The Turning (17 page)

“Yes, he did, but you guys had a long talk to sort things out. And you gave us all a talking to about how it was your life. That you didn’t have to conform to vampire politics just because you were one of us now, that you would continue on with your life. It was a very impressive speech, especially from someone so young and so out of it.”

“Are you busy right now? I’d really like to go to my apartment and deal with some things, but I’m still nervous to be alone. I don’t want to pass out again, especially if I am by myself.”

“Of course, let me just call for a car and we’ll go,” Andre agreed, pulling out his phone.

About ten minutes later we were in the car on the way to my place. When we pulled up, Andre got out first and helped me out. The sun was coming up, which was a good sign it had been six am Thursday when I looked at the clock earlier. We walked quietly up the stairs, but it took me awhile. I refused when he offered to carry me. I wasn’t going to get stronger if everyone kept carrying me everywhere.

Having already dropped by the mailbox, I flipped through my mail and stopped on the envelope from the University of Chicago.

This is it.
I waited until we were in the apartment and I was sitting on the couch to open it. I let out a huge sigh when I saw the confirmation of my internship starting as scheduled and a list of things I would need.

“Oh thank god,” I gushed out loud.

“What is it, Kelly?” Andre asked and I handed him the letter. “That’s wonderful news. We should celebrate tonight.”

“That actually sounds great. I could use some fun. Let me just pack a few things, and I’ll be ready to go.” I walked into the bedroom, and when Andre followed me, I figured he was just curious and thought nothing of it. But then his hands were on me, and I turned around to say something, and he kissed me. “Andre, what are you doing?” I hissed as I pushed him away.

“I figured that’s why you invited me.” He sounded confused and a little hurt at the rebuff.

“No, Andre. I told you why I asked you along. There was no underlying reason. I’m seeing Brian and you know that. I’m not sure what we really are yet, but I know I don’t want to start something up with anyone else right now, okay?”

“As you wish, Kelly. I apologize. I didn’t mean to start trouble. I just find myself so drawn to you. You are one of the prettiest girls I have ever seen.”

“Thank you and no need to apologize. There was just some miscommunication. But don’t let it happen again, okay?” He nodded, and I finished packing, changed purses, thankful that Brian had found my purse too. We walked out of my apartment and I locked it up behind me. I smiled at Andre to show there were no hard feelings.

Once we were in the car I asked Andre if he didn’t mind running a few errands with me, because I had to get some of the things on my list.

“Errands?” He laughed. “I haven’t done my own shopping in years. All right, it might be fun.” I gave the driver directions to a medical supply store I knew. Andre helped me pick out some new scrubs and some other medical equipment I would need. Then we went to an office supply store. He was like a kid in candy store, playing with all the supplies and helping me to choose what I needed.

Once we were back in the car, bags loaded in the trunk, he turned to me. “I had no idea there were places like this. Thank you for my sticky pad, um, Super Sticky Post-Its. It was very nice of you to indulge me in such a way.”

“You’re welcome, Andre,” I chuckled and bumped my shoulder against his. “If nothing else I owed you for the smokes you gave me.” When the car stopped in front of Brian’s building, Andre got out first and offered me a hand, which I gladly took. I always hated trying to gracefully slide out of the back seat of a car when I was sitting on the side of traffic and had to get out from the other door. “I need to grab the bags. Do you mind helping me?”

“The driver has them. He can make extra trips if he needs to. That’s what they get paid for.”

I quickly picked them all up when the driver opened the trunk, thanked him for the ride. I shook my head at Andre as he kept glancing at me as if
I
was the odd one as we walked into the building and through the lobby. When we were alone in the elevator and no around people who might listen in, I finally picked on him.

“I can carry some bags. It was a big enough favor to have a car to do all of this,” I said, rolling my eyes at his privilege. “You’re such a snob sometimes, you know that?” We got off the elevator together, arm in arm, and found Brian standing there. “Hey, Bri, guess what?”

“Where were you two? I did not know where you were. Wow, you two seem very
comfortable
together, it is just so sweet to see,” he growled as he threw down the flowers and gift he was holding and stomped off to the bedroom. I followed him in there and put my bags down. “Do you like him, Kelly? Is that what this is?”

