Okay, chapter 13 up! Don't worry, I've finished the net chapter - I've already started typing it! :D It'll be up soon.
Disclaimer: (Wow, I didn't forget! Score one for me!) I don't own anything relating to Night World. Except for my own made up characters and plot. Yeah.
So...enjoy! :D
As Mary-Lynnette rushed around the house doing chores, barely able to contain her excitement of going to work and serving more than one customer (Ash), her feline vampire was having second thoughts about letting her go.
Ash mulled it over. Should I let her go? But I already agreed! If I told her I changed my mind, she'll think I'm the type of person who breaks promises!
Ash shook his head. No, no. Her safety comes first. If she hates me for it, then let her hate me! As long as she's safe…
Sighing, Ash dragged himself to the sunny kitchen and collapsed into a chair. Even at the cost of her safety, he couldn't bear it if Mary-Lynnette hated him.
But he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something just a bit off about the café. He couldn't put his finger on it. And what were the chances that the one place Mary-Lynnette chose, the one place that creep Adam didn't advertise was the one he happened to be in charge of? It just didn't connect. If Adam was in charge of Café Eternal, which was so obviously short on employees, and he knew that Mary-Lynnette needed a job, why didn't Adam just advertise his own place right away?
There was a missing piece. There had to be.
But for now, he'd let Mary-Lynnette go to work. After all, he didn't want to look like an overprotective wimp based solely on suspicion. He did still have his dignity to protect.
. . .
It was almost seven. Ash hugged Mary-Lynnette close to his side – it got pretty windy at night. Mary-Lynnette snuggled into his warmth and exhaled deeply, lost in the bliss of being with Ash as they walked to the café.
On the outside, it seemed like Ash was carefree and relaxed, but he'd always been a good actor. Inside, turmoil reigned. There was an uncomfortably ominous feeling in his gut that told him letting her go was a bad idea, but he squelched it.
He wouldn't do that again.
As they neared the café, Mary-Lynnette started to pull away, but Ash held tightly to her hand and pulled her into his embrace. He took a deep breath, inhaling her unique scent, before letting her go and giving her a lingering kiss. Then he smiled and said, "I love you."
He turned to go.
"Hey."
Ash turned back, glancing questioningly at the deep frown on Mary-Lynnette's pretty face. "What?"
She was silent for a moment. "Ash…Why did it sound like you were saying good bye?"
"Huh? Well, I'm leaving, right? Don't worry, I'll come pick you up at…when do you get off?"
"Eleven."
"Eleven, then."
"No, I…never mind." Mary-Lynnette shook her head. "I must have imagined it."
Ash grinned. "That overactive imagination of yours." He waved. "Love you. See you at eleven, sharp."
He turned and walked away, hands tucked into his coat pockets. He didn't hear Mary-Lynnette say "Love you too" and he didn't turn to check if she even did say it.
He would regret that.
Actually, he was going to regret everything about that night.
So, it looks like we're nearing the end of this story. Tear. TT_TT But wow, I'm finally finishing a story! Ive never done that before! (Well, duh, this is your first story, idiot, says my subconscious. Yeah, well, shut up, subconscious.)
Write on. Read on. That's my motto. :D
© Copyright 2011 by The Siege :D