Page 53 of Electric Touch

“Right now, I’m getting to know her. We’re friends.”

“You should invite her out.”

“Should I now?” I remark, looking out of the window. “I don’t need you telling me this, Alessa.”

“Yes, you do.”

I turn back to her, getting annoyed. There is a spark in her eyes when she sees my expression. She loves this. Crazy woman. As much as I’d like to tell her that, I value my balls. Plus, it’s coming from a good place, even if she is going about it all wrong. Alessa isn’t your typical woman. She doesn’t play games. But she doesn’t get to tell me what I should do where my personal life is concerned. I hope I’m conveying that on my face.

“She is going to a zip wire this weekend. You should go with her.”

“You want me to invite myself along? I’m sure her friends will appreciate that.”

“She go alone.”

Why is she doing that? I think about the bets she keeps making with Apollo. Is this another one? And if it is, why is he making her go on her own? A zip wire? It’s a lot different to kissing a stranger, or the whole life model thing. Or maybe it is for another reason. Whatever, she didn’t mention it to me, and I’m not about to invite myself along.

Alessa makes another one of her odd noises and nods.

“What does that mean?” I groan.

“You are going to go.”

“Don’t look at me like you’ve convinced me to do anything. I didn’t even open my mouth.”

“No need. I see. You will go.”

Fucking hell. I tip my head up and look at the ceiling. Another weird conversation with Alessa shouldn’t surprise me. We pull to a stop at my apartment building.

“Bye.”

I do a double take at my bandmate. That’s it? I don’t know why I’m surprised. The little witch knows she’s planted a seed. And she has, damn it. “Thanks for the coffee,” I mutter.

“Welcome.”

The bodyguard holds the door open. I climb out, glancing back at her. Alessa has a smile on her face, but she isn’t looking at me. She’s looking at her phone. I don’t know if she is smiling at what she did. Or if she is reading a message from Jordan. Or that god damn group chat. The guard shuts the door. He nods at me, gets back in the car and it pulls away.

I’m left wondering what the hell just happened.

I last three hours before Alessa is fully in my head, and I call Adrestia. I should have done it sooner anyway, given our last interaction, but now this idea is in my head, it’s all I’ve been able to think about. Dylan hasn’t been home yet, he text to say he was going out with Jack. I’m glad he’s not around for this. Because fuck, I’m totally letting Alessa boss me around.

“Hi,” her bright voice interrupts me from my thoughts of being coerced.

“Hey, how are you?”

“I’m good, thank you. I’m glad you called.”

“You are?”

“Yes,” she replies. “I just got home. It’s been a long day. I had some meetings and lots to prepare for the new semester starting soon.”

“Are you too tired to talk?”

“No, not at all. But I am hungry. Would you like to get some food with me?”

I agree, I haven’t eaten either. She suggests a Greek place in an hour. I jump in the shower, taking care over my outfit, vowing I will not tell Alessa any of this.

My cab pulls up at a traditional Greek restaurant in Soho, which is near to where Adrestia lives. I head inside. She text to say she’d booked a table for us, and to give in her name. The guy at the desk smiles, fully aware of who I’m referring to. He leads me behind a screen separating the front of the restaurant from the dining area.

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