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Chapter Twenty-Four

Claire's POV:

The next day, despite my protests, Eve and Michael take Ever and Nathan. Apparently Shane told them that he wanted us to have a free day together. This should be fun. Eve left me a dress to wear but I'm a little nervous about this.

I sigh and slip on the black, halter-top dress. It's actually really cute. I straighten my hair, opting to leave it down. Hands wrap around my waist, pulling me against a rock hard chest.

"You look beautiful," Shane whispers in my ear. I smile as he presses a kiss to my lips. Shane pulls me down stairs and sits me down at the kitchen table. He sits a bowl in front of me. What was in said bowl? Chili... no surprise there.

"Nothing better than chili," Shane says with a grin. I laugh and dig in.

"So... what do we have planned for today?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him. Shane stops stuffing his face for a second and gives me a knowing grin.

"That, my dear, would be a surprise," he says, copying my expression. I roll my eyes and finish eating. Shane takes our bowls and puts them in the sink.

Shane grabs my hand and pulls me up. He spins me into him and kisses me, hard and deep. My hands tangle in his hair and his arms clutch me to him.

"I love you," he whispers, kissing my neck. I smile at him.

"I love you too," I whisper back. He intertwines his fingers with mine and leads me out the front door. He leads me to Common Grounds. I give him a confused look. He just smiles and pulls me inside.

The inside of Common Grounds looks completely different. The tables are all cleared out except one and it's draped with a blood-red table cloth. A vase of red roses sits on the table and everything looks fancy. The best part? Somehow, Shane talked Michael into being out waitor.

"You so owe me," Michael mutters. Shane pulls my chair out and sits me down. Michael grabs his guitar and climbs on stage. Eve, Everose, and Nathaniel join us. Michael's performance is as amazing as usual. Though Morganville still as it's horrors, it's nice to know that some things never change. Well, okay not never (Michael becoming a vampire was a change), but close enough.