Flight (The Crescent Chronicles #1)

Chapter Eight

The only hint that any of my memories from the night before were real came in the form of five angry voicemails from Toby waiting for me when I woke up. At least I knew Levi had been in my suite.

The messages themselves were actually a bit comical at first. Toby was furious in the first one, asking me where I got the nerve to hook up with a hillbilly. I had to laugh, Levi a hillbilly? By the fourth one, Toby seemed to have changed his approach. He was begging me to forgive him for jumping to conclusions because obviously it was just a big misunderstanding. The last one was kind of sad. He had heard Jess was home and asked why I didn't leave too. I realized how odd it was that the thought of returning home didn't even cross my mind. Being alone in New Orleans wasn't ideal, but neither was giving up before the summer ended.

I deleted the last message and didn't even consider calling Toby back. I had enough to process and talking to Toby wasn't going to help. I also had a message from Jess so I called her back, but I got her voicemail.

I didn't have to work which meant the whole day was open. I took an obscenely long shower, trying to comb through my memories. As odd as they were, I knew it had to be real. Somehow, it just fit. I knew that I was supposed to be freaked out by it. I had just discovered that the guy I was into was actually a paranormal creature. I guess I don't have normal reactions because once the shock of it all wore off, it was really cool. I mean, there was something undeniably sexy and exciting about Levi's wings and the power I knew came with them. It took bad boy to a whole new level. Hanging out with him was definitely not in "my plans" as Jess had described my mapped out life.

Pulling on a jean skirt and pink tank, I quickly finished getting ready. With no real plans, I stared at my phone willing it to ring. I had never been the girl waiting for a guy to call, but part of me needed to know that Levi was still interested and that the previous night had been more than a tease.

I glanced at my phone one last time around 11:00 a.m. as I walked into the hall, determined to stop waiting around.

"Hoping for a call from someone?"

I smiled when I noticed Levi leaning against the wall.

"How long have you been out here?"

"Awhile." He straightened up and took a step towards me.

"Oh. You could have knocked..." I trailed off.

"I figured there was no need to push you anymore than I did last night. But I had to see you—to see if you were still reacting well," Levi said carefully, like he was treading on thin ice.

"Why wouldn't I be reacting well?" I asked with a smile.

"It's not every day that you see something like that. Maybe in my life, but not yours."

"I guess it would be normal in yours."

He smiled. "Any chance I can take you to a late breakfast?"

"That depends. How are we getting there?" I asked, not sure what answer I wanted to hear.

Levi laughed. "We're walking, but would you want to fly with me again?"

I tried to dial down my real level of excitement at the thought of it. "I could be persuaded."

He reached over and ran a finger down my cheek. "I'm glad. There's more I want to show you."

"So are we going to go now or—"

"Uh, it's broad daylight Al, don't you think someone would notice?"

"Oh, you only fly at night? And now you're calling me Al?"