17
We'd planned our date two days from that phone call which was tonight. Per his instructions, but mostly because I wanted to, I was wearing something pretty - a flowy polka dotted dress that flared with movement at the bottom when I shifted or walked. I paired it with a pair of comfortable wedges and some silver jewelry I'd found on a rack at the plant nursery I'd stopped into on a whim. The jewelry maker was local and supposedly the pieces were infused with positive attributes. For tonight I'd chosen silver moonstone earrings for patience and a teardrop necklace that was supposed to soothe the nerves. I had to laugh at myself when I put them on. Every single time I'd been out with Lucas he'd managed to drive me into a singular focused rage. I was hoping that would be different tonight. I genuinely cared about him. I thought about him at all hours of the day, I wondered what it would be like for him to pull me close, but most of all I wondered about getting to know him.Reallyknow him.
What he'd done and was continuing to do for Marissa was above and beyond what I'd ever expected from him. He was putting himself in harm's way for her even when he didn't have to. And all because of a promise made to his best friend. You could tell, though, he genuinely cared for his friend's wife. I wondered what it would be like to fall into that category with him. I knew he liked me, but we hadn't exactly had the best track record.
I put down my journal. I'd been writing in it every day and I noticed my clumsiness was almost all of the way gone. The Comey sisters were right. Sometimes life came down to mind over matter. I had noticed one particular thing during this journey. Any time I was upset or nervous it got worse. Considering most of those times happened when Lucas was around or otherwise being an irritating tool, I was able to refocus my thoughts on something else. When I'd sat down to really think about the other times, all of them had in some way been related to a relationship.
And it had all started on prom night.
I took a deep breath, smoothed my skirt down, and peeked at myself one more time in the mirror. I looked good. I felt good. I had high hopes.
Maybe the third time would be the charm. This would be the "official" third date, but I'd seen him a lot over the last several weeks. We'd just been careful to keep it strictly in the friend zone. Mostly because when he got that arrogant look on his face I had to stifle the urge to smack him.
The doorbell rang. I slipped on my shoes, grabbed my purse, and headed out, not giving myself time to invite him in.
"Hey," he said, his eyes widening in response to my antics.
I shut and locked the door and abruptly stopped as I took in his appearance. No beard, thank all that was holy. His blond hair was swept back from his face, accentuating his eyes and angular cheekbones. He wore a suit with no tie, the white shirt unbuttoned at the top showing a hint of golden skin. He was fresh shaven and his eyes glittered with an emotion I couldn't place.
"You look nice," I said. It was the only thing I could come up with. He looked way better than nice. If scrumdiddlyumptious was a word, that was what he would look like. Which meant delicious but not mediocre delicious like ice cream, more like super delicious like creme brulee or something.
Yum.
"You look way better than nice," he retorted and held out his elbow for me to take. I clasped my fingers around his arm and allowed him to lead me down the stairs.
"Thank you."
"And I noticed you have your hair up."
"Mmm," I responded. "I hope you're hungry."
Lucas faltered and misstepped. "Clever girl," he murmured. He held the door open for me and helped me into his truck. I grinned at his retreating back. I'd put my hair up and added perfume right at that vein in my neck.
He slid in, started the vehicle, and pulled out of the driveway and away from town.
"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere I've never taken anyone."
"I can't decide if I'm intrigued or terrified."
"If this were a book, the correct response would be terrified. After all, vamps are scary."
"I think if people were smart, they'd be way more scared of clairvoyants."
Lucas nodded in agreement. "Does it ever scare you?"
I nodded. "All the time. It isn't easy. I can feel the emotions surrounding the event sometimes. And there have been occasions when I'd witnessed someone's death."
His eyebrows rose. "Do you tell them?"
"That they're going to die?"
He nodded.
I shook my head. "Not usually. Only if it's a crime. Even then, people usually don't believe me. I'll read about it later in the paper."
"Damn. That has to be tough."