“Brian, take a breath. No, I don’t like him like that. I like you. I got your note that you were working, which is fine. Andre was up and I asked him to come with me to get some things done. I was trying to be responsible and have someone with me in case I fainted again. We went to check my mail and pack a few of my things and run some errands.

“That’s it, Bri. I’m flattered you’re jealous, but you’re making a big deal out of nothing. Now, can we be done? Because I have some thrilling news and I was very excited to get back and share it with you,” I mediated and wrapped my arms around him.

“You are right. I was being childish,” he sighed and hugged me back. “Please share with me, my love.”

“I got confirmation that the University of Chicago got my final records and board certification and I start my internship as scheduled. Also, I graduate this weekend, and I’m inviting you to attend, if you would like?”

“I am so proud of you, Kelly,” he praised. “I would be honored to be there to watch you graduate.” He gave me a kiss on the cheek, but then I gave him one on the lips, soft and I took my time.

“Now, can you please help me with the stuff I got? I want to show it to you.” I pulled back from him. I opened the door again and went for the rest of my stuff as Brian followed me.

“Did Kelly tell you the news?” Andre asked Brian. “I told her we should celebrate tonight. I think the smart lady deserves it.”

“I agree,” Brian answered, picking back up the flowers and gift he’d thrown on the floor. “These are for you, Kelly. I am glad you are feeling so much better. No pain or fainting today?”

“Better, still weak and sore, but I got through all our errands, and no fainting,” I verified, taking the present and opening it up. I laughed as I saw the new phone he had gotten me. “Thank you, Brian, you didn’t have to do that. The flowers and phone are wonderful. I’ll have to get it hooked up. I really need to call my parents and Nicole.

“I mean, I know the number for my parents, but I need them to upload my numbers so I can call Nicole. I couldn’t find the number in my apartment. What would I do if I lost all my numbers?” I laughed again, and stood on the tip of my toes and gave him another kiss.

“Already done, my love. I had them transfer everything over,” Brian said pleased with himself. “It is charged and ready to go. May I see what you bought?” We spent some time looking over my new scrubs, then the medical and office supplies. I glanced up to see Julie and checked the clock, five pm already? Time really does fly when you’re having fun. I waved to her, and listened to Andre telling Brian all about the stores and his present.

“Andre got a present I see,” Brian muttered. “How nice for him.”

I rolled my eyes and handed him a bag and one for Julie. Brian opened his package and smiled. I gave him a book of medical jargon so he could keep up with me. Julie opened her bag and laughed when she saw the Post-It note tabs.

“Thank you very much, Kelly.”

“I know it’s kind of lame, but Andre was so excited about his Post-Its I thought the tabs might be fun. I guess maybe older vampires don’t know about all the latest office gadgets. Brian, you got the book so you can decipher when I tell you all about work. I mean, I know you’re smart and probably know all this, but I thought it was a funny gag gift.”

“I love it, Kelly. I would cherish anything you would give me. I do find it amusing and I got the gag,” he promised as he gave me a kiss on the head.

Julie looked through some of the other bags. “Good choice, Kelly. I could see this color blue and purple being very flattering on you.” She paused and smiled widely. “I think everyone should get ready to go out. I will call and let the owner of Catalyst know that we will be gracing their presence tonight.”

“Catalyst?” I asked.

“It’s a vamp club,” Andre explained. “Only vamps are welcome, but the bouncers don’t make it obvious. The humans have no idea why they are denied access, and it’s listed as a private club, so no one is the wiser.”

“Smart,” I answered, thoroughly impressed. “What’s the dress code?”

“Normal club attire.” Brian shrugged with his usual Gaelic shrug that made him look so damn sexy. “There will be a wide variety of different types of vampires there. So any style will work.”

“Slight problem,” I said, wrinkling my nose. “I didn’t grab anything that I could wear to a club.”

“
Mo mhile stór
, I have already taken care of that. There are several options in your closet in my room.”

“My closet?” I asked. “You really do know how to spoil a girl. Can Julie and I get ready together, I’d like her advice and we can surprise you guys.”

