The thought scared me. When I, or another demi-angel, had visions telling us to do something, it was almost impossible to fight the urge to carry it out. But they were always about ways to help people. They were meant to show us how to protect humans—to right a wrong. Not to hurt someone.
“Someone you’ll never see coming,” Jake had warned. “Someone you trust with your life.”
21
Fire
Friday night and a double date—what could be better? Maybe going with Chay instead of Xavier. Although, I was probably safer with Xavier, considering Chay wanted to kill me. Yeah, Xavier was the best bet, even if it wasn’t a real date. Just two friends going to a movie and dinner with each other.
The school day dragged on forever. I never thought it would end. My head hurt, and my face throbbed. I just wanted to go home, stand under a hot shower until the water ran cold, and then go to bed. But that wasn’t how things were gonna play out. Nope. Date Night. Or rather, non-date, date night.
Xavier picked me up at six o’clock. “Hi.” He smiled when I opened the door. His dimple winked deep in his cheek.
“Hi. Thanks for picking me up.”
“Why wouldn’t I? I wasn’t going to let you drive to the restaurant alone.”
Oh, yeah. We aren’t supposed to be alone. At least, I’m not. With Abaddon and Chay running around, both trying to kill me.
I smiled. There really wasn’t anything to say.
“So. Our second non-date, date.”
I laughed. “I guess so.”
“Maybe we could rename it. To, oh, I don’t know, maybe our-first-real-date date. Something like that.”
“Let’s see how our second non-date goes first,” I said, smiling to take the sting out of my words. I just wasn’t ready to date anyone. I was too confused by Chay and his hot-and-cold behavior. But still, Xavier was here… he wanted to spend time with me and, bonus, he wasn’t trying to kill me.
“You look good tonight,” Xavier told me walking into the restaurant. “Your face isn’t as awful looking.”
I laughed so hard I snorted. “Gee, thanks for that compliment.”
“You know what I mean,” he said with a chuckle.
I was still laughing, but nodded my head. “I know what you mean.”
“I like that.”
“What?” I was still preoccupied by his sort-of compliment
“The sound of your laugh,” he said quietly.
I smiled then. “Thank you.” I could feel a blush heat my cheeks.
When I slid into the booth, Xavier followed, sitting next to me rather than across like I wanted. I’d rather look at him than touch him. Although, both were equally disturbing. Just looking at him made my stomach do funny things. Things it shouldn’t be doing if I loved Chay. And touching him… well, that was almost torture. When his thigh pressed against mine, flames licked my skin, followed by the prickling of goose flesh. Being close to Xavier wasn’t a good thing. Not when it was Chay I was supposed to be with.
I’m in all kinds of trouble. Bring on the Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey ice cream and a big spoon. There’s no way I’m getting out of this unscarred, and that means one wicked ice-cream binge is in my future.
We beat Muriel and Drew to the restaurant. With each second that ticked by, I became more furious at Muriel for leaving me alone with Xavier. I needed her and Drew as a buffer.
Xavier and I sat in a corner booth and talked while we waited. Like the first time we went out, he was funny and easy to talk to. The apprehension I felt about being alone with him slipped away—so did thoughts of Chay—and I found myself wishing we were on a date. A real date. Without Muriel and Drew.
“What can I get you to drink?” our waitress asked, looking at Xavier.
“Coke, thanks,” he said.
She continued looking at him, waiting for my order. “I’ll have a Coke, too,” I told her, leaning forward and blocking her view of Xavier. She gave me a tight smile, practically flung the menus in my direction, and told Xavier if he needed anything to ask for Amy.
“That’s funny,” I said and bit my lower lip to hid a grin.
“What?”
I shrugged. “Amy.”
“What about her?”
“Oh, please. You can’t tell me you didn’t know she was flirting with you. She never stopped staring.”
Not that I blame her.
“No, I didn’t notice. I wasn’t looking at her.”
“Well, she was looking at you,” I muttered.
“Milayna, are you jealous?” he asked, laughing.
Am I jealous? No… yes. I am jealous. And she’s pretty, too. Figures.
I looked at Xavier out of the corner of my eye, pretending to study the menu. “No. Why? Should I be?”
He shrugged a shoulder. “You have nothing to be jealous of. In case you were wondering.”
My cheeks heated in a small blush. I had been wondering. “Good to know.”
Amy walked to the table, carrying our drinks. She bent toward Xavier just enough to give us both a good view of her cleavage before she set the two Cokes in front of him. Maybe she thought he was really thirsty.
“Are you ready to order?” She looked doe-eyed at Xavier.
“We’re waiting on two people.” Her gaze never left Xavier’s face
“Okay, just let me know when you’re ready,” she told him. I had to laugh.