Page 113 of The Wildcard

“Who’s us?” Mia asked, the clicking of her keyboard already filling his ears, “Are we all going?”

Angel shook his head, “No it’s just me. And Christina if she’d want to.”

“Okay. I’ll see what I can do.”

Click.

He blinked and looked up to see Ray’s eyes already on his. Angel grinned, pocketing his phone as he removed the earphone from his ear and put it back in his pocket as well.

Her chin tipped upwards as he neared her slowly, making sure to show her that his eyes were on her hair. Angel couldswearhe saw a light flush rise in her cheeks and was about to comment on it when a sweet voice yelled from the other end,

“Alright! She’s done!”

Ray turned away from him immediately, and Angel followed her gaze, his own eyes widening as he saw Ira step past the woman who was beaming at them. His jaw slackened at the complete change, his previous thoughts suddenly aimless as he saw the younger girl step forward. Ray was having a similar reaction as Ira shrugged, her hands in her pockets as she pouted,

“Well?” she asked softly, and Angel’s lips broke into a grin as he sidled close to Ray.

“Well kid,” he started and saw her glare. Took it with a widened grin, “You look great.”

Ira grunted in response, but Angel saw the happy gleam in her eyes. Was about to say something but she turned to Ray, gauging out her reaction.

Ray remained quiet beside him.

Silent for long moments that Angel took another step closer to touch his hand against her softly as he leaned forward to peer at her eyes.

Utter surprise rendered him frozen as he saw the sheen in her eyes. The way she was blinking it away abruptly as she pulled away from him. Angel’s brows furrowed as he stood back and Ray took a step forward, a smile grazing her lips,

“You look killer Ira.” She said softly, “Do you like it?”

Ira’s expression wasnothinglike the one she’d given Angel. It was far more of everything.Hesaw it. Sometimes he wondered if Ray did too. Ira dipped her chin, sucking in a breath before replying quietly,

“I love it.”

Ray huffed out a laugh but turned to face the other woman instead. The woman who’d done Ira’s hair, he guessed as Ray reached forward to shake her hand,

“Thank you so much for this.”

The woman smiled, “That’s no problem. Here’s your card.” She handed the credit card to Ray, which she pocketed immediately. Angel smirked, rocking back on his heels as he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He didn’t remove the device just yet. Kept his attention on Ray as she thanked the woman again and turned to Ira with an odd gleam in her eyes,

“You wanna head out to the amusement park now?” she asked, and Ira visibly brightened, a rare sort of flush appearing in her pale cheeks as she nodded her head. Ray turned to face Angel, and he tilted his head as that gaze matched his.

“Cameron and Neera are already there.” She said softly and Angel hummed, “Shall we?”

He was aware his entire demeanor was twinkling as he grinned back at her, “We shall.”

Their walk out to their bikes and the amusement park was quieter than what he’d been expecting. Was almost peaceful until they reached the bustling gates of the newly built place.

Angel parked his bike on one end and removed his helmet, seeing Ira and Ray do the same beside him. The loud chatter of strangers filled the air around them, but he was close enough to hear the words Ray whispered in Ira’s ears,

“Stay close to me.” She said and paused, “Or Angel. Either of us wouldn’t let any harm come to you.”

A warm feeling rushed into his heart, but Angel kept his gaze averted as he removed his phone from his pocket. Saw the message from Mia and smirked,

Andrews: Done.

“Oh,” Ray’s surprised voice drew him out of his thoughts, and he snapped up. His eyes widened as he caught a lock of golden-brown hair glint in the sunlight, “Cameron. Hey!Neera!”

The shorter girl turned on her heels from beside Cameron while the other boy did the same, his ebony eyes going wide as he caught them. He waved at them, and Angel waved back, getting off his bike as he did so.

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