“Absolutely, let me just go pick out what I am going to wear and take it out of the room,” Brian agreed and walked away.

“You really are going to keep me young, my dear,” Julie teased as we walked to the guest bedroom she was staying in. “Let me just get what I’m going to wear, and I can bring it into your room.” She picked out an outfit. “I was thinking this one, what do you think?”

“Depends? Am I giving my opinion to you as your friend or the elder of North America?”

“You consider us friends?” Julie asked, shock written all over her face.

“Of course! You’ve helped me, given me advice, we’ve shared some laughs, and you chewed out Brian when he misbehaved.”

“Interesting, I am not sure I really have anyone I would consider a friend. By all means, answer as my friend then.”

“Then my answer is hell no. How old were you when you were turned, between thirty-five and forty?”

“Thirty-one actually,” she answered with a smile.

“Oh, sorry, it’s hard to tell with you guys. I mean you’ve been around how many hundreds of years? You can tell you’ve lived for a long time, it reflects in the way you look.”

“No need to apologize. Your argument is logical and reasonable. What do you think I should wear?” I flipped through her clothes and realized all of it was old lady-ish. None of this would work for transforming her into a hottie.

“Hmmm, I’m not feeling any of this. What size are you?”

“I am not sure. I have a personal shopper,” Julie informed me so easily it made me laugh. I checked out her clothes and found she wore either an eight or ten.

“Well, you’re a little smaller than me, but it still might work. Let’s go check what Brian has in my closet. Do you mind helping me with my hair? It still hurts to lift my arms.”

“Not at all, it might be fun—girl time as you all call it. You’d have to walk me through it. Would you do mine?” We went back into Brian’s room and opened the closet that Brian had deemed mine.

“Sure, as long as you trust me, and I can do it how I want.” I froze when I saw the packed closet. “Wow, Brian might have gone a little overboard here. I’m going to have to put a leash on him for god sakes!” The closet overflowed with all kinds of very expensive clothes.

I went into the bathroom, and in one of the cabinets was an assortment of all kinds of women’s hair care products and paraphernalia. I pulled out two different curling irons and plugged them in by the dressing table. It was loaded with all types of cosmetics, designer labels of course. He must have spent another small fortune buying all of this, though I’m sure he sent one of his assistants to get it all.

I went back to the closet where Julie was looking through items, flipped through the clothes and picked out a rocking green dress for Julie that was her size. I held it up for her and laughed at her reaction. After tossing it on the bed, I went back and pulled out a deep blue dress for myself.

I took the world’s fastest shower and thanked Julie when she was waiting with a glass of blood for me when I was done. It would take a while for my hair to dry but I could do it in stages while I helped Julie.

“I have to make a couple of calls while I do your hair if that’s okay?”

“Of course, Kelly. I have to ask you though. You are serious about me wearing this, right?” She eyed the dress on the bed.

I picked up my new cell phone, scrolled through to Nicole’s contact listing, and hit send. “Yes, Julie, trust me, you can do it. Hey, Nicole, it’s Kelly I just wanted to check in.”

“Hey, girl! How are you? Feeling any better?”

“Yeah, I’m doing better, thanks. Brian told me he called you?”

“He did, thank him again for doing that. I let your parents know you were sick too. What are your plans tonight? Some of us are going to the bar if you can?”

“Brian has some colleagues in town, and we are hitting some club, but maybe after. Call me if you guys are going to leave, that way I know not to come. Hey, did you get confirmation about your internship?”

“Yeah, I did, did you?” Nicole asked me.

“Yep, so we start soon. I’m scared, you?”

“More than anything has scared me, ever. I know we’ll rock, though. I don’t know if I could do this if you weren’t going to be there with me, Kelly. I love ya, girl, and I keep thanking god that you ended up being okay,” she said and I could hear her sniffling.

“Oh, Nicole, don’t cry, sweetie! I feel the same way. You’re my girl. Don’t ever forget that. How are you on money? Do you need some help getting the supplies?”

“Kelly, you don’t have any money either. How could you help me?” she asked.

“I’m doing fine right now. I have a few hundred I can spare. What do you need?”