Page 31 of Little Wing
“If you’d like, I could pretend I’m the voicemail.” I heard him stifle a soft laugh on the other end. “This is Silas Clark. Sorry I missed your call. Do me a favor and leave a message after the beep and I’ll get back to you soon.”
He paused.
Silence.
“Beeeeep.”
My laugh settled in my chest, low and amused. I couldn’t explain it beyond simply feeling and understanding that there was peace and comfort in Silas.
“Hello Silas, this is Lotus Evans. I wanted to let you know that I had a wonderful time with you and your family. It looks like your grand opening will be a success if tonight’s turnout was any indicator.” I played with the hem of my dress, my hand running up and down my thigh. “I also wanted to say that… I appreciate your patience with me. I hope someday soon I can show you all of me.”
“Woah—sexy, Lotus,” Silas chuckled.
“Silas! This is a voicemail!”
“Got it, got it.”
My smile only grew. “You may not understand my need for the makeup, but I wanted to thank you for not prying and forcing me to come bare faced. I sincerely hope it won’t be long before we can see each other again…”
I sat on the floor listening to the silence on the line, awaiting a reaction—anything!
The sound of rustling finally sounded, like papers being shuffled around on a table. “Woah, hey, Lotus. Just got your message,” he said. “I’m so glad you want to meet up again. You know, if Quinn didn’t scare you away, then I was hoping you could be my plus-one for the grand opening of Little Wing at the end of this week.”
“R-really?” I stammered. Inviting me to this mixer of sorts was one thing, but the actual grand opening? As his plus-one?
“Yeah. If your friends want to come too, they’re more than welcome. Clearly, they support the vampires in their life.”
I bit down on my lip, taking a moment before responding to his invitation. “Of course, I’ll let them know. You know Reina won’t pass up coming to an event like that.”
Even after the unease left and our plans were confirmed, we remained on the phone. We talked about whatever came to mind, like our favorite foods when we were human or the movies that we enjoyed. And when silence settled for a beat, we still stayed on the line. Speaking with Silas and even sitting in silence with him provided me a comfort he likely didn’t know how much I appreciated. Even if I was concerned about the restroom gossip I overheard, I just wanted this moment with Silas, even if just for a little.
“Hey, Lotus?” Silas asked as he grunted. He sounded further away from his phone, but the unmistakable sound of fabric shifting had me covering my mouth. Oh my gods, was Silas undressing while on the phone with me? I was still seated against my cabinet, squeezing my eyes shut to keep my mind from wandering to what he looked like, smelled like.
“Mmhmm?” I hummed past tight lips.
“I’m really enjoying getting to know you. And I hope you know I mean that in all the ways you’ve let me learn about you.”
I pressed the phone close against my ear as I quickly helped myself up to my feet and hurried straight to my bedroom, to sit on the edge of my bed. Each slow beat of my heart thumped in my ears as I unpackedhis statement. That not-so-subtle hint that he still thought of the last time we were alone together.
“I’m really enjoying my time with you, too.”
As I sat, I thought about how easy it would be to pull the imaginary string that would unveil everything I was fighting to conceal. Would Silas be the one to finally listen? To finally believe me and not those ugly articles demonizing me? As much as I wanted him to know everything, I pulled myself back. What was I thinking? Of course it would ruin it. If I told him everything, then it would all fall apart. The illusion of Lotus the enigma, Lotus the shy one—it would shatter and maybe he would join the group of vampires still set on destroying me.
For now, I would take and savor the tender moments between us.
“It’s nice to talk to someone who understands,” I said softly.
“You mean someone who understands all the crazy shit we lived through? The diseases, wars, and crazy technological advancements? I mean, I never thought we’d see self-driving cars. Or cars in general!”
“Believe it or not, Reina and Kait can’t exactly sympathize with a lot of that.”
I waited a moment longer before glancing at the small crack between the window shade and the dresser. Sunrise was on the horizon and the evening’s fatigue was settling. “I guess I better get some rest, Silas. You too… you have a big day coming up soon.”
“Rest well, Lotus. I’ll see you soon.”
With the promise that I would attend the grand opening of Little Wing, our conversation ended, and I found myself laying on my back, staring at the popcorn ceiling. The tightness in my chest stirred, a gentle tug that made my throat constrict. I pressed my hands firmly between my breasts—forcing as much pressure as I could above my heart, like a response to the leash I was attached to.
“Luca,” I begged. “Please leave. Please do not come seeking me. Please don’t ruin this for me, not again.”
