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“Something like that.” I clear my throat leaving out the detail of Ava forcing the date on Celine. “I’m glad you find my situation so funny, but seriously, I’m desperate.” My knees thud on the ground as I grab his hands and plead in front of him dramatically. “Please, Tom.”

“Okay, okay,” he grumbles and throws my hand off his leg. I settle in my seat once again.

“Back when my Betsy Jo was still alive, we loved to go to Navy Pier and ride the Ferris wheel.” A nostalgic look smooths out his wrinkles, and his eyes zone out, lost in a memory. “We’d bribe the attendant to let us ride multiple times without gettingoff and kissed whenever we reached the top. She always scolded me for doing it, but I knew she secretly loved it.” He winks at me and a sigh leaves his lips. “The view is fantastic at night and there are plenty of establishments to get dinner at so that’s my vote.”

I rub my chin in thought. I already came up with the Navy Pier idea but crossed it off due to my fear that it might be too cliche. Something with a beautiful view is a great idea, though.

At my silence, he continues, “Something else we did was grab dinner and then catch a movie afterwards. If Celine's a detective like you said maybe she’d like the new thriller flick.” Tilting his head in thought he laughs to himself. “Or there’s a showing of that 2000’s vampire romance. If you’re into that stuff.”

“What’s wrong with vampires?” I gasp.

“Immortal beings that either sparkle or burn in the sun? Pfft.”

“Well, both are untrue ... so...” He can’t hear me over his laughter, not that I want him to, but I still feel the need to defend myself. Fucker.

“Just don’t overthink the date thing, Zac. Women aren’t as hard to please as you’d think. Just show that you put a lot of thought and care into it.”

“How did you know Betsy Jo was the one?” Curiosity gets the better of me. I’ve never flat out asked him before in fear of bringing up old wounds.

Tom flashes the biggest grin, and I can’t help but smile back at the adoration in his eyes. There’s also a sheen of sorrow and loneliness that I know stems from the loss of his person. Having his kids and grandkids around helps soothe the ache but he still misses his love.

If Celine was ever taken from me...

No. I can’t think that way.

I suppress a growl that threatens to rise up in my throat and lick my fangs that have descended in anger. The napkin on the table in front of me shifts slightly at the breath I blow out to calm myself. My canines thankfully retract.

This whole mates thing is hard. I’ve had three-hundred years to learn how to control myself, but finding my mate has thrown all that out the window.

“It was love at first sight. Well, maybe not for her, but it was for me.”

Out of my peripheral I spy a few patrons listening in. Tom has a way of drawing people in even though he can come off as brash at first.

“People think it’s crazy, but I swear time stopped when she walked in the room.”

His eyes go distant and I just know he’s reliving a memory.

Shaking himself free, he says, “All right, that’s enough of that, scram everyone. I can only be mushy for so long.” He waves his hands in the air as if swatting the crowd away. They disperse and it’s left just us once again.

“Next time we’re having a rematch so I can beat your ass in chess.” He smiles at me, and I lightly pat his back, glad he’s not letting our last conversation ruin his mood.

“You got it, Tom.”

“What?”

“Bye Tom!”

“Uh huh.” He makes a shooing motion with his hand. “Now get out and go plan your date.”

Back to our usual banter, I tip my invisible hat to him and rush out the door an excited but nervous mess.

CHAPTER 15

CELINE

Captain Barnes ambles over to my desk and taps it with the folded papers he holds. “Witness here for you, Brennan.”

"For me?” I wrack my brain for what it could possibly be for. Running my fingers through the long strands of my ponytail, I give him an imploring stare.