“You seem to be a regular?” Breanna asked after regaining a semblance of composure.

“Hmmm,” Evelyn said. “Three months now. How did you know?”

“You can’t dress like that and be a maid,” Breanna observed.

Evelyn smirked, enjoying the tiny tells that were giving her a clearer picture of who Breanna was. The notebook was work related, and she focused on it exclusively until Evelyn distracted her. Still, a part of Breanna was bored, yearning for something, but had no time to explore her interests.

The Georgian also had an eye for detail. Evelyn even suspected that Breanna already knew her name from passing conversations. I have to assume that blood or using my voice will have no effect.

“He’s a dark one…” the Georgian. “I’m game, miss?”

“Evelyn,” she replied. “Who do I have the pleasure of sharing a meal with?”

“Breanna,” the Georgian replied.

“Quite a fitting name,” Evelyn shot back before sitting on the opposing side of the circular booth.

Even the hint of a compliment made those cheeks flush with blood. I wonder if she’s aware of her sapphic inclinations.

That led to a further round of laughter to the point of bringing tears to their eyes. This gave Evelyn the opportunity to slip into the next part of her plan.

“Say,” Evelyn said after hiring her lower lip. “Have you eaten?”

On the table there were two bottles of that orange soft drink. The first was empty and the second was still mostly full, but humidity no longer clung to the surface.

“No,” the Georgian replied. “Weren’t you leaving?”

“That bartender gives me the heebie jeebies…” Evelyn said. “If I were with you, we could fend off the fellas and enjoy our meal.”

“Why must we suffer for our beauty?” Evelyn asked.

The Georgian huffed, as this was clearly a sore point for the lass. Evelyn had to be careful here, and was ready to pivot if this went nowhere.

“We both know the reason,” The Georgian replied.

Evelyn giggled, every sound rolling off her tongue as though it was a musical instrument. It proved to be infectious as the lass soon joined in.

When Evelyn began to make a M sound the other joined in.

“Men!” They said in unison.

She then angled her head to the side and cocked the opposing eyebrow for effect.

“Not quite understandable?” Evelyn asked. “If I offended you in—(any way.)”

Those big blue eyes increased in size exponentially. Evelyn knew it was not a slip of the tongue, but this was a wonderful way to throw the Georgian off.

“No,” the Georgian exclaimed. “I meant that I sympathize.”

Evelyn’s eyes came a glow while remaining locked on the Georgian’s eyes.

“Why must we suffer for our beauty?” Evelyn asked.

“Oui,” Evelyn replied after sending a puff of air to clear out a strand of stray hair. (Yes.) “I’m sorry, have I disturbed you?”

If there was one thing vampires excelled at, it was selling a lie. Evelyn also has the added advantage of being able to quicken her breathing and heart rate to match.

The Georgian looked down at her notebook and groaned. While focused on it at the exclusion of everything else, it seemed that she had little interest in it.

“It’s not—(thing.) quite understandable,” the Georgian replied.

Evelyn smiled as only she could. It was a smile that promised the world of only one surrendered to her entirely. It originated in life as a courtesan and she improved upon it through centuries and confidence.

The redhead eyes transitioned from what appeared to be a notebook and moved onto the dark haired beauty. The transition from surprise, annoyance, and settling on surprise was quick and honest. Whatever she was doing it was her world until I walked by.

“Everything okay?” the Georgian asked.

Evelyn took a moment to remove her broken shoe followed closely by the other. The carpeting is surprisingly plush.

“Oui,” Evelyn replied after sending a puff of air to clear out a strand of stray hair. (Yes.) “I’m sorry, have I disturbed you?”

Evelyn grabbed her clutch and walked towards the exit. On her way past the lass she dug in her heel into the plush carpeting and applied just enough strength to snap it off entirely. The snap rang out clearly throughout the lounge.

 “Merde,” Evelyn swore. (Shit!)

Evelyn was quite graceful, courtesy of countless dance lessons. To sell the deception she feigned a stumble and grabbed into the booth table to steady herself.

Her hair was as red as fire while her bare skin was milky white. Everything was in the right place and beautifully shaped as though engineered. Plentiful bosun’s, large hips, and an exaggerated hourglass shape.

This one was everything that Evelyn was not and that might turn out to be a stumbling block. This vampire spent centuries hating everything about herself, and being rejected by every man in her life did little to help with self-esteem. This century’s doing wonders for my ego.

All of those details were visible even through her clothes. The dress was comparatively utilitarian, and very little thought had gone into her appearance. The things I could do with her hair.

She finished off her champagne in several large gulps. The alcohol would have no effect on her, but it helped physiologically. The mind makes it real.

She twirled around on the stool and used the opportunity to get a better look. Had this been three centuries ago, she might have gasped. The supposed Georgian was a nearly flawless Scottish lass.

Her hair was as red as fire while her bare skin was milky white. Everything was in the right place and beautifully shaped as though engineered. Plentiful bosun’s, large hips, and an exaggerated hourglass shape.