Page 21 of Loving A Vampire Is Total Chaos

The metal knob squeaks when it turns, and I pour in some vanilla scented salts while it fills. A few tendrils of hair escape the high bun I throw it in after stripping off my clothes. Steam begins to fill the bathroom, and I settle into the water with a tray over top the tub with my book and snack once it’s at the perfect height and temperature.

Despite the relaxing nature of the bubble bath, I can’t help but think of the, no doubt, doomed double date tomorrow. My stomach begins to sour, and I soon find myself getting out of the bath. Freaking Ava and her need to get me into a relationship is ruining one of my favorite things. Drying off, I tug on my pajamas and climb into bed. I only read a few more pages of my book before my eyes are too heavy to continue and I drift off to sleep with the book still half open on my bed.

“You’re a detective?” Asher’s honey smooth voice fills the car as we drive away from my apartment to meet up with Ava and Spencer.

“I am. I recently got promoted.” I try to sound enthused but fail miserably. I’m not in the mood to go on a date and it’s showing, which isn’t fair to Asher. He was conned into this as much as I was, I’m sure, but I should at least give the date a fair shot.

I feel the weight of Asher’s eyes but can’t find it in myself to look at him. Suddenly the dripping of rain on the window is the most fascinating thing I’ve ever seen.

“Look, I know Ava kind of forced this date on you, but you seem like a cool girl, and I’d love to give this an actual go.”The genuine tone in his voice has me glancing over to see the sincerity shining in his brown eyes. I can’t help but think about how dull they look in comparison to a certain pair of emerald eyes I’ve seen recently.

I deflate and my tough girl act crumbles. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” Wringing my hands uncomfortably in my lap I continue. “It’s hard for me to say no to Ava when she sets me up on dates. I think I’ve gotten to the point where I shut down before the date even starts. I promise to be more engaged.”

“Let’s just have fun, okay? We’ll bowl and chat and get to know each other. No pressure. At the end of the night if there’s no chemistry, we go our separate ways with no hard feelings. Sound fair?” When he puts it that way how can I argue.

My high ponytail slips over my shoulder as I nod, and the relief is evident in his face.

“I’ve got mad bowling skills so prepare to be impressed.” He breaks the awkward air with his declaration, and I huff out a laugh.

I arch a brow in challenge. “Oh yeah? My aim is spot on with my firearm training, so we’ll see about that.” Just then his playlist changes to a new song. “You’re playing Motley Crüe, which I can fully appreciate.”

We both smile and I relax for the first time since I got in the car.

We pull up to the bowling alley and I spy Spencer’s white car idling next to an empty spot which Asher promptly fills.

“You’re here!” Ava wraps her arms around me in a bone crushing hug when I step out of the car. Asher tries to sprint over and open the door for me but I’m not that type of girl. He does hand me an umbrella though to protect against the rain since I foolishly didn’t bring my own. What the hell is with this weather lately?

“Of course I’m here. You forced me,” I whisper in her ear, and she laughs.

“Well, someone has to. You’re too much of a hermit. You know what they say, the best duos are made up of the grumpy friend and the sunshine one.”

I let out a humorless laugh. “Watch who you’re calling grumpy.”

She gives me a playful shove, and we dissolve into giggles.

Out of my peripheral I see Asher and Spencer do the typical guy back slap greeting. Once they separate Ava skips over to her boyfriend. Linking arms with Spencer, she finger gun points at the front door and starts forward with a triumphant expression. I shake my head at her adorable dorkiness. Asher and I walk beside each other and stop just under the awning so I can shake off the umbrella. Water droplets spray everywhere as I dry it the best I can and wrap it up before we enter the building behind them. I already have a black cat and can’t be bringing an open umbrella inside for even worse luck.

The bowling alley is a super cute spot outside of the city. The quirky 80’s carpet with various shapes in neon colors fill me with a sense of nostalgia even though I’ve never been here before. A sign on the wall spouts cosmic bowling every Wednesday and I can see the blacklights hanging from the ceiling. It seems to be a family-owned business and employed by mostly teenagers.

“Let’s grab our shoes.” Asher takes charge and heads over to the counter.

I take a moment to appraise his form. I can’t lie to myself, the man is insanely good looking. A football player in his past life he still has the stocky, muscled frame. A small slit out of his eyebrow due to a past injury gives him an edgy vibe but once he opens his mouth you can tell he’s a sweetheart. He’s wearing a red and black plaid flannel on top of a black shirt with light jeans which makes him resemble a lumberjack more than anything.

“What size shoes do you need?” A strangely familiar voice asks Asher, and I tilt my head in question.

Why do I know that voice?

Stepping around Ava and over to the counter my eyes widen in shock.

“Zavier?” The incredulity is obvious in my voice. “You work here?”

Low and behold my mysterious new neighbor stands behind the counter donning a blue striped Strike Lanes uniform. We never did discuss what he did for work, but I didn’t peg him as this, not that there’s anything wrong with it.

“The one and only.” His thin silver chain catches the light when he leans over to grab Asher’s shoes. “I pick up odd jobs around town to keep me busy. Shoe size?” He nods toward the rack behind him.

“Tens, ple—” I’m promptly cut off and shock floods my features when he’s already handing me a pair of size ten shoes.

What the hell? How did he know?

---