually want.”
She nods and toys with the condensation on her plastic cup. “Do you think Cristobal was worth it?”
“Yeah. Enough for me to be groveling right now.”
“What?” She sits up straight. “Now you have to share.”
I laugh. “I made him a mixed tape for Christ’s sake.”
“That’s adorable … and necessary. You were over the top.”
I sigh. “I know I was. I feel like shit about it now.”
“What did he say?”