Page 92 of The Order of the Bitter Hunt

Tobey caring about school work when they’re here to solve the mystery of Poppy’s death is amusing, but they’ve always been a bit of an overachiever. It’s something we have in common, even if I prefer to succeed in different ways.

Unlike me, Tobey can’t exactly afford this school without a mountain of student loans. Theyshouldmake the most of it.

I leave my shoes by the door and float through the room. “It was great.”

They lift a brow. “Really? I thought you were upset about the role…”

“Oh, I am, but I think I shone with the few lines I had.”

That has nothing to do with my good mood.

“Right…”

I turn my back to them, opening my drawer to pick a pair of pajamas. I’ll need to change soon. If I wasn’t filthy before the play, I am after everything that came next.

“It was a good night.” I finally allow myself to smile once they can’t see me.

“You’re keeping something from me.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re so quick to accuse?—”

“What is it? Did you hear about the next trial?”

“No.”

“Is it something about your family?”

“Tobey, no! It’s…” I press my lips together, suppressing laughter. “Jun.”

“I knew it!” They snap their laptop shut, scrambling off their bed. In an instant, the little twerp is all up in my face, inspecting my expression with wild eyes. “What happened? You’d better tell me. Ialwaystell you about these things.”

“You do not.”

“I do!”

I roll my eyes. “Well, there’s nothing to tell. We hooked up, and he let me drink from him again. He requested it, in fact.”

And I can’t help but gloat. Seeing how much he loves my fangs on his neck is a point of pride.

They gasp. “You didn’t.”

“Don’t worry. I made sure he had a proper snack after.”

They shake their head. “So, what does this mean for you? Are you…?”

I pile my pajamas into my arms, turning to Tobey with a furrowed brow. “I don’t know.”

This is so unlike me. I’ve always loved dating and romance. There’s a theater in it, after all; it’s a dance, a duet, a poetic thing at heart. Dating never goes this way for me. I’m the type to get to know someone before we connect intimately, and…

Well, I suppose I already know Jun. Days ago, I would have said I know himtoowell. Now, I need to know more.

Whatever we are, it’s happening too quickly.

“Figure it out,” Tobey says. “Or our investigation will become awkward.”

“You weren’t nearly as worried when it was you and Caldwell trying to figure yourselves out. We’ll be fine. Jun and I have worked together professionally for years despite the tension. It was a different sort of tension, I suppose, but we still managed.”

They narrow their eyes. “Hm…”