Date with a Vampire Read Online Free

their shoes to do a traditional island dance that things started to get out of control. Her father, a normally reserved accountant, had way too much to drink. She understood he was nervous about his baby girl traveling so far away, but dancing on the table was not a good thing. And then when Mom tried to pull him off and knocked the strawberry cream cake onto the floor instead, it was time to leave. And fast. Before the staff at La Folay threw everyone out.
    There were plenty of hugs, kisses, and tears, and Melody couldn’t wait to get home. Once inside the tranquil walls of her apartment, she wondered if she was doing the right thing. Fiji was so far way. She might as well be going to the moon. And that feeling of dread had not gone away.
    She’d tossed and turned all night, and as the pounding in her head increased, so did her fear. Starring in a reality show. Had she lost her mind? Twenty gorgeous guys would soon be vying for her love and attention. How would she cope? A blind date was enough to send her into panic mode, but twenty dates? And on national television? She squeezed her eyes shut to keep the room from spinning. Bile rose up in her throat, and she swallowed hard.
    “Coool! Did you know that Fiji lies in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, halfway between the Equator and the South Pole?” The sound of Ann’s voice took her mind off her misery, at least temporarily.
    “Uh-huh.” Melody opened her eyes and looked over at her best friend curled up on the easy chair across the room. With straight brown hair, pecan-colored eyes, freckled skin and a love for neutral-colored clothes, Ann was as nondescript as one could get, but she had more heart than anyone Melody had ever known.
    “And did you know that it’s home to six species of bats?” Ann held a travelogue of the island on her lap.
    “And I need to know that because…?”
    “Because it’s interesting. Mel, you’re going to a beautiful tropical island halfway around the world. Imagine white sandy beaches, crystal-clear azure water, the gentle breeze blowing over your sun-bronzed skin. And I’ll be here in Hope, taking my wool sweaters out of mothballs. It might only be September, but winter will be here too soon for my liking.”
    “I’d be happy to let you go in my place.”
    Ann raised an eyebrow at her. “Don’t be ridiculous. You know I can’t do that. Besides, once you get there, I’m sure you’re going to love it. Just watch out for the cannibals.”
    The thought of people eating other people made her stomach churn, and Melody clamped her hand over her mouth.
    Ann giggled. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to gross you out. And by the way, that practice ended a long time ago.”
    “Thanks. I feel much better now.”
    Her friend uncurled her long thin legs and bounded across the room like a rambunctious puppy. She plopped down next to Melody on the couch. “I can’t believe you’re leaving tomorrow. I know you’ll only be gone a few months, but I’m going to miss you so much.”
    A lump formed in Melody’s throat, making it difficult to speak. She fought hard to keep the tears clouding her eyes from spilling onto her cheeks. She mustn’t cry. She’d done enough of that last night. As she took a deep breath and swallowed, she tried to think happy thoughts.
    “I’ll be back home before you know it. You’ll see.” Melody wasn’t sure if she’d succeeded in cheering up Ann, but she still felt awful.
    “I want you to have this.” Ann reached behind her neck and undid the clasp to the tiny gold cross she always wore. Though both girls were Christians, Ann attended church weekly, while Melody was less regular. Christmas, Easter, and a Sunday or two sprinkled in between.
    She pushed Ann’s hand away. “I couldn’t,” she sputtered. “I can’t take that from you.” Ann’s dad had been killed in a car accident when she was a little girl. It was the last thing he’d given to her.
    “Okay, then, if you won’t keep it, just borrow it.