As if sensing my fears, he put his arm around me and tugged me against his side while we waited for Victoria and Ash to join us.
"Did you have fun?"
"Yes, thanks, Alex."
"Of course. Maybe we can do it again sometime."
My fears eased a little at his comment. "I would like that." I meant it, too. Hanging out with Alex was fun. "So, what did you have in mind for Friday evening?" I wasn't sure he actually wanted to hang out with me again, so I thought I would see what his plans were. That would help me decide if I had really screwed up or not.
"It's a surprise. I think you'll enjoy yourself."
I wasn't reassured, but it didn't sound like he had decided to ditch me because of the weird sparkles.
The song ended, and Victoria and Ash joined us. She took a long drink from the water cooler, and then Ash led the way toward the exit.
Alex kept his arm around me, and Victoria walked in front of us. The air had cooled significantly when we stepped outside, and I shivered. I wasn't used to the temperature dropping so rapidly at night, especially in August.
"Are you okay?" Alex had felt my shiver.
"Yes. It's just chilly."
"Welcome to life at altitude. The car has heated seats."
I smiled in anticipation. That would feel good on my sore muscles, too. Between hiking yesterday and dancing today, I could have used a long soak in a bath or hot tub. Light still lingered in the sky, and the backlit tree canopy felt a little ominous, especially after getting followed the night before.
Fortunately, we made it to the car quickly. Ash said goodbye before he went to his own vehicle. Alex helped me and Victoria into the Mustang and swiftly got it running.
I pushed the button for the seat heater and sighed as it warmed my abused muscles.
"The back has heaters too, if you want them, Victoria."
"Sweet!"
We traveled in silence, and I enjoyed as much of the scenery as I could see as the light faded. I yawned as we hit the roundabout and was glad that Victoria had kept track of time for us.
Alex stopped the Mustang on the main street in front of the sidewalk back to our dorm. Before I could unfold myself from the sportscar, he came around and opened the door and helped me out. I tried not to groan as I stretched out my legs. I didn't want Alex to think I was unhappy or something.
"I'll walk you to the dorm," he offered.
"Thanks." I walked next to him, though he didn't take my hand this time. I wasn't sure if I wanted him to or not, now that we were back. I had a vague feeling of being watched, and I glanced around but didn't see anyone.
Victoria led the way and waited at the door, key fob in hand to let us in.
"I had fun. Thank you, Alex."
"Me, too." For a moment he acted like he wanted to say something else, then his gaze darted toward Victoria and back at me. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Sounds good."
Alex left after we were inside our building.
Victoria and I glanced at each other. "Elevator." We said in unison, then burst out laughing.
Chapter 9
Sofia
I was starting to get used to Alex meeting me in the morning with a latte in hand. I sipped it as I worked my way through the breakfast line at the cafeteria.
"Good morning, Sofia."
I almost jumped, and my heart raced, though I didn't choke on my coffee when Allan startled me out of my morning fog.
"Hi, Allan."
His steel gray eyes glinted in amusement, and he joined me in the line.
"Doc reminded certain individuals that you wouldn't easily disappear. He's not sure if they cared, but he's trying to get them to back off."
I shivered. It was too early to think about getting kidnapped by the magic mafia. Hopefully, they would listen. Victoria's idea that the brothers were werewolves surfaced. If Doc was also some sort of supernatural being, I wondered what. Maybe he was a mage? That must be it. Otherwise, how could he get the other mages to leave me alone?
"That's good."
"Sorry to remind you this early in the morning." He glanced at my latte. "Does Alex bring you a latte every day?"
My cheeks flushed slightly. "No. Well, I mean, last week he didn't, anyway. I feel kind of bad. I know they're not exactly cheap. They are way better than the school coffee, though."
Allan nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Are you dating Alex? Because if you are, I need to tell Ed to back off."
This time I did choke on my coffee.
Allan put his hand on my back between my shoulder blades as if to pat my back. I shook my head.
"Sorry, no, I'm not officially dating anyone right now. Though I seem to have developed quite the social life in the week I've been here." I coughed a little and grabbed a tray. I put the coffee on it and glanced at the breakfast selections. French toast sticks, oatmeal, cereal, bacon, eggs. I grabbed a little of the various selections and noticed that Allan loaded his plate up.
"I hear Victoria is the one to talk to if someone wants to be on your schedule."
This time I laughed. "She started it."
Allan chuckled. "Seriously, though, if Ed is being too pushy, let me know. I'll knock some sense into him."
"No. I mean, I guess I really hadn't thought about it. He's fine." It was way too early for this conversation, and unfortunately, inhaling coffee didn't make the caffeine get into my system any faster.
"Okay. Ed gets pretty focused on things sometimes, and I wanted to make sure he wasn't being too intense for you."
I shook my head and headed for a table. Allan followed.
"He does confuse me, though. One minute, I think he's trying to hook me up with Doc." I blushed when I admitted that to Allan.
