Page 52 of Split or Swallow

“Let me know when you find one.”

The second she said it, victory flared in Leo’s eyes.

“I shall,” he said quietly.

Tem rolled her eyes again but it was too late. She’d let their banter go too far, and now Leo thought he had a chance. The worst part was, he did. Tem didn’t know what it would take—certainly not a bath and champagne—but given the right circumstances, she would go to his room.

“You know,” Leo said, swirling the ice cube in his glass. “We’re meant to kiss tonight.”

Tem sighed.

“I know.”

“Any preference on where and when?”

“Are you saying I have a choice?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

Tem crossed her arms, looking incredulously up at him.

“Do you have a preference?”

“Of course. But I’d rather hear yours.”

Tem couldn’t help but wonder what his preference was.

She shrugged.

“My preference doesn’t matter.”

“I beg to differ.”

He sounded sincere. Tem eyed him warily.

“I’d prefer we didn’t kiss at all.”

She could barely get the words out. But she had to see how he would react. To her surprise, he smiled down at her, flashing his gold incisors in the moonlight.

“And I’d prefer you didn’t lie. But you knew that already.”

They held eye contact for a long moment. Then Leo swirled his glass once again before dumping the ice cube into the bird bath with a soft splash. His smile widened as he turned away.

“The night is young, Tem. Find me when you’re ready.”

Then he was gone.

Tem stayed outside until it became unbearable to do so. When she couldn’t take the cold any longer, she made a beeline for the closest table with food on it. She was just stuffing an unholy amount of cured bacon in her mouth when a familiar voice slid into her ear:

“Don’t eat too much, Tem. You might get fat.”

It was Vera, of course, looking down her nose like she always did.

“The prince prefers a curvy girl,” Tem said around a mouthful of bacon.

Vera scoffed. Then she groaned, rolling her shoulders.

“What’s wrong with you?” Tem asked despite herself.