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Angela nodded and fell quiet for a moment, seeming to ruminate over what she’d learned. Her eyes wandered to the car radio, which was now playing Take the A Train. “I assume you were a jazz fan back in its heyday.”

“I wish, but I’ve only recently taken to jazz and swing dance because of Hugo. He performs at our favorite bar. No, back in the 1920s, I was still listening to tragic operas and Gothic orchestral music.” Ezekiel cringed. “I was very much the stereotypical gloomy vampire”—he made a melodramatic gesture with his hand—“dressed in nothing but black and sequestered within my dark eerie mansion out on the moors.”

“Seriously?” Angela gave Ezekiel a once over and shook her head. “I can’t imagine you like that. You’re so friendly and amusing.”

Ezekiel flashed Angela a grin, fangs negligently exposed. “I amuse you, do I?”

Angela laughed and looked away. “You amuse everyone.”

“Everyone except Corin.”

“I think Uncle Corin finds you entertaining from time to time.”

“Perhaps.” Ezekiel recognized the street they were on. They would arrive at Angela and Corin’s apartment building soon. “You can thank Prudence for my improved sociability. Her friendship restored something in me that I thought died a long time ago. If not for her, I doubt you would’ve found me the least bit amusing.”

Angela gave Ezekiel a speculative look. “You know, you don’t have to try so hard to make people like you.”

Ezekiel felt a twinge of self-consciousness but tried to hide it with a smirk. “Who says I’m trying?”

“I’m serious,” Angela asserted. “You don’t have to prioritize everyone else’s amusement and comfort all the time. When you’re feeling sad or angry, it’s okay to show it. I’m not saying you should pulverize concrete or unveil every time you lose your temper.”

“Oh, God,” Ezekiel groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I still can’t believe I did that in front of you. I’m so sorry.”

 “Hey, I know you feel embarrassed for getting upset in front of me outside that church, but it’s okay.” Angela reached over and cupped Ezekiel’s hand on the steering wheel. “One perk of having friends is letting them support you when you need help—comfort you when you’re hurting—just like you’ve been supporting and comforting me since we first met.”

Ezekiel avoided eye contact, his eyes trained on their approaching destination. What Angela said touched him, but he couldn’t accept it. He didn’t deserve support or comfort from others. He just didn’t, and he was ashamed he fell apart in front of Angela after the church bells ceased. “We’re here.” He pulled up to the curb and parked outside Angela’s apartment building. “I’ll walk you to the door.”

Angela didn’t protest, and Ezekiel escorted her the short distance up the steps to the building’s main entrance. Angela took out her keys, weighed them in her hand for a moment, then turned back to Ezekiel. “I meant what I said. You’ve helped me so much in the short time we’ve known each other. I want to be there for you too.”

Ezekiel’s chest tightened at those words, heart swelling with affection. “That’s unnecessary, but it means a great deal to me to hear you say that.”

Angela hugged Ezekiel, and he stiffened, his budding infatuation for Angela almost breaking through. He stilled his breath and closed his eyes, stopping those desires just in time, forcing them down deeper—down, down, deep down where Angela would never sense them. Once he regained control, he slid his arms around Angela and kissed her forehead. “Thank you for being my friend, Angela Thorne.”

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