A Vampire for Christmas - By Michele Hauf Page 0,2

see it from here.”

A large group of women exited the club, laughing and hanging on to each other’s arms. Charlotte stepped aside to avoid getting jostled.

“Hey,” the bouncer said to the group in general, “which way are you ladies going?”

That way and down there, were several of the replies. Same direction as Charlotte’s car.

The bouncer held his hand out with a flourish. “I give you your escorts.”

At least someone cared about her welfare tonight. Charlotte flashed him a grateful smile. “Thanks.”

“No problemo.”

The seven women moved like a swarm of bees down the sidewalk, constantly buzzing with mindless chatter. Every few feet, they’d stop and laugh at something else. It wasn’t hard to keep up with them, just frustrating. Charlotte was tired, cranky, and kept thinking how good a long soak in her tub would feel.

“He’s great, isn’t he?” Kari had gushed in the ladies’ room right before she told Charlotte she was going home with that guy. “I just love his sense of humor.” Code for I know the guy isn’t hot but I need an excuse to sleep with him.

“Yeah, if you like older men who don’t know your eyes are above your cleavage.” Charlotte knew the real reason her friend was attracted to the guy—his company’s fat wallet. In sales, the client was king and quota was everything, and Kari was one of those people who’d do anything to meet hers.

Charlotte didn’t care how desperate or at the end of her rope she was. She had scruples and self-respect. Even though she and Kari worked in different industries, she’d never sleep with a client. If she couldn’t land a design job on her own merits, then it wasn’t meant to be.

The beehive stopped again—this time to take off someone’s shoes. Charlotte sighed. She’d had enough. The parking lot was on the next block and, from where she stood, she could see the red car she’d parked next to. She bypassed the group, dancing out of the way as a woman flung her arm out dramatically, and continued down the sidewalk.

Served her right for going out on a weeknight anyway. She reviewed tomorrow’s busy schedule in her head. A few client meetings and she couldn’t forget to check on a delivery. Mrs. Wilson would be really upset if her new dining table didn’t arrive as scheduled. Charlotte had redecorated the woman’s home, convincing her that the dated old table had to go. With the holidays right around the corner, Charlotte was afraid Mrs. Wilson would have kittens if the new one didn’t come in soon.

As she stepped off the curb, something flashed in the corner of her eye. She glimpsed a pale blue Volkswagen Beetle parked in front of a Dumpster in the alleyway. Peering into the shadows beyond it, she saw nothing but darkness. She moved to the far edge of the sidewalk anyway and picked up her pace.

A breeze blew past her, its icy blast ruffling her hair. She shivered. Taking a bath in a tub filled with hot soapy water up to her earlobes was sounding like the best idea she’d had all day.

As she pulled her coat up around her neck, her heel caught in one of the cracks of the cobblestones. She tried to catch herself, but she lost her balance and hit the ground fast. A jolt of pain shot through her wrist.

Something sounded behind her. Laughter, maybe?

God, how embarrassing. Could this evening get any worse?

She winced at the pain as she pushed herself up. Had the women seen her? She glanced around, but the beehive had crossed the street and were on the next block over, just as oblivious as ever.

Only the wind, she decided. She brushed tiny bits of gravel from the heel of her hand and wondered whether it was bad enough to warrant being iced when she got home. Her ankle, too. Damn. The next time she talked to Kari, she’d—

There was a whisper, then a shuffle of feet.

She whipped her head around and surveyed her surroundings. Nothing but an empty sidewalk lined with colorful awnings, large potted plants and—

A shadow on the ground outside the vintage clothing store she’d just passed looked a little odd. She narrowed her eyes. It definitely didn’t match those cast by the plants in a nearby pot. It seemed thicker. Like…a person.

Was someone hiding behind one of the trees? Was…was someone following her? A cold lick of fear snaked down her spine, threatening to morph into panic.

She walked away as fast as she