Pretty Boy: Paul Lahote Love Story

So Much for a Nice Date

Edited 6/2/22.

A/N: This chapter contains swearing, non-consensual touching by a stranger (nonsexual), and a mild panic attack. Viewer discretion is advised.

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Instead of his usual side swept hair style, Marshall lets his dark waves pool over his forehead. After smoothing down a few fly-aways, he sticks out his tongue to change the stud of his piercing. Careful fingers undo the black ball on the end of a silver barbell protruding through his tongue. The plain sphere is swapped with an alexandrite one, the gem changing color with the slightest movement.

Once finished, he brings his attention down to the shirts lying in front of him. He's already clad in a pair of auburn skinny jeans and some socks. He just can't seem to choose between a thin black long sleeve and a light gray button-up. Narrowed eyes shift between both garments for a few minutes. He pouts and hums while thinking.

With a shrug, he leaves it up to chance with eeny-meeny-miny-mo. Childish, but effective. The black long sleeve wins.

The shirt is being put on when he hears the door close on the first floor. Edward's scent is picked up along with someone else's. A human.

Marshall walks from his spot near his mirror towards the window. He sees a silver car in front of the house that's easy to recognize. It doesn't give any clue on who has shown up. Golden eyes dart back to the interior of a spacious loft.

Because they're separated by multiple floors, Marshall's sensitive nose picks up the new fragrance as if he were down the hall from the human. He's guessing because of the conversation with Rosalie a few months ago, that Edward has brought Bella to meet the family.

Marshall still has no idea what she looks like. He can hear the sound of her voice though. It's soft, and a bit lower pitched than expected.

He'll admit that she smells good, but compared to Paul's scent it's nothing to freak out over.

The vampire continues to get ready at a calm pace despite a lingering sense of nervousness.

He's meeting Paul for drinks, and the wolf had graciously offered to pick up his imprint for their date. Whether it be platonic or romantic, Marshall's unsure. Still, the thought of a date seems sweet. It's a different change of pace that he's open to.

A designated meetup point is a few minutes away from the Cullen house in the opposite direction of where Edward and Bella came from. It's close enough for Marshall to be able to run to quickly at full speed, but far enough for his family members to not catch Paul's scent. It's a win-win for everyone.

Glass breaking catches the vampire's attention. He hears the pissed off tone of Rosalie's voice. He chuckles while glancing down at his phone. Paul should be at the meetup point any minute now.

Marshall supposes it's a good time as any to leave. And he may as well meet Edward's mate while he's at it.

With enhanced speed, Marshall grabs his jacket and accessories, puts on his boots, turns off the lights, and exits his loft. The glass door is closed behind him. Quiet steps are taken down the stairs to not disturb the conversation going on beneath him. Multiple voices get louder with every approaching step.

"-on't worry Jasper, you won't hurt her,'' he hears Alice say.

It's the perfect awkward moment for the unseen vampire to slip in.

He takes note of the shorter teen standing beside Edward. She has long brown hair and a petite frame. Her clothes are simple; the outfit consists of jeans and a green long sleeve. Her stance is also stiff even though she's trying to present herself as comfortable.