“I’m okay," I say, partly to Asher, but also in an attempt to convince myself. I can feel my feet hitting the ground and time speeds up in a rush, coming back to me all at once and bringing me to a sudden halt.
“That was weird. So weird. I felt, I don’t know, fuzzy all over inside my head. I think it was shock or something.”
Asher’s hand hasn’t left my body, whether supporting my arm or back or holding my hand, he’s not left my side for a single moment. We step up to my door and he looks down at me, then speaks softly.
“I know your roommate doesn’t like me, but can I come in and make sure you’re okay? I won’t stay if you don’t want me to.”
I’m already shaking my head. That’s a terrible idea, and not only because Zuri would probably accuse him of drugging me or something, but because Reverie will be there too. I haveto warn him first, make sure he’ll keep our secret before I trust him with such precious information.
“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Zuri should be home, she’ll make sure I’m okay," I say, cringing at the hurt that flashes through his eyes.
His lips thin, but he doesn’t push the issue.
“Text me when you’re in bed?” he asks.
I raise my eyebrows and his ears turn pink. It’s adorable, I love it when I manage to needle him a bit.
“That’s, no.” Asher rakes a hand through his hair and I giggle. “That’s not what I meant. Just so I can make sure you’re okay. That’s all.”
“I know.” I grin up at him so he knows I’m not mad, then sigh as he gathers me into a hug against his chest.
“You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m sure. Thank you for taking care of me. I’m glad you were there for all of that tonight," I say, and his body softens at the vulnerability in my voice.
“I’ll always be here for you, sunshine. Always," he says.
Unlocking the door, I turn back to him one last time as I step inside.
“See you tomorrow.”
26
NEEDY, NOSY VAMPIRE
ASHER
I havemy head bowed with both hands resting on the smooth doorframe as I stand outside Raya’s apartment door, trying my best not to press my ear to it as I listen to her walk inside and hang her keys while her shoes hit the floor. Raya said she was fine, but something was definitely off on the way up to her apartment, and I’m worried something bad will happen as soon as I leave.
Which is ridiculous. What could possibly happen inside her own apartment? I’m being irrational, but I feel compelled to protect her.
Shaking my head at myself, I drop my hands and step away from the door right as I hear voices inside. Raya’s is easy to identify, but the other is high pitched, almost like a child’s voice. My body stills and I angle my head toward the door.
Does she have a kid?
No way. She would have told me, and she’d have called or video chatted with them during the trip, which I definitely would have noticed. Right?
“Rev, please. You are so nosy! I’ll tell you everything tomorrow, okay? I need some peace for now.”
Raya’s voice goes in and out as she walks around inside, close enough to the entrance for me to make out most of what she’s saying if I strain to listen. Her tone of voice and the way she’s talking certainly don’t sound like how most people talk to children.
“If you don’t cut that out, I’m locking you out of my room tonight and you’ll have to sleep with the living room plants instead.” Raya’s voice is muffled through the door, decreasing in volume as she walks deeper into the apartment and I hear an answering, high pitched shriek in response.
My eyebrows furrow as my lips turn down.Sleep with the plants?
Shaking my head again, this time in an attempt to clear it, I walk away, assuming I must have misheard because that conversation made absolutely no sense, no matter how I look at it.
Raya isbusy most of the weekend with family, chores, “girls day” and other adult things that I should probably be doing too, but I don’t because all I can think about is her. It’s a bit much, if I’m being honest with myself. I’ve never fallen this hard or fast before, let alone felt so obsessed, and it’s bewildering.
