Page 134 of Falling in Love with A Tiny Bat

“Huh,” Ollie interjects, stepping into Willow’s house with Brittny, late as ever. “I thought we’d been invited to a birthday party, not an effective antidepressant.”

Willow’s finger flies into the air. “Henceforth birthday parties are to be called antidepressants.”

I blink. “And here I’ve spent my entire life thinking they were friend subscription renewals.”

Willow’s mouth drops open as her eyes go massive. “I love that, too. Either, or. Both are suitable. Come, Xios. Let us renew our friend subscriptions whilst administrating drugs.”

Alexios’s depressing sigh could topple skyscrapers with its severity. “Don’t try to make a social expectation soundcool.”

“Too late!” Andromeda giggles, evilly, continuing to cling to her brother as he makes his way deeper into the living room, perusing the décor.

When his gaze skims mine, heat crawls up my neck.

Time slows down.

And his lips curve before his attention moves away.

What…wasthat?

Whatdidthatlook mean?

My stomach twists as I assess my emotions for any defectors.

Sadly, they’re a jumble of spaghetti in my chest.

And I have no idea why my heart skips another beat well after Alexios has found his way past me and into the kitchen.

Chapter 35

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What have I said aboutunexpected guests??

“Where do you think she gets her repressed rage from?” I murmur, watching a five-foot-two lass blindly chase her husband with the pinata stick.

Beside me, Kassandra watches Willow swing. “I…actually think they’re flirting?”

I shift my attention to her. “At a one-year-old’s birthday party? That’s highly inappropriate. Xios.” I nudge Alexios in the side with my elbow, refusing—as I have been for the past few hours—to make eye contact with him. “Shield yourself from this adult display before you grow up perverted or something.”

Alexios nudges me back, mumbling, “How dare she waste her energy hitting anything but that affront to nature… Mushrooms should not have eyes.”

“Xios,” I drone, “we’re going to play lots of Mario games together starting tomorrow.”

He mutters, “We’re not done with Kirby. I like Kirby. He eats anything. He’s my personal hero.”

Kassandra eyes us, suspiciously. “We should watch the Mario movie tonight. Xios can sit and textrelatableevery time Mario almost throws up a mushroom.”

“I don’t have my phone.” Alexios sniffs, indignant. “I flew here. All I can hold when I’m flying are my cuff links.”

Kassandra leans forward, past me, to look at Alexios