Page 23 of Loving A Vampire Is Total Chaos

I take a sip of the pop I bought halfway through the game and try not to laugh at her confused face. A weird, distant growling noise tickles my ear but looking around I don’t see anything out of the ordinary. Must be the lane machinery.

Setting my cup down I finally respond. “He’s super easy to get along with but I don’t know if the spark is there, you know?” She nods in silence and doesn’t push the issue any further, but there’s no mistaking the flash of sadness in her eyes.

I wish she understood that I’mokay. Sure, I’d love to find a man I enjoy spending time with but I’m content on my own. It’s going to take someone special for me to want to be around them like how Ava is with Spencer.

I almost groan at how good it feels to stretch when I stand and reach my arms up. Taking in the room I see the bowling alley is almost completely cleared out since the facility closes soon. A few stragglers remain finishing their games like us, but it’s gotten much quieter. I risk a glance toward the counter but am slightly disappointed to see Zavier isn’t there. Sitting back down on the hard blue chair I settle in to wait for Asher when it’s like I manifest the man I was hoping to see.

A long, elegant finger taps my shoulder, and I turn to see Zavier with a hand extended and a piece of paper with a message written on it. Confusion must show on my features, but I accept the scrap of paper any way.

“Saw your friend doing the boot scoot and he asked me to deliver this message. I won’t charge a delivery fee.” Tipping his head toward the note with subtle amusement in his eyes I quickly read it.

In scrawling handwriting it says;

So sorry for the abrupt departure but I have a family emergency I have to attend to. I had a great time tonight! -Asher

“He left?” Ava asks incredulously, peeking over my shoulder to read.

“Looks that way.” Zavier shrugs his broad shoulders and walks away.

“Well, that’s shitty. I guess a family emergency is something you can’t mess around with but he picked you up,” she sighs, and I swear she’s more upset than me if the dejected tilt of her shoulders is anything to go by. “Let’s just leave, we were almost done anyways. Spence and I can drop you off at your apartment.”

We start to gather our things and put our less clownish shoes back on. Slinging my purse over my shoulder we head toward the front door and drop our bowling shoes on the counter. Just as we’re about to make it out we’re stopped by a familiar figure.

“I’d be happy to take Celine home. I’m clocked out and we’re actually going to the same place.” Zavier’s back in regular attire and holds car keys in his hand. I’m mesmerized when he swings them around with ease before catching them out of the air.

“Wait, you two know each other?” Spencer points between us and I see Ava perk up at the statement. She clocked something was going on from the start at the counter.

Zavier’s pressing gaze forces me to answer when he doesn’t. “We live close to each other actually. He just moved in.” I wince knowing Ava’s going to have a field day with the information.

“Are you now?” Her blond brows raise. “What a small world.” Eyes darting back and forth between the two of us I avoid eye contact but don’t miss her grin.

“Do you feel comfortable going home with him?” I don’t miss the wrinkle in Zavier’s brow when Spencer asks. “Neighbors or not, that doesn’t mean you know him well.”

I swear I see a flash of something like appreciation in Zavier’s eyes at Spencer’s concern for my safety.

By how dejected Ava seems to be feeling at another of my failed dates, I don’t know if I can sit in a car with her right now. I’d also hate to make them go out of their way to drop me off at home.

“Thanks for the concern, Spencer, but I’ll be fine. Zavier’s harmless.” Shifting over to stand by the man in question, I look up at him. Craning my neck slightly to take in his full form, I find he’s already watching me. “Plus, I am an officer and between that and my boxing sessions, my self-defense skills aren’t lacking.” Zavier smiles at my comment. “So there will be no funny business.”

Ava clears her throat and breaks the spell. “Okay, well, I’ll see you tomorrow, Celine. Text me when you make it home.” I nod in understanding, and she gives Zavier a scolding look. “Take care of her.”

“You never have to worry about that,” he responds with a slight growl in his tone.

They continue their stare down until she must see something that sets herself at ease. Spencer wraps an arm around her shoulders and pulls her outside with a last small wave.

Zavier holds the door open for me and winks. "Shall we?”

CHAPTER 11

ZAVIER

Celine touched me.

Celine.

Touched.

Me.

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