Page 49 of Dear Mr. Vampire

“I thought about it but?—”

I don’t know why I was looking for a reason.

The rest of the ride was quiet. I didn’t know if it was wise for me to disclose some things that were happening around me. I didn’t want to scare her. She had just been through something traumatic. If she knew I had a lunatic brother and a crazy ex-wife in town, she could leave me and flee like she did with Alonzo.

I helped Chanel up to her apartment and waited while she showered. I didn’t want to leave her side. As long as she would have me, I would stay. I tucked her into bed and crawled under the covers with her. This was the only place I wanted to be.

“You don’t have to stay. It’s the middle of the day. I know you have things to do.”

“I don’t have anything to do but wait on you.”

“Do you have cameras in the hall in the basement?”

“Yes, I do.”The same camera that captured me choking my ex-wife.Sure.

“So you know.”

“I do.”

“You know about the notes.”

“I do. I checked the cameras after the second one.”

“I don’t know how to feel. Why did you let me just keep making a fool out of myself?”

“I didn’t think it was foolish.”

“It was silly and childish.”

“I have never received love letters from a woman. Having a secret admirer has been a highlight for me.”

“Seriously? First, I don’t believe you at all.”

“Why would I ever lie to you?” I would withhold the truth, but never just offer lies.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHANEL

My boss allowed me to take an entire week off of work to heal from my injuries. Going back to work after all the fanfare my assault caused was enough to wear me out. My coworkers had a welcome back party for me and it surprised me since I hadn’t been working there for long. I was a real deal Chicagoan now. I survived the mean streets of Chi-Town and I guess that was a good thing.

It was awkward every time Shawn came into the office. We’d only gone on that one date, but it was odd having to look at him. I ghosted him when I got with Zand. I ignored his text messages. Giving him the cold shoulder was hard when he popped into the office to drop off his pharmaceutical samples.

I could tell he was salty, even though I pulled him to the side and apologized. I lied and told him I wasn’t ready to date. He was a good guy, just not my good guy. Shawn saw my face and I’m sure he probably thought my little ass whooping was warranted. That’s what I get for ghosting such a handsome man like him. I’m sure he thought I’d made a big mistake letting him go.

None of it mattered. I had completely fallen for Mr. Valentine. I forgot any other men ever existed on planet earth. Zand had me in mind, body, and soul. He nursed me back to health. Ifelt safe and protected when I was with him. I could truly be me, and I had never felt that way with any other man.

Work was hectic, with parents trying to hurry and get flu shots for their kids before the frigid winter hit us. I was having my bagged lunch in the back of the pediatrician’s office when my cell phone rang.

A picture of Zand with his head on my pillow popped up on my cell phone screen. His perfect face glowed. I smiled before I answered. His face made me happy inside and out.

“Hello.” I answered with my sugary good girlfriend voice.

“Hey Daywalker. Are you having lunch?”

I loved when he called me Daywalker. After he admitted he knew I was his secret admirer, things changed. They got better. We were closer. Daywalker wasn’t your typical term of endearment, but it was something unique to us. It was personal and sweet.

“Yes, Mr. Vampire, I’m eating my turkey sandwich. What are you doing right now?”

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