Page 12 of Lightning Angel

She retreated to her original position and pretended to be engrossed in the book she held, with her back facing him—ifhe would see her when he’d turn to place the book back.

Ifhe would even notice the book had fallen.

Ifhe was the one behind the mischief at all.

Seconds later, she heard a book falling to her side. She closed her book and placed it away, a chuckle escaping her lips before she could stop it. Hewasbehind this.

“Are you having trouble keeping your book on the shelf?”

The boy’s chuckle joined hers. It was a delightful sound. “It seems tomethat we’re both playing a game.”

“The one you started.”

“And you stepped in to play along gladly.”

“You left me with no other choice.”

“Oh, youhada choice. You beckoned me into the game by pushing a book to my side.”

“Oh, really?” Alexa bent down to pick the book. When she straightened and looked through the narrow gap, he was still facing his back to her. “What was the game supposed to be?”

He lifted a shoulder in a graceful shrug. “I was merely recommending you a book; you seemed to be struggling to find one.”

Alexa narrowed her eyes at his back. “Were you stalking me? Are you that guy from church who was staring at me?”

Up until then, she had forgotten that she had caughthim staring at her. All that occupied her mind had been her trying to catch him and his disappearance,andthe tad disappointment it left her with. In between, she had completely forgotten about his staring.

“You’re too smart for your own good.” He shook his head, and she detected a smile in his voice. Still, he wouldn’t turn.

“I’d say I’m observant and cautious.” She crossed her arms, hugging the book to her chest. “Are you going to turn so I could speak to your face, or are you going to leave me staring at your back all the time?”

“Do you enjoy staring at my back? Sounds like you do.”

Up went her eyebrows. “Are you flirting with me?”

“Trust me. I don’t know the first thing about flirting.”

Alexa rolled her eyes, but was unable to hold off a smile. “Could’ve fooled me, because you’re doing it right now.”

“I’m honored by your approval.”

Laughter bubbled up inside Alexa, and the next moment she was bursting with laughter.

“You’re laughing,” the handsome stranger said, and his voice took on a soft note, almost surprised, marveling.

“Because you made me.”

Then his words clicked into place. She hadn’t laughed since her dad’s departure. The last time she ever laughed like this, extending her heart, had been with him, two days before he took his last breath. She and Cassie were reliving their most cherished and hilarious memories with him.

The memory evoked the ache in her heart. Alexashoved the thoughts aside.

Her dad wanted her to be happy, and here she was, laughing for the first time in three months. She had chuckled, stifled and spluttered laughs, giggled a little… but laugh? Like this? No, she hadn’t. And she was as surprised as the handsome stranger.

“You alright? Did I offend you?” His concerned voice brought her attention back to him. She looked through the narrow gap; he still hadn’t turned.

“No, you didn’t.” Her voice was soft in marvel.

“You sure?” he pressed, sounding unsure.