Page 42 (1/2)

He gavequalities left?"

I sighed and tiltedaway froive a fuck So that’s nice"

He gave htly on the forehead A thrill raced through me, followed by a massive tsunami of confusion A kiss on the forehead? What the hell was that? Should I do soreat friends" kiss? Or was he holding back because he didn’t want to get burned?

He tightened the hug briefly, then stepped back,the tsunami of confusion somewhat moot--at least as far as the "should I kiss hiripping my shoulders

"I appreciate that I’ht that aat hilare without much success

"I think that’s been well established C’ive you a ride ho to--"

"I know," he said "You’re going to suave my shoulders a squeeze "It’s okay I know you need to do this"

I searched his face for any flicker of regret or pain or angst or anything, but if he was feeling it, he was keeping it under unspeakably tight control "Thank you"

"I’h

"I know," I said, hiding a smile "And you have no idea how much that means to me Which makes what I have to say next even harder"

His brows drew together in a frown "What?"

My lips twitched "I’ Rhyzkahl You totally wasted all of that control and h there was relief in his eyes

"But I still appreciate the senti," he said "I don’t have a whole lot of control and maturity to waste on false alar the lord, then why do you need to go back to your house?"

"Well, you were close I a to summon, just not the demonic lord But, I know that you urowled at by demons?" he offered

"Well, yeah I know you’re a real weenie like that"

He laughed "You’re definitely hanging out withfrom the best!"

Chapter 30

Despite our earlier banter, neither of us said h I wasn’t suuaranteed to be an odd and tense situation with Ryan present, which hy I didn’t intend for hi was a bit too crucial and I didn’t want to risk so because I was distracted by worry over Ryan’s safety