In a flash, Annie crossed the room, taking me into her arms, letting me cry on her shoulder. “It’ll be okay, Abigail. Zac will be okay, I promise.”

“I know, Annie,” I replied. “Thanks. It’s just hard. I know what he’s going through. And I know he’s trying to protect me from it, but him pushing me away feels too much like a rejection. I just hope he still wants me after he’s a vamp.”

“What?” Annie smiled, pulling me back to look into my eyes, incredulous. “Please tell me you didn’t say that, Star! For someone so smart, you sure can think the dumbest things!”

“Thanks a lot, Annie,”...