Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 52 Ava: Its Personal

Why not tell him you need to buy some sensitive things you don't want him around for? Selene asks.

It isn't that I hadn't thought of that—but the electronics section is far from someplace that sells menstrual products.

"What's wrong?" Rowan asks, and I realize with a start that I'm scowling in his direction.

Oops. "Nothing, I just—" I nibble on my thumbnail, trying my best to look a little distraught. "I need some things, but I didn't think you'd be following me the entire time, so…"

Rowan smiles in relief, thinking he understands. "It's fine. You can get anything you want. Clayton can afford it. He's obnoxiously loaded."

I was worried my acting was too much, but I guess it's not enough. I wrinkle my nose and shift from foot to foot. After a moment, I start rubbing one arm, as if I'm beyond uncomfortable with my request.

I was never a very whiny teenager, but I'm trying to channel one anyway.

"Oh, no, it's not that it's expensive, but—you know. Personal."

"Personal… Oh. Oh." Rowan's furrowed brow clears as he looks me over. "It's fine. I have younger sisters."

I stare at Rowan in exasperation, giving up my shy act as I settle my hands on my hips.

This guy really has no clue.

I don't have any brothers who follow me around when I'm buying stuff for my

embarrassing, but I have

his throat. "Oh, I see. That would be…" His words trail off, and he looks

eyebrow, challenging him to just let me have this bit of privacy, holding strong to that young adolescent defiance as Selene hums her approval in my head. He holds my gaze for a

from letting triumph show on my face as he looks

pulls out a sleek black wallet and thumbs through it. He peels off a few bills and hands them to me. "Here, get what you need. I'll wait by the entrance. Let me know if

I feel guilty using a man's money when I have no

to leave. "Just don't go far. And be quick

of his mutterings. Something about the store being well-guarded, so it should be okay. I shake my head, tucking the money

he's really leaving me alone, I head toward the personal

a few tampons and pads, trying not to linger too long on any one brand or box. It's not like I really need them right now, but the act sells

my basket in hand, I make my way back toward the electronics section, keeping an eye out for Rowan. The coast is clear, so I beeline for the phone accessories. Burner phones are easy enough to find, and I grab one along

is pounding as I make my purchase, the cashier giving me a friendly smile that I return with a tight-lipped one of my own. I have to resist the urge to look over my shoulder, worried that Rowan

is complete, I hurry off to the bathroom, clutching the bag close to my body. The restroom is blessedly empty, and I duck into the largest stall, locking

her approval in

open the packaging for the burner phone and stuffing the plastic and cardboard into the trash makes me feel a little like a shoplifter, even though I already bought the things. I slip the phone itself into my pocket, along with the

you ready? Selene

myself. "As ready as I'll ever

offer him a