Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 101 Ava: Calling Clayton

A plate of mixed greens, topped with an obscene amount of sliced chicken and shredded cheese, is slid in front of me as I wait for Clayton to answer the phone.

There's a lot of sound in the background, and I can hear Vester shouting that I'm on the line.

Stabbing a bite of salad, I crunch at it, the sound grating against my eardrums as I wait.

"Ava?" Clayton's voice, usually so strong and assured, wavers with a vulnerability that catches me off guard. The sound tugs at my heart, a pang of guilt piercing through the layers of confusion that has settled between us.

I should have asked Lucas to let me talk to him a long time ago. He's probably been worried. He's too responsible and caring to have just let things go without wondering how I'm doing.

I'm a terrible person.

I never really thought about him in this time.

"Hey," I manage, my throat tightening around the word. "How... how have you been?"

Lisa's eyebrows shoot up at the sound of my words, her gaze fixed on me with an intensity that suggests she's hanging on every word. I ignore her, focusing instead on the static-laden silence stretching across the connection.

"How are you feeling?" Clayton asks, dodging my question with one of his own. "Are you healing alright?"

There's a lump in my throat at the sound of his concern. Damn. I swallow hard. "I'm fine," I assure him, though the words feel hollow even to my own ears. "I actually called because... well, I was worried about Ivy.

I wanted to know how she's doing. And I wanted to talk to you."

He's silent for a long time. "Ivy's doing well. She's healing, but slowly. She doesn't heal much faster than humans."

I know that pain.

with any haste. I'm not sure

talk to

as Lisa watches, her eyes sparkling. She loves a good romantic drama, and my current

everything happened. I figured you would

how you're doing. If you're okay, if you're healthy, if

I sound lame. "My best friend is here, so I'm not alone. I'm sure you know

background has disappeared since he answered the phone, and I wonder

"I miss you, Ava."

phone. "I miss you, too." How else am I supposed to answer? I don't

starting to feel

about Lucas very much. Well, not a lot… but a lot more than I

The hope in his voice

He's a nice person. Responsible. Steadfast. He took care of me, even

course, he'd also kept me locked away for my own safety, but it isn't

flashes to other things, like the sound of his voice in my ear, the way his gentlemanly

floods my cheeks, and I shake my head at Lisa as her eyes widen. She can't hear him on the

you haven't chosen

frown at his odd question. "About Lucas… I'm sorry I didn't tell you about him. Us." It seems

I feel like we're on slightly different wavelengths. It sounds like I've said something that's soothed him in some way. "I'll never hold that

"I know."

his happiness at my response, and that niggling feeling inside of me grows. I'm not sure what

to check on Ivy. I

me your number, so I can

number?" Lisa's nodding enthusiastically, mouthing, YES, YES, YES! at me.

I call you