“Promise,” I insisted, earning me another long look from a face that made the guy who played Electro-Man in the movies look like a knockoff superhero. “What?”
His lips pressed together. “I thought you were dying.”
I knew it!
“You went limp, and you smelled wrong. I don’t like the way that made me feel.” His gaze moved to meet mine, and he pointed his index finger at my nose. “I mean it. No more fainting.”
It was so hard not to laugh. He genuinely sounded so put-out.
He’d been worried about me.
Friends worried about each other. Friends cared. They wanted the best for you.
And here we were.
“Control my bodily functions after spending time with your grandma and learning a bunch of crazy top-secret knowledge, got it,” I whispered sarcastically, watching his face, trying not to take it too much to heart.
But failing.
Because… I was sure he cared. Aboutme. Alex cared, and I couldn’t show it on my face or I’d ruin it.
But it was like learning the earth really was flat.
“Exactly,” he agreed in that low, grumbly voice.
I had to keep my face straight. I couldn’t let my heartbeat get all funny or let my eyes water as I looked at the flawless features right in front of me, all concerned and irritated at the same time. I couldn’t react to the tip of the finger that was now barely brushing the tip of my nose. Definitely couldn’t do that.
His expression was sober. “No more fainting.”
I pressed my lips together. “No more fainting… if I can help it.”
“Promise me.”
I had to cling to my sarcasm so that my body wouldn’t betray me. I couldn’t fucking smile. “You’re really annoying when you’re bossy, but yes, I promise.” Okay, I smiled just a little, but just a little.
He narrowed his eyes, fully aware of my bullshit.
I guess we both knew each other too well at this point.
The door creaked open.
I held my breath as I took in the figure there.
“Grandmother,” Alex greeted the woman standing at the doorframe, her fingers wrapped around a cane that looked…
Was that a huge emerald on the top of it?
The amount of power she managed to pack in her body, it electrified my cells. It was a rough buzz beneath my skin. For some reason though, this time it made me a little less nauseous and more… awake?
“Is there something we can do for you, Grandmother?” Alex asked, still not moving from where he was.
She raised her chin. “You can leave the room. I want to speak with your Gracie.”
I had a feeling about that “your Gracie” thing.
“Alone, Alexander. You can wait outside,” the older woman said. She obviously knew a door and some drywall wasn’t going to block out our voices, but all right.
I felt his gaze shift back toward me, and I met it, giving him a nod that was 98 percent reluctant.
