It was a little disturbing to hear him speak so openly about his thoughts and feelings. Shay was not a typical guy. Refreshing, but scary, because deep down, I knew what he said was true. It might be possible I was experiencing these intense feelings for him because my soul recognized his. Maybe I had been waiting for him. And perhaps I loved him, too. I didn’t say anything about that, though. I couldn’t.
“I should go inside,” I said. “It’s been a very long day.”
If he was disappointed by my reaction, he didn’t show it. “Okay, I’ll walk you to the door.”
But we didn’t move.
I had absolutely no experience with any of this. I needed to talk with someone about relationships, and a female perspective would help. Sidelle immediately came to mind. She’d dated a few guys in high school, and since she and Shay were connected through the Enlightens, maybe she knew more about him, too. Then again, he was so open about himself, I could ask him and he’d answer.
This was a lot for one person to deal with. Maybe it wasn’t just because of the angel, demon, fairy, and Sam thing. It could have to do with the first boy I’d kissed.
I started to pull away, but Shay wouldn’t let go. “Just a few more minutes, then I’ll walk you to the door.”
His fingers reached toward the stereo and turned it on, skipping to I’m Glad You Came. We listened to the lyrics again, and I closed my eyes, picturing him serenading me, telling me the words, and feeling them pouring from his heart. When the song ended he whispered, “I’m glad you came,” then he exited and opened my door.
After unlatching the decorative gate that led into the front yard, we walked up the pathway, hand in hand. I climbed the first step to the porch while digging around in my purse for the house key, then looked up. Our faces were inches apart.
“Thank you for going to Cali’s party with me. Even though ... you know,” I said, then grinned. “I have to admit, it was a very interesting date.” I didn’t want to tell him it had been my first date, but then again, he probably already knew that.
“You can’t say it wasn’t memorable,” he agreed.
I gave him a warm smile. After all, it wasn’t his fault that all those things had happened. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
He cocked his head. “Would you like to?”
“Yes.”
The smile on his face grew, and we stood still a long time, gazing into each other’s eyes. I didn’t think he was going to kiss me, but he placed his hands on the sides of my face again and slowly closed the distance between us. Our lips touched, and the same intense electrical current flared. My face warmed under his palms, and my body’s heat kicked into high gear.
The kiss started out soft and warm, almost tentative. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and his hands moved, settling around my waist. He pulled me toward him and off the step so our bodies bumped. I ran my fingers through his soft hair, relishing the feel of his muscled body pressed against mine. That moment was pure heaven—or at least what I imagined heaven to be: safe and warm.
We pulled apart, and he leaned his forehead against mine. “Good night, Zoe.”
“Night, Shay.”
He walked away and I watched him get into his car, then drive off. In a daze, I moved to the front door and walked over the threshold, quietly closing it behind me. Still breathless and tingling from the kiss, I leaned back against the steel door and closed my eyes.
“Honey, is that you?” Dad called from the living room.
My eyes fluttered open, and I walked toward his voice. “Yeah, it’s me.”
“Did you have a good time at Cali’s tonight?” He sat on the couch watching a late night television show.
I smiled. “It was interesting.”
“Whose car was that?” He turned his head toward me and thumbed over his shoulder.
“Oh, you saw that?” I asked, wincing. Of course he had.
He shrugged. “You didn’t think I wouldn’t notice a 1957 Chevy Bel Air drive up? It’s such a classic. I’d love to see it in the daylight.”
Only my dad would be more interested in the car than in the boy who drove it.
“Um, he’s a friend of Kieran’s.” Enough questions, I thought. “Well, goodnight, Dad. I’m going to bed.”
I sprinted upstairs to my bedroom, then dumped my purse on the desk and dug out my cell phone to text Shay.
Me: Thanks for ending our date on a high note after such a scary night
He must have known I was going to text him since his reply was instant.
Shay: NP. My favorite part 2
Me: Where do you stay at night?
Shay: Kieran’s
Me: Always?
Shay: Recently
Me: You and K buddies now?
Shay: No
Me: You going to tell him what happened tonight? About the Ds?’
Shay: Yes, but only that part’
Me: What do you want to do tomorrow?
Shay: Anything as long as it’s with U
Me: I’m going to ask Sidelle to come over
Shay: Why?
Me: Girl talk
Shay: Oh
Me: Maybe after U can come over? Dad wants to see your car
Shay: Sure
Me: Told him you’re Kieran’s friend from school
Shay: OK. I thought you were going to bed
Me: I am
Shay: Night
Me: Night
After changing into my jammies, I climbed into bed and tried to sleep, but I couldn’t get comfortable. Images of the night’s events rushed through my mind, and I couldn’t help think how lucky we’d been. At least no one had died, thanks to Sidelle. I felt stronger now that Shay was in my life. Knowing Sidelle was on my side helped, too. But the one thing that kept coming up in my thoughts was how much I missed Kieran and his smile. I didn’t feel like I’d be able to do this without him.
I decided to ask him to come over tomorrow, too, so we could hash things out. Maybe if Sidelle was there at the same time it wouldn’t be as awkward.
