Page 20 of Loving A Vampire Is Total Chaos

“I know what’ll win your heart.” Foil crinkles as I locate a treat bag tucked into the back corner of the kitchen counter and shake it. An almost feral meow sounds followed by scampering paws on the hardwood floor.

“That’s what I thought.” Tiny claws prick my jeans as Midnight attempts to climb my leg in desperate need of the treats. Still not sure how I feel about the name. I wonder if Celine will let me rename him.

“Simple creatures, aren’t we?” I toss a few of the tiny fish shaped treats on the ground and he runs after them. “Blindsided by temptation.” Celine pops in my head and I lean against the counter. “I know the feeling.”

Celine doesn’t have much on her fridge, just a couple magnets with info for local food places. A generic calendar she probably got free somewhere hangs on the side held up by a magnet that’s also a photo. I trace her face in it and see the heartbreak that coincides with her fake smile. An older man sits next to her with a lost look in his eyes, the resemblance between the two uncanny.

A circled date on the calendar catches my attention and I lean closer to see on tomorrow’s date she’s writtenDouble date at Strike Lanes.

Double date? Oh fuck no.

“Midnight, how could you let this happen!” If my hair could catch fire like the color it resembles, it surely would with the rage I feel in this moment. The cat, of course, ignores me curled up on the couch, not sharing the same disgust I do. He gives me a long look and then proceeds to lick his paws.

My girl on a date with another man? Unthinkable.

I need to take this situation into my own hands. My timetable for showing Celine how perfect we are together just moved up.

CHAPTER 10

CELINE

Collapsing onto the couch with a loud sigh, I rub my aching eyes. Midnight, who had been hiding behind a pillow, lets out a disgruntled harumph and disappears into my bedroom.

“Thanks for the warm welcome,” I mutter, exasperated by the grumpy cat.

My original plan to head to the gym for a boxing session is dashed with the absolute exhaustion I feel.

A thick stack of manila folders sits next to me, and I rifle through them. Report after report of past Mayhem cases complete the stack. They’re filled with gory photos and testimonies, not that anyone has actually seen the killer yet. I’ve spent countless hours going through them trying to glean any insight that might help us catch them but nothing has stood out.

The temptation to further stakeout Vex has been nagging at me. I have to let this club thing go, though. It’s not the case I’m supposed to be working on. It’s not even a case at all. Just a stupid hunch I can’t seem to let go of because the feeling in my stomach won’t allow me to.

I need to refocus and put my nose to the grindstone when it comes to the Mayhem cases.

First, though, I need to relax a little.

“I think it’s time for a bath, a snack, and my book,” I say to nobody in particular, because God knows my cat is ignoring me, and my voice echoes in the empty space.

The decor in my apartment is a slow and everchanging process. I wanted the area to be cozy and ambient with warm lighting but not sparse, with curated knickknacks that are cute but have a purpose. I hate when houses feel clinical and unlived in. I try to keep it as clean as possible especially with the constant cat hair piling up, but my job doesn’t always allow for it.

With a groan, I heave my tired body up from the couch and snag a bag of gummy bears off the counter before heading for my room. I let my hair out of its usual ponytail as I do and sigh at the pressure relief. I massage the back of my neck before realizing something is off.

I pause in my tracks.

Where’s the pile of clean laundry I left on the chair earlier?

I remember thinking to myself I should fold them before I left this morning, otherwise the job would be waiting for me now, but said clothes are folded perfectly and sit on the end of the bed just waiting to be put away.

My brow wrinkles as I wrack my brain for when I could’ve folded them.

Maybe after I had breakfast this morning?

No, it can’t be that, because I got distracted when Ava called me.

“I must be losing my mind.” Midnight gives an unhelpful sigh; life is hard for a full-time freeloader like him. “I must have done it and just don’t remember. Right?” I ask the slow blinking cat.

It’s the only logical explanation. No one breaks into an apartment to fold clothes.

Swiping my current read from the side table, I head into the bathroom.

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