Page 115 of The Wildcard

“It’s up to you.” She said and bit back a smile as Ira visibly brightened. A hint of doubt crept into Ray’s mind, and she didn’t know what went through her mind at that moment, but she turned to Angel who was eyeing her with a grin on his lips and–

Dimples.

Ray blinked past it, “Are you going on?” she asked, and his eyes glinted under the sunlight, widening at the hidden question.

Will you go to keep her safe?

“Do you want me to?” he asked softly, and Ray shrugged, even as her heart pounded in her chest at the way he leaned further towards her.

“Your wish.”

Yes.

“Consider the wish granted, Storm,” Angel murmured, his smile subduing as he turned to Ira and the rest of them. Mia hadn’t come along, and Ray hadn’t asked why. But the others were almost jumping in excitement when they’d gotten here.

Someone tapped her shoulder and Ray turned to her side, knowing that it was Cameron. His eyes had softened under the sun, his expression morphed into the calmest she’d ever seen him be when he signed,

“I’ll stay with.” He said and Ray shook her head, waving her hands in the air.

“No, no,” she signed back and saw him frown, “You go enjoy. I’m sure you love roller coasters.”

Cameron gazed down at her calmly, a smile touching the corner of his lips at her words. Sheknewhe lived for roller coasters. For that rush of wind and adrenaline. But today he shook his head,

“I’ll stay.” He signed back and Ray sighed, a bit relieved that she wasn’t going to be left alone. Maybe he could tell she needed to talk to him. And after dealing with all that she had in the salon, Ray didn’t know if she could be left alone for the time being.

A touch of warmth seeped through her arm then, and somehow Ray didn’t have to turn to know who sidled closer. Cameron, however, noticed the silent motion, and looked down at her.

His narrowed eyes should’ve made her flinch but then Angel was leaning over her shoulder and was too close to her ear.

“Want me to stay?”

Butterflies erupted in her stomach, bringing with them a trail of goosebumps up her arm as his breath tickled her ear.

Cameron’s eyes narrowed further, his brows turning into a frown as Angel’s soft laugh climbed up her spine and grabbed the back of her throat. A sudden rush of thrill andheatran down her body.

“Go with Ira, Raven,” Ray managed to say, proud of herself at her steady voice when Angel took a step away from her, taking his warmth with him. She kept her gaze averted from Cameron’s though, still feeling a bit faint as Angel said in a low voice behind her,

“Don’t stray too far, Storm,”

Only she heard those words, which is why she turned on her heels and faced him head-on. His amber eyes flashed at her sudden movement, a wry grin twitching his lips as she crossed her arms,

“You don’t tell me what to do.” She snapped, a thread of patience stretched thin as he inclined his chin and moved away from her,

“Just don’t stray too far from me.”

He echoed and went behind the disappearing figures of Ira and Jack behind him. Ray’s jaw clenched, her hands fisting in the pocket of her jeans when she saw Neera take a step in front of her, acutely followed by Cameron.

Both glaring.

Ray rolled her eyes as Cameron signed furiously, “What.”

She waved her hand, dismissing the entire thing by walking away. It was good too, because her façade didn’t last long.

A look of horror crossed her face, a wave of heat washing over her cheeks as she strode ahead. Ray made a beeline for the open restaurant she saw, brushing past the huddle of people to slam her fist down on the counter. The man standing on the opposite side, jumped in surprise, a look of distaste crossing his face at her action.

She didn’t really care. Just said the first thing that popped into her mind.

“A Gin tonic please.”