"We have a problem," he said.
"We have a lot of problems," I said, thinking of Maddie's wedding dress and the fact that I'd nearly walked off my own balcony. I shivered. I definitely was not going back for that next drink. Sick was one thing. Hallucinations were another. "What's wrong?"
Peter led me inside and pointed. "Cody's in love."
I looked over at our friend Cody, another vampire and Peter's apprentice. Cody was a young immortal, optimistic and endearing. He was dressed as an alien, with green antennae sticking out of his shaggy blond hair. The perfection of his silvery spacesuit made me think Peter had played a role. Right now, Cody was staring across the room, mouth open as he gazed at someone. He looked like I had felt just moments ago.
Her name was Gabrielle, and she'd just started at the bookstore. She was tiny, almost pixie like, and wore black fishnets and a ripped black dress. Her spiky hair was also black, as was her lipstick. Easy coordination. Cody was staring at her like she was the most beautiful creature on earth.
"Huh," I said. Hugh dated all the time, but I'd never really thought of the vampires-especially Peter-having any sort of romantic interactions.
"I think he likes that she's dressed as a vampire," said Peter.
I shook my head. "Actually, that's how she always dresses."
We walked over to Cody, and it took him several moments to notice us. He seemed excited to see me. "What's her name?" he breathed.
I tried to hide my smile. Cody being smitten was one of the cutest things I'd ever seen and a welcome distraction from the other drama tonight. "Gabrielle. She works at the store."
"Is she single?"
I looked back at her as she laughed at something Maddie had said. "I don't know. Want me to find out?"
Cody blushed-inasmuch as a vampire could. "No! I mean … unless you think it wouldn't be too obvious? I don't want you to go to any trouble."
"No trouble for me," I said, just as Doug walked by. "Hey." I caught hold of his sleeve. "Do me a favor, and I'll take my shift back."
Doug, whose skin was normally golden-tan, could have also passed for an alien with his green hue. "I'd rather have my stomach back, Kincaid."
"Go investigate Gabrielle's romantic status. Cody's interested."
"Georgina!" exclaimed Cody, mortified.
Sick or not, Doug couldn't resist a little intrigue. "Sure thing."
He headed off across the room and pulled Gabrielle to him, leaning down so she could hear. At one point, he glanced over toward us, and Gabrielle looked as well. Cody nearly died.
"Oh, God."
Doug returned five minutes later and shook his head. "Sorry, kid. She's single, but she doesn't think you're her type. She's into the Goth and vampire scene. You're too mainstream for her." I was sipping a glass of water and nearly choked on it.
"That," said Peter, as soon as Doug was gone, "is what we call irony."
"How is that possible?" exclaimed Cody. "I am a vampire. I should be exactly what she wants."
"Yeah, but you don't look like one," I said.
"I look exactly like one! What should I dress up as? Count Chocula?"
The party continued in force for another couple of hours, and finally, people began trickling out. Roman and I, playing good hosts, smiled and bade each of them farewell. By the time everyone left, I was weary and more than happy for it all to be over. I'd refused to drink after the balcony incident and now had a headache as a pleasant reminder of my indulgences. Roman looked as exhausted as me as he scanned the messy condo.
"Funny, huh? You throw a housewarming party to show the place off, and then people trash it."
"It'll clean up fast," I said, studying all the bottles and paper plates with remnants of food. Aubrey was licking frosting off a half-eaten cupcake, and I hastily took it away from her. "But not tonight. Help me take care of the perishables, and we'll do the rest tomorrow."
"There's no 'we' in 'clean,'" Roman said.
"That doesn't even make sense," I said, covering up some salsa. "And Peter's right, you know. You really should do more around here."
"I provide good company. Besides, how can you get rid of me?"
"I'll get Jerome to," I warned, referring to his demon father, who also happened to be my boss.
"Sure. Run off and tell on me." Roman stifled a yawn, demonstrating just how worried he was about his father's wrath. The annoying part was, he had a point. I couldn't get rid of him on my own, and I doubted Jerome would really help. Still, I could hardly believe it when Roman did wander off to bed and leave me alone with the cleanup. I hadn't thought he go that far.