My Immortal (27 page)

“Yes, it does.” Damien kissed her softly, passionately. “For the first time in two centuries when I look into the future it’s not empty, but full of happiness. Can you see that too?”

“Yes.” And Marley pictured a playset in the yard, right where Alex had placed it in her vision, to remind them of where they’d been, what they had, and what they’d refused to submit to.

“I definitely can see it, Damien, and it’s beautiful.”

Rosa had missed New Orleans, missed the heat and the laid-back attitude, the river, and the crowded French Quarter. So when she returned, she strolled through Jackson Square, took great amusement in getting her palm read by a grizzly haired fortune teller, and treated herself to dinner at Muriel’s.

Then she went to Bourbon Street, bored and restless, and walked, not sure what she was looking for, but feeling that hunger rise inside her, that burbling need for satisfaction, for a man.

The October air was getting crisp, but the doors to the bars were still thrown open in welcome, and Rosa caught the eye of a good-looking guy sitting alone at a round table, two empty shot glasses in front of him, a third full glass raised to his lips. She went in as he tossed it back and saluted her with the empty, a welcoming, suggestive smile on his face.

“What are you drinking?” she asked, sliding onto the stool across from him.

“Absolut and Baileys.”

“Together? Disgusting. But it will get you suitably shitfaced if that’s the goal.”

“Yep. Might as well enjoy life while I can.” He flagged down the bartender. “Nobody lives forever.”

Rosa smiled. He had very nice teeth, and his eyes crinkled at the edges when he spoke. She leaned forward, her leg brushing against his. “Would you like to live forever?”