He doubted it. Knowing her, at some point she’d come back around to get another opportunity to make him feel bad. That was just who she was.
Which was exactly why he wasn’t going to make decisions considering her anymore. He and Cassie had had a long, long talk about it–her gently coaching him and Luis dragging his feet through the muck of guilt.
But he agreed with her. He’d lost too much time, too much of his life, and for what?
She was never going to be happy with him.
He had to make choices for himself now. For what he wanted.
Luis:Yeah, okay. That sounds fun. What time? And should I bring anything?
Julien:Come at the usual time on Friday, and stay over. And just bring whatever you need for staying over, a change of clothes.
His heart was still pounding ten minutes later when he opened a text to Cassie and relayed what had happened. His phone chimed immediately with a string of exclamation marks and emojis.
Cassie:“Oh Cassie, I’m not going to fuck the vampires”
Cassie:“They don’t like me like that”
Cassie:Dorian owes me $50
Luis:what do you mean Dorian owes you $50???
Cassie:so let’s reschedule our call to Sunday night then since you’ll be BUSY. And you better have all the juicy details for me, I think I can go for double or nothing.
Luis:why have you been betting on my love life!
Cassie:science is slow and boring, gotta find something to entertain us.
Cassie:love you! make me proud (and rich)
Luis:I hate you
Cassie sent back a bunch of kiss emojis and Luis rolled his eyes.
It was just a hang out, nothing else was going on.
He wasn’t sure he believed himself though.
Chapter Sixteen
On Friday, Luis packed a weekend bag, shutting down any thoughts on what the weekend plans might entail, and got in his car.
Nerves followed him the entire drive to their house.
Luis knocked on the front door of Julien and Karim’s house half an hour later, and Karim answered.
“You have a key–” Karim’s expression darkened as he caught sight of Luis’s face. “What happened?”
Luis had gone back and forth about whether or not to put a bandage over it. His cheek was bruised too though, and a bandage couldn’t hide all of that.
“Cat,” Luis said.
Karim frowned but stepped back to motion Luis in. “Right, the cat you definitely have,” Karim said dryly. “You can leave your duffle here for now, the room’s not ready. Julien got fussy with what sheets should go on the bed.” Karim indicated the space beside the entryway console table. Luis dropped his bag.
“Dinner’s ready though,” Karim said and led him next to the dining room.
“Hello,” Julien greeted them when they walked in. He noticed the cheek immediately. “Luis, what happened?” He asked with a frown.
