Page 18

ZAVIER

M y coffee table is a mess of scattered magazines, pictures, and pamphlets. I’m scrolling through my phone on the couch and have my laptop set up as well, all in an effort to come up with the best date idea possible. Our date is in two days, and I can’t fuck it up. It has to be perfect.

I could kiss Ava for convincing Celine to go out with me. Much like myself, Celine can’t ignore the magnetism between us. One day it’s going to turn into an inferno neither one of us can deny.

My notepad of ideas sits next to me based on my research so far and I glance over it.

Zavier’s Date Ideas for Whooing His Mate:

Bowling - Asher’s bitch ass ruined this one

Karaoke - Show off my golden pipes

Navy Pier, Ferris Wheel - Basic and done before

Skip everything and go straight to fucking her senseless - My favorite

Number four is by far my pick but nothing realistically is jumping out at me. It has to be special. I chew on my pencil in thought and tap it on my fang. Suddenly a brilliant idea strikes me.

Snagging my coat, and throwing it on, I grab my car keys and head out the door but not before I pause at Celine’s door and inhale her scent.

Ever since I moved in, I’ve spent as much time as I can listening and watching her go about her daily routine.

She sings in the shower, talks to Midnight even though he doesn’t seem to be the biggest fan of her, and loves to read with oddly specific ambience music playing in the background.

Who knew cozy and calming rainy bookstore in Chicago lo-fi music was a thing?

After a short drive, I park my car in front of my first stop.

The rain is coming down hard and I open my umbrella, prepared this time.

Overcast weather has still been common lately and I can’t ruin my perfectly waved hair.

Tossing it out of my eyes I look down at a large puddle that shimmers in front of me.

Red, orange, and blue city lights reflect in it capturing the bustle of the city.

My chest tightens when my eyes play a trick, and I see a blurry Celine standing next to me.

Quickly turning I see a brunette passing by in a rush.

Not Celine. I knew it wasn’t her by the smell but still my shoulders droop and I trudge sullenly into the restaurant.

Scanning the room, I spy my unsuspecting victim where he always sits in the back corner of the bar.

I make my way over, steps silent. His eyes are closed, and a plan concocts itself in my head.

Creeping over stealthily, I avoid running into customers and tables before I lean down behind the man and yell in his ear.

“Boo!”

Nothing.

“Hey!”

Nothing.

“Are you kidding me, Old Man?”

The fun officially sucked out of my plan, I plop down on the chair unceremoniously in front of him. He decides to open his eyes right then, and I swear his hearing and vision are perfect, he just likes fucking with me.

“Oh, Zac, it’s you. When did you get here?”

Wrinkled and time worn hands rub the sleep out of his soulful blue eyes. From young man to now he’s always been a kind human but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t drive me batty.

Ha. Vampire jokes.

“You’re the worst,” I mumble, but fold my arms in front of me and get right to business. “I need date ideas.”

“Date ideas? What do you take me for? I haven’t gone on a date in fifty years.” Mirth dances across his face. “You haven’t either, you crusty old fart. Who’s the lucky lady?”

“The one I’ve been telling you about, Celine, and please, if anyone’s crusty it’s you.” My chair tips back as I lounge.

“You finally ballsed up and asked her out, huh?” A raspy chuckle comes from him ending in a deep cough. Time, the ever-silent killer, has caught up to Tom and I cringe internally at every cough and sputter that comes out of his body, not ready for our friendship to end.

“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 getting off 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.