Page 14

There truly is no place like home, and I’d love to be there right about now.

I hate that I’m like this, and even though Ava’s meddling can be tiresome, I understand where she’s coming from. I’m never going to meet someone if I don’t get out. It’s not like my knight in shining armor is just going to burst through my door and cuddle up on the couch with me and that be that.

Looping the shoelaces through and tying tightly I stick my own legs out. “They really do. Doesn’t mean I won’t kick your ass though.” I give him a playful squeeze on his arm, trying to look like I’m more into this than I really am.

Asher laughs and stands, holding out one of his large hands for me to take.

My hand slides across his roughened palm after a moment of hesitation and he pulls me up before awkwardly letting go.

We walk over to the rack to pick out our respective balls.

I’m sure there’s a rhyme and reason to what ball you’re supposed to pick but I just go with what feels right and doesn’t seem like it’ll rip my arm out of its socket when I throw.

Asher on the other hand looks like he’s taking it very seriously, even holding the ball up to his face to closely examine the surface.

Happy with our selections we join the table again where Ava and Spencer have already picked out theirs.

“Celine, you’re up first.” Spencer points to the screen and I see my name at number one on the list.

Walking up to the lane I hold my red ball to my face and let out a breath in an effort to focus. Striding forward I wind back and let the ball go as my arm comes forward. It careens down the wood and knocks all ten pins down in one go. I let out a whoop and throw my hands up in the air.

“Damn girl!” Ava yells from her seat and I high five her when she passes by to take her turn. “You’re going to wipe the floor with these fools.”

Asher claps in disbelief. “Bringing the heat. I see how it is.”

“Did I or did I not say I was going to kick your ass?” A triumphant grin graces my face, and I fling my hair to the side dramatically to bring home my point.

I can’t help it that I have a competitive streak a mile long. I like to win. Who doesn’t?

We all clap for Ava when she gets a spare. Spencer gives her a blush inducing kiss, and Asher heads over to the lane for his turn. He picks up his ball and wags a finger at me like he knows he’s already got it in the bag.

Shaking my head and crossing my arms over my chest, I sense him before I hear him. An ominous yet comforting presence over my shoulder. It’s odd how much he affects me when I barely know him.

Zavier.

“Where’d you learn to bowl like that?” His crimson head of hair appears in my peripheral as he stands next to my chair.

“Ava and I have gone a few times to another bowling alley.” Glancing quickly at him I get my fill before watching Asher take his turn. He’s who I should be paying attention to since we’re on a date. I shouldn’t be staring at my neighbor ... my very attractive neighbor.

Right as Asher winds up, Zavier lets out an obnoxious sneeze that has us all jumping in surprise, Asher included, whose ball goes right into the gutter. He turns and glares at Zavier who suspiciously wipes non-existent snot from his nose and apologizes.

“I’m so sorry. That really came out of nowhere. The dust.” He waves a hand nonchalantly in the air. “Should I turn on the bumpers?” Like the cat that ate the canary, he smirks to himself and walks back to the front counter to help customers without waiting for a response.

“What a weirdo,” Asher mutters and sits down like a petulant child when his second attempt results in only three being knocked down.

“He just had to sneeze,” I defend, even though that was the most obvious fake sneeze ever.

“Better luck next time.” Spencer claps his back.

Time passes by quickly and we play until we have two frames left.

I’m absolutely crushing it with a perfect game so far.

Besides his initial miss due to Zavier’s shenanigans, Asher is close behind with mostly strikes and a couple spares.

Ava is third and poor Spencer falls in last place with his god-awful bowling skills.

He blames sore muscles from working out and Ava placates him but rolls her eyes with mirth behind his back.

Asher seems like a super nice guy and I’m having fun but something’s missing.

I’m sure we’d get along as friends, but the chemistry is lackluster.

Throughout the night, I continue to feel Zavier’s eyes on me and have to make a conscious effort to hold back the shiver my body wants to let out.

I don’t risk looking back since I don’t know what I’d be tempted to do.

Asher pulls me from my thoughts when he motions toward the restrooms, and I nod. He walks away and Ava slides over to my side of the chairs, taking his recently vacated one.

“How’s it going with you lovebirds?” Her shoulder knocks into mine.

“Ava. I just met the man.”

“It seems like you’re getting along though!

” she defends herself. “Whenever I’ve run into Asher at Spencer’s family functions he’s been so sweet.

Plus, if you end up getting married and I'm married to Spencer we’ll be like distant sister wives.

Kind of. Really keep it in the family,” Ava laughs as she tries to make sense of her own joke.

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’m okay . 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?”