Page 10 of The Nixie and the Frost Elf

Chapter 5

Lexi

I can't decide whether I'm more nervous or excited as I make my way to the entrance of the bowling alley, though one thing I am is a little surprised that Edur decided on this for the location of our date.

He's standing by the entrance, his dark blue hair slicked back, and a smart shirt on. My heart skips a beat, even if I would rather it didn't. He's handsome, there's no denying that, and I used to enjoy spending time with him. Does that mean that I want to accept a mate bond with him?

Despite having had the reaction to him years ago, I haven't thought about it much in regard to Edur, just in general. And I've always assumed that my asexuality would mean that it wouldn't ever be possible to build a mate bond with anyone. I haven't had good responses to my feelings about sex before, and that makes it feel as if a relationship is going to be possible.

But if I really think that, then why am I here?

I'm stopped from going further down that path by Edur turning and seeing me. He raises a hand and waves at me, making my heart go giddy in response.

"Hey," he says as I get to him.

"Hi."

"Ready to go in?"

"Yes. But bowling, really?" I'm smiling even as I ask.

"Yeah. I was thinking about what would make the perfect date, and I remembered my twelfth birthday. You know the one?"

A smile spreads over my face as I realise that I do. "You'd invited the whole class."

"But you were the only one who showed up. I hadn't realised that one of the popular kids was having a party on the same day."

"How popular was anyone at twelve?" I respond.

He laughs and pushes on the door, holding it open for me. "Fair point. Well, that was the day that I knew you were going to be my best friend."

"I'm half surprised you didn't just say that was when you knew I'd be your mate."

"I definitely didn't know then. But I did have a great time losing to you at bowling and eating so many chips and crappy pizza slices that we nearly made ourselves sick."

I laugh without being able to stop myself. "So that's what you thought we could do for our first date?"

"The pizza will be slightly better," he promises.

"It sounds wonderful." And it does. I love the thought he's put into it, and that he's clearly worked to make sure that the date is us.

We approach the reception desk to book in and walk away with two pairs of bowling shoes and a lane number. I'm a little nervous about how well I'm going to do when it's been years since I've been bowling, but I soon realise that it doesn't matter. I'm not here to win, I'm here to spend time with Edur. It doesn't matter about the rest.

"So, have you realised that anchovies don't belong on a pizza yet, or has the dairy-free cheese got you completely baffled on that one?" he teases as he looks at the menu.

"Anchovies absolutely belong on pizza. It's your choice of a meat feast that's horrifying. I'm glad I'm not able to eat any of your pizza, because it's truly a nightmare."

He chuckles. "All right, one of each it is. And a basket of chips. Oh, and maybe some onion rings..."

"Do you intend for me to be able to move by the end of the date?" I joke.

"If you can't move, then you'll just have to spend more time with me," he responds, his tone making it clear he's being playful.

I roll my eyes and let him deal with the food while I set up the scoreboard for us.

"All right, that's food ordered. Now we've just got to see which of us is worse at bowling."

"Have you been practising?" I ask.