The Queen Of Zombie Hearts. Gena Showalter

us—the horror!—and had busted in.

      We’d still had (most of) our clothes on, but yowza, the position she’d caught us in...

      Ever since, Nana has been attached to my side. In fact, the only time she detaches is when I’m hanging with my girls, or when I’m prowling the streets, hunting zombies.

      Don’t get me wrong. I love Nana to pieces. And so does Cole. When the three of us get together, we actually have fun. But I want more. I need more. I’m addicted to Cole’s hands...and his mouth...and oh, Ali-want, his nipple ring. Withdrawals stink!

      “What are you waiting for, love buns?” Kat banged her hand on the table. “Did I not make it clear that you don’t get a vote in this? That the tribe has spoken? You know what you gotta do, so, do it.”

      A waiter stepped up to our table before Mackenzie could respond. He set a mousse shooter in front of each of us.

      “Um.” Reeve frowned. “We didn’t order these.”

      “Compliments of the hounds in the corner.” A wink, and the waiter was off.

      In unison, my friends and I gazed at our chocolate-addiction enablers. Hot and Chartreuse lifted their own mousse shooters in a toast. Knuckle Scars just stared.

      Reminded me of Cole.

      Kat stood and called, “My friend MacLovin’ will come over and thank you in person just as soon as her heartbeat settles. You totally rocked her—”

      Mackenzie tugged on her arm, both returning her to her seat and silencing her. “Do you have to be so humiliating?”

      As the toasters high-fived, Kat slapped Mackenzie on the shoulder. “What are you complaining about? We came here to find you a date, and now, thanks to me, it’s practically mission accomplished. I’ve set the stage, so all you have to do is walk over there and pick your favorite boy toy. You’re welcome.”

      Mackenzie leaned over and bashed her forehead against the table.

      “Why are you acting like such a baby?” Kat gave her another slap. “You’re, like, some kind of super ninja warrior who spends her nights catching butterflies and—”

      “Good glory,” I said. “Stop calling it that.”

      “Seriously.” Mackenzie stopped bashing and looked up. “You make us sound like—” she shuddered “—girls.”

      Though Kat and Reeve were civilians, not slayers, they knew about the dark, secret world in operation around them. And Kat, well, she now liked to refer to slaying zombies as catching butterflies. She was sweet like that.

      “I’m fine with calling it catching butterflies,” Trina said.

      Kat smirked.

      Mackenzie gaped at Trina.

      “What?” Trina shrugged. “I’m confident in my masculinity.”

      I snorted. Trina might look like she could lift a bus, but her heart was as soft as marshmallows.

      “You should talk to the boys and get it over with, Mac.” Reeve ran her finger over the rim of her shooter and licked away the chocolate. “Kat looks ready to drag you over there.”

      “True story,” Kat said with a nod. “Just seconds away.”

      “If she does,” Reeve continued, “the last five minutes will become your happy place.”

      “Fine.” A scowling Mackenzie pushed to her feet. “But I’m not going to try to charm them.”

      “As if you could,” Kat said, and Mackenzie’s scowl darkened.

      “You’ve got this in the bag.” I truly believed that. Mac wouldn’t have to use charm. Not with a face like hers.

      All of my friends had model-perfect faces. And yet, each was so different.

      Kat, with her straight dark hair and hazel eyes, was girl-next-door lovely. Reeve, with her brown waves and doe eyes, was traffic-stopping stunning. Mackenzie, with her black curls and emerald eyes, was child-of-an-angel exquisite. And Trina, with her short spikes and black-rimmed eyes, was punk-rocker cool. I was the oddball, with pale hair and eyes so blue they were freaky.

      As Mackenzie trudged closer to the boys, a shadow fell over our table.

      Kat squealed with delight and threw herself into the arms of the culprit.

      No need to glance over to figure out who had just arrived. Frosty, her on-again, off-again boyfriend.

      They had a weird relationship, because even when they were off, they were on. Like, all-over-each-other on. I’d never seen two people more bat-crap crazy for each other.

      She peppered his face with kisses. “You came!”

      “And you look amazing.”

      “Obviously.”

      Ha! Such a perfect, confident response. Such a Kat response. I’d have to remember it the next time Cole complimented me.

      “I couldn’t stay away.” Frosty combed his fingers through Kat’s hair. “I believe your last text said, and I quote, ‘If you aren’t here within the next ten minutes, I will probably forget all about you and fall in love with someone else.’”

      My girl had such a poetic way with words.

      Lucas, as attractive as ever in a polo with the sleeves rolled up to display his dark arms to perfection, stepped out from behind Frosty. He nodded at Trina, peering at her for several seconds beyond polite. A lance of awareness arced between them. Well, well. I’d suspected they were secretly seeing each other, and this just cinched it. Good. They deserved a steamy dose of happiness.

      Kat wrapped her fingers around Frosty’s wrist and pulled him closer. “I’ve always believed open lines of communication are the key to making any relationship work. That, and presents. Do you have one for me?”

      “Me, too!” Reeve waved her hands expectantly. “Gimme.”

      Frosty ignored her. As usual, he cared only about his girl. “Shouldn’t my exalted presence be present enough? I ditched Cole and Bronx and broke speed records to come snap the spine of anyone who’s made a play for you. And since that’s surely everyone breathing, I just need you to tell me where you’d like me to start.”

      My ears perked at the mention of Cole. “Where’d you leave him?”

      Of course, Frosty ignored me, too.

      “Tatty’s Ink,” Lucas said. “Bronx is getting Reeve’s name inked into his arm. Which, I just remembered, is supposed to be a surprise.”

      Reeve cooed happily, thrilled with her boyfriend’s unexpected gift.

      I’d decided to get two new tattoos myself, so...why not drive over there now? Cole could hold my hand through the process, and afterward, he’d realize there had never been a more perfect chance for Nana-free time. Two birds, one delectable stone. Afterward, we could...do things. I shivered with anticipation.

      Knowing it would have been criminal to leave a single drop of my mousse shooter behind, I downed it and licked the rim, then licked again just to be safe. I knew I wasn’t overhyping the dessert when I muttered, “This is the best thing in the entire world.”

      “Agreed,” Reeve said.

      Finally, I made the brave decision to step between Frosty and Kat.

      Yes, other people had been donkey-punched in the throat for doing such a thing, but I was willing to risk it. I needed my best friend’s full attention.

      “I’m leaving, and I’m taking Mackenzie with me.” Love bug was my ride. “You’re not going to have as much fun without me, but I hope you’re willing to make the sacrifice.”

      Kat pursed her lips. “What about this most special of occasions?