red enamel earrings and red high-heeled screw-me shoes. I had a little red straw purse. I put on light makeup and wore my wavy hair loose down my back.

Gran’s eyes opened wide when I came out of my room.

“Honey, you look beautiful,” she said. “Aren’t you going to be a little cold in that dress?”

I grinned. “No, ma’am, I don’t think so. It’s pretty warm outside.”

“Wouldn’t you like to wear a nice white sweater over that?”

“No, I don’t think so.” I laughed. I had pushed the other vampires far enough back in my mind to where looking sexy was okay again. I was pretty excited about having a date, though I had kind of asked Bill myself and it was more of a fact-finding mission. That, too, I tried to forget, so I could just enjoy myself.

Sam called me to tell me my paycheck was ready. He asked if I’d come in and pick it up, which I usually did if I wasn’t going to work the next day.

I drove to Merlotte’s feeling a little anxious at walking in dressed up.

But when I came in the door, I got the tribute of a moment of stunned silence. Sam’s back was to me, but Lafayette was looking through the hatch and Rene and JB were at the bar. Unfortunately, so was my brother, Jason, whose eyes opened wide when he turned to see what Rene was staring at.

“You lookin’ good, girl!” called Lafayette enthusiastically. “Where you get that dress?”

“Oh, I’ve had this old thing forever,” I said mockingly, and he laughed.

Sam turned to see what Lafayette was gawking at, and his eyes got wide, too.

“God almighty,” he breathed. I walked over to ask for my check, feeling very self-conscious.

“Come in the office, Sookie,” he said, and I followed him to his small cubicle by the storeroom. Rene gave me a half-hug on my way by him, and JB kissed my cheek.

Sam rummaged through the piles of paper on top of his desk, and finally came up with my check. He didn’t hand it to me, though.

“Are you going somewhere special?” Sam asked, almost unwillingly.

“I have a date,” I said, trying to sound matter-of-fact.

“You look great,” Sam said, and I saw him swallow. His eyes were hot.

“Thank you. Um, Sam, can I have my check?”

“Sure.” He handed it to me, and I popped it in my purse.

“Good-bye, then.”

“Good-bye.” But instead of indicating I should leave, Sam stepped over and smelled me. He put his face close to my neck and inhaled. His brilliant blue eyes closed briefly, as if to evaluate my odor. He exhaled gently, his breath hot on my bare skin.

I stepped out of the door and left the bar, puzzled and interested in Sam’s behavior.

When I got home a strange car was parked in front of the house. It was a black Cadillac, and it shone like glass. Bill’s. Where did they get the money to buy these cars? Shaking my head, I went up the steps to the porch and walked in. Bill turned to the door expectantly; he was sitting on the couch talking to Gran, who was perched on one arm of an old overstuffed chair.

When he saw me, I was sure I’d overdone it, and he was really angry. His face went quite still. His eyes flared. His fingers curved as if he were scooping something up with them.

“Is this all right?” I asked anxiously. I felt the blood surge up into my cheeks.

“Yes,” he said finally. But his pause had been long enough to anger my grandmother.

“Anyone with a brain in his head has got to admit that Sookie is one of the prettiest girls around,” she said, her voice friendly on the surface but steel underneath.

“Oh, yes,” he agreed, but there was a curious lack of inflection in his voice.

Well, screw him. I’d tried my best. I stiffened my back, and said, “Shall we go, then?”

“Yes,” he said again, and stood. “Good-bye, Mrs. Stackhouse. It was a pleasure seeing you again.”

“Well, you two have a good time,” she said, mollified. “Drive careful, Bill, and don’t drink too much.”

He raised an eyebrow. “No, ma’am.”

Gran let that sail right on past.

Bill held my car door open as I got in, a carefully calculated series of maneuvers to keep as much of me as possible in the dress. He shut the door and got in on the driver’s side. I wondered who had taught him to drive a car. Henry Ford, probably.

“I’m sorry I’m not dressed