Music, lights, a warm smile: the moment was right, he was certain. Felix cupped Madison’s cheek, leaned forward, and—

She jumped, eyes wide, and squawked like a chicken.

“Uh . . . what?”

“Sorry,” she said, forcing a chuckle. “Er . . . what were you just doing?”

“I thought . . .” He hesitated, wondering how he had misread things so badly, “I was going to kiss you?”

“Oh, that makes sense.”

“Is that okay?”

She tried to nod, tried to smile, but couldn’t quite do either. “It’s just . . . you didn’t eat the garlic bread.”

Felix glanced over at his plate of cold bread, and his face grew red. “I . . . well I was worried about my breath.”

“Right,” she said. “Of course.”

“Can we try again?”

Madison nodded with a smile that seemed completely genuine. Once more Felix leaned in, reached toward her face and—

“Don’t touch my neck, hellspawn!”

Felix nearly fell backward in his chair, arms raised in alarm. Yes, he had definitely misread this whole situation.

“Oh god,” she groaned, flush with embarrassment. “You’re not a vampire.”

“No?”

Madison winced.

“Look, maybe another time we can—”

SMACK!

Felix reached up to the red handprint on his cheek.”

“Had to make sure you weren’t a ghost.”

* * *