Vane yelped and dodged away from it.
Bride patted his head, then moved the box. "You didn't have to do that, you know?" He could sense she was a bit irritated at her friend, but underneath she seemed pleased. "Okay, I'm coming to let you in."
Bride hung up the phone, then grabbed her keys and opened her door. Vane followed her outside to the street where she opened the wrought-iron door to let Tabitha, who stood on the other side with a wheeled cart loaded with bags, into the courtyard.
"Good grief!" Bride said as she saw bags. "What did you do?"
Tabitha shrugged. "Creature comforts every woman should have." She handed a six-pack of Corona Light beer over to Bride, then wheeled her cart inside.
Bride locked the door and followed Tabitha.
Vane trailed behind them.
Once they were inside the small apartment, Tabitha smiled down at him. "I had a feeling you'd still be here."
She pulled a bone out of the top sack and unwrapped it.
He grimaced inwardly as she set it down on the ground. There was no way in hell he was going to chew on that.
His gaze went to Bride. She was the only chew toy that interested him.
Bride stood with her hands on her hips. "Tabitha" "Don't, Bride. As a recent member of the I-Ain't-Got-No-Man-and-Don't-Ever-Want-Another-One Club, I know the last thing you need is to be alone tonight." She pulled a set of silk sheets out of the sack.
"What are these?"
"I told you, creature comforts. We have everything in here. Krispy Kreme doughnuts, beer, soda, creme horns, potato chips, dip, and enough hunk-filled DVDs to sink the Titanic. It's time for a hunk fest of men who can't break your heart." Tabitha handed her a small bag.
Bride shook her head. "Thank you, Tabby. I really appreciate this."
"No prob."
Vane sat back as Tabitha hooked up the TV and VCR while Bride opened up boxes that held plates and silverware.
"I'm glad I kept all this," Bride said as she dusted off a crate and set it up like a coffee table in front of the TV. "Taylor didn't want all my things mixed in with his. I should have known then, shouldn't I?"
It was all Vane could do to stay in wolf form. He wanted to soothe her so much, but didn't dare. Especially not with Tabitha present.
"Don't think about it, hon," Tabitha said as she popped the sealed top off the beer with her bare hand and handed it to Bride. "We never see the signs we don't want to see. You know? Look on the bright side, at least your guy didn't leave you because you were nuts."
"You're not nuts."
Tabitha gave a disbelieving laugh at that. "Yeah, right. Amanda aside, only fruits and nuts come out of my family tree. But hey, at least we're entertaining."
Bride gave her a chiding stare. "Does Mina know you say that?"
"Mina? She's a bigger loon than I am. Have you seen her collection of ancient vampire-killing kits? I swear she's the one who made that anonymous bid at Sotheby's for that turn-of-the-century vampire-slaying kit."
Tabitha placed an entire doughnut into her mouth and swallowed it whole.
Bride wrinkled her nose at the action. "Please tell me how you stay so skinny eating the way you do. I barely eat half a Pop-Tart and I gain thirty pounds. I swear I've seen you eat more tonight than I eat in an entire week."
Tabitha licked the sugar from her fingers. "You sound like Amanda."
"Why would she say that? You guys are twins and she's every bit as twiggy as you are."
"Yeah, but she's a good fifteen pounds heavier than I am and she hates me for it. I don't know why you guys complain, at least you two have boobs. I have the body of a twelve-year-old boy."
Bride scoffed. "Any time you want, I'll trade you."