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 period," I say, channeling my inner dramatic teenager,

embarrassing, but I have a

throat. "Oh, I see. That would

of privacy, holding strong

triumph show on my face as he looks to the ceiling,

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

flooding through me. "Thanks." I feel guilty using a man's money when I have no

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

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

shoulder to make sure he's really leaving me alone, I head toward the personal products section to make it all

not like I really need them right now, but the act sells the story. I toss in a couple of shirts from the clearance rack, too—might as well make

clear, so I beeline for the phone accessories. Burner phones are easy enough to find, and I grab one

purchase, the cashier giving me a friendly smile that I return with a tight-lipped one

to the bathroom, clutching the bag close to my body. The restroom is blessedly empty,

approval in

and stuffing the plastic and cardboard into the trash makes me feel a little like a shoplifter, even though I already bought

you ready?

myself. "As ready as I'll ever

said he would be, and I offer him