It was only one in the morning, so I figured Sidelle was still up.
Me: You awake?
Ping.
Sidelle: Yep
Me: Thanks for saving my life
Sidelle: NP!
Me: Wanna hang out tomorrow?
Sidelle: Sí
Me: My house?
Sidelle: Okey dokey. Time?
Me: Noon?
Sidelle: OK. CU L8r
Knowing Sidelle was coming over made me feel better. I needed her help on both my boy and demon problems.
Now, I needed to figure out how I was going to save the world.
Chapter Thirteen
Zoe
I woke Sunday morning with a killer headache. Normally I slept until mid-morning, but not today. My body ached, like I had done an intense workout the day before. I marked it down to the adrenaline. I lay in bed and watched cartoons, needing a brain break from last night’s bad memories. Later, I dressed and headed to the kitchen for breakfast.
“You’re up early,” Mom said. “Is everything all right?”
“I’m fine,” I told her. “I just haven’t been sleeping well lately.”
“Are you and Kieran doing better?” Dad set his coffee on the table.
I shrugged, not entirely sure. “He’s still a little weird about things. I guess he’ll have to work on it.” I left it at that, because to be honest, I didn’t want to talk about my relationship problems with my parents. “Oh, Sidelle is coming over today for lunch.”
“Okay.” Mom walked across the kitchen and started putting dishes away. “How was Cali’s party?”
“It wasn’t a party. It was just a get together.” Like that sounded better.
She kept her back to me. “Whatever you want to call it, I’m glad you went.”
My eyes widened. Holy crap, my mom just said she was glad I’d gone to a house party—and without Kieran?
“You’re ... what?” I stammered.
I stared at her, and covered my giggle. I know a half angel, my best friend’s an angel, my girlfriend’s a fairy, and now my mom was ... someone else, too.
“Plans for today?” Dad wiggled his eyebrows.
I rolled my eyes, but Mom obviously hadn’t seen what passed between him and me. So that meant he hadn’t told her about Shay. Interesting. “No, nothing specific. I think I’ll go jogging before Sidelle gets here. You?”
“We’re headed to church then running some errands,” he said. He peered over the iPad and winked. “We should be back by mid-afternoon.”
I shook my head, then carried cereal and a cup of coffee back to my room. Stella stood in the hallway, in her Olaf the snowman jammies.
She scanned the hallway and whispered, “How was your date?”
I ushered her into my room and closed the door behind us, then I briefly described how Shay had picked me up and given me an orchid. I frowned, remembering that I’d left the flower in his car. She listened when I told her who was at the party, since I listed people I thought she might know. I glossed over parts, like the drinking, the demons, and oh, the fact that they all wanted to kill me. And she hung on every word.
“Do you like him?” she asked.
I couldn’t hide the grin that bloomed across my face. “Yeah. He might be coming over today. If he does, you can meet him.”
“Cool!” She bounded out of my room, leaving me to eat my breakfast in peace, though I only ate a few bites of cereal before changing into my running clothes. I hoped to run at least five miles before Sidelle arrived, since I hadn’t done any real exercising in days.
When I walked past Kieran’s house, I noticed all the lights were off, like no one was home. Maybe they were still sleeping. Did angels sleep? I stopped at the end of his neighbors’ driveway to stretch my legs and arms, still thinking about Kieran. He never stopped at the gym and didn’t play school sports, but he was in perfect shape. He had gorgeous hair, a beautiful face and smile. I was not so lucky. It wasn’t fair I had to work so diligently to keep fit.
No cars passed on the adjacent street up ahead, which was strange. Normally a few would be leaving the cul-de-sac by now, on their way to church or breakfast. I waved as my family drove by. An uneasy feeling knotted in my stomach, and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. I felt like someone was watching me. I turned, but no one was there. Still, the sensation was enough to throw me off my run. Shaking my head, I returned home. Trying to ignore my uneasiness, I ran upstairs and grabbed my cell to text Shay.
Me: Good Morning
I returned the bowl of half-eaten cereal to the kitchen. With my cell phone held tight in my hand, I waited for Shay’s response.
Ping.
Shay: It is now
Me: I left my flower in your car last night
Shay: I know
Me: Meant to bring it in. U distracted me. Will U bring it over?
Shay: Time?
Me: 3?
Shay: Can’t wait
At exactly noon, the doorbell rang. Sidelle stood at the door, smiling at me, and holding out a large cup from Coffee Grind.
“I know it’s your favorite and you can’t function without it.”
Laughing, I took the latte, inhaling the spiced cinnamon as it wafted out. “How’d you know?”
She set one hand on her hip and observed me from under her long lashes. “Zoe, we’ve had our lockers next to each other all year. Every day—except for last Friday—you’ve had this either in your hand or on your breath.”
“I had no idea I was such an open book.” I stepped back so she could come inside. “I thought since it’s such a nice day out, we could sit in the backyard.”
She shrugged. “Sure. What ev’s.”
I led her to the patio, and we settled in at the wrought iron bistro set.
“Have you known Shay a long time?” I asked.
