Page 14 of Lightning Angel
“Why are you asking my name, my lady? It’s mysterious.”
“What, is it something like Rumpelstiltskin?”
“I thought it was spelled Rumpelstillteskin.”
“People pronounce it differently, I think.” She narrowed her eyes at his attractive back that was starting to infuriate her. “But don’t change the subject. If you’re planning to say that not revealing your name to a girl is anotherhotthing, keep it to yourself.”
He laughed, and it was melodious, nearly soothing her fury. “Wasn’t going to. What I was actually going tosay was, what if you don’tlikemy name?”
Alexa snorted. “You’re the most impossible boy I’ve ever met.”
“You can say that again.”
And she repeated, mischievously, emphasizing each word. “You are the most impossible boy I have ever met.”
He didn’t interrupt as she had interrupted him, but only chuckled, shaking his head.
Oh, if only that head would just turn!
“So, your name?”
“What if my name is boring and ugly? What if youdon’tlike it?”
“Alright, here’s what I’ve learned about names. Once upon a time, there were names I liked, loved, and disliked. But you know what, books made me love the names I once found boring and unlikable. Take Alex for example. I didn’t like that name.Atall.”
“Is it because—” he began and paused for a long moment that prompted Alexa to ask, “Because of what?”
“Because of Alexander the Great?”
She laughed. “And why would I not like it because it washisname?”
“Or perhaps you’ve met some bad Alexes?”
“Of course not.” Alexa couldn’t stop laughing. She clutched her stomach; it hurt, but it also felt too good. After getting a hold on herself, she continued. “Honestly, the names I claimed to dislike, I really didn’t have a reason for it. Anyways, my point is, my dislike of the name Alex changed when I read a certain character; he was an amazing male lead. Same with Ryan, Michael, Damien—oh,oh!Stefan! I did not like the name Stefan before, but Stefan Salvatore from The Vampire Diariesmade meloveit. He’s now my number one book boyfriend.”
The handsome stranger laughed. “My parents should’ve named me Stefan.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Alexa laughed with him. “I’m sure you have a charming name. I’ve learned that it’s not the sound that makes a name handsome but the person bearing it. So dearmysteriousstranger, you have a charming, easy-going personality, and whatever your name is, Iknowit is charming. So, stop keeping me waiting and spit it out.”
There was a beat of silence. Alexa held her breath in waiting.
“Tristan,” he said at last, his voice almost reverent. “My name is Tristan.”
“Tristan,” she repeated, a smile blooming on her face and an odd triumphant feeling settling inside her. “See, I told you your name would be charming.”
“So you think my name is charming?”
“Tristan is one of my favorite male names, actually.” Before he could make a remark, she added, “But don’t even think of gloating.”
“Wasn’t going to.” He laughed again. “So…?”
“So what?” she asked, feigning innocence. He was hinting at her revealing her name too.
“May I know your beautiful name?”
“It’s mysterious,Tristan, why would you ask?” She would’ve batted her eyes at him if he were looking at her.
“Oh, you don’t want to do this…”