“No, not long. Just since he was born back in what, the thirties or forties? I don’t remember the exact date, but he’s young. A baby. He’s a good guy.” She winked. “Hot, too, if I may say so. But, all angels—even the halves—are good looking. At least all the ones I’ve met have been. Not that we socialize together, but over the centuries our paths have crossed with a few.”
“How old are you?”
Her head spun toward me in the blink of an eye. “Now, Zoe, you know it’s impolite to ask a woman her age. That’s also true for fairies. Besides, did you call me over here to talk about me or about your boy problems?”
“How did you know that’s what I wanted to talk about?”
“Why else would you text me at one in the morning? Texts that late always have to do with boys.” She let out a long, dramatic sigh and shook her head. “Oh, Zoe, what am I going to do with you? It’s like you crawled out from under a rock.”
I cocked my head to the side. “All this started when I met Shay two days ago—no, three days ago.” I smiled wryly. “Saying that extra day somehow makes it sound better. Anyway, when I first saw him, I thought ...” My mind traveled back to the warehouse, and I kind of forgot where I was for a moment.
“Ahem.”
I shook my head to clear it. “Sorry. It’s just, well, he was the hottest guy on the planet. I couldn’t stop staring. And then I found out Kieran’s liked me for years, but never said anything to me.” My body slumped deeper into the chair. “What am I gonna do?” I whined. “I mean, I’ve known Kieran my whole life. Suddenly, I find out he likes me as more than just friends, but I don’t feel that way.”
“And Shay?”
I sighed, remembering. “I was instantly drawn to him. It was amazing. I trust him, and I don’t even know him! How is that possible? When he looks at me I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And when we kiss, I feel like there’s no one else but him and me.”
Sidelle practically jumped out of her chair. “He kissed you? So? How was it? Come on, tell me. This is what girlfriends talk about. If you can’t tell your girlfriends, it’s like it never happened. So spill!”
“The first kiss was—”
“Wait!” She leaned forward and flashed her hand up, stopping me. “There’s been more than one kiss?”
My cheeks burned. “Yes.”
“Oh. My. Gosh!” she gushed, beaming at me. “Okay. I want to hear all the graphic details! Do not leave anything out!”
“Well, the first kiss was soft—”
“Stop right there!” She shook her head. “You have to set it up for me. What led to it and where you were. Geez, Zoe. Okay. New tactic. Don’t talk to me like I’m your mother. Talk to me like I’m a girlfriend. Haven’t you ever done this before?”
I stared at her, feeling confused.
“Man, you need to get away from Kieran once in a while and hang with girls more often.” She shrugged. “But I guess that’s sort of why I’m here now, isn’t it?”
I nodded, feeling more confident. So I told her about Thursday afternoon, how Kieran and I had been walking home from school and were followed by two demon Knights. “That’s when Shay saved me. We headed back to Kieran’s after, and the two of them told me enough to paint me a pretty picture.”
Sidelle nodded, leaning in.
“So later that night,” I continued, “Shay came to my bedroom window and asked if I wanted to go flying with him. Afterward, we talked for a while, then he almost kissed me. At Cali’s party, we were bumped by some guys and he kissed me in the hallway.” I touched my lips, not wanting to share every graphic detail. “It was soft and perfect.”
“Aw. That’s so sweet.”
I narrowed my eyes, wondering if she was mocking me, but she didn’t change her expression at all.
She kind of twisted her mouth to the side, looking as if she didn�
�t want to tell me something but had to. “Did you know he wasn’t supposed to take you flying? He broke a rule for you.”
“I had no idea.”
“Okay,” she said. “Moving on. Good job describing that one, by the way, but for the next one I want even more juicy details. I want to know how you felt during and after.” She pointed at me. “Now, go.”
Wow, bossy. I hesitated, thinking about how much of the second kiss I actually wanted to share with her, but in the end I told her everything.
Sidelle’s eyes sparkled. “Wow. Just wow. Very nice. I could almost picture it. Oh, and you do know that when I say I could almost picture it, I can, right? If someone provides enough detail, I can pick the actual event out of their mind. It’s like watching a movie playing. Some other time I’ll have to tell you what else we fairies can do.” She sat taller and stretched her back. “So what do you think is the problem?”
“Wait! What else can you do? Do you have other powers?”
She waved me off. “Later. I want to hear about the boys.”
“Fine,” I said, “but we are going to get back to discussing you.”
She shrugged, as if she couldn’t imagine what was so interesting about fairies. “Whatever.”
“I guess I want to know how I should handle Kieran. I love him like a brother, but I’m sure he doesn’t want to hear that. No guy ever wants to hear those words from the girl they like.” I took a sip of my drink. “I want us to go back to the way we were, when we could joke around and talk about whatever. Now it’s all so weird. I can’t tell him how I feel about Shay. That wouldn’t be fair now that I know he has feelings for me.”
“And what about Shay?” she prompted. “What do you feel for him?”
I kept asking myself the same question. “That’s complicated. I mean, I only met him three days ago.”
“Who gives a rat’s butt? Don’t you believe in love at first sight?”
How I wanted to believe. “Could it be that simple?”
Enlighten Series- The Complete 3 Book Collection Page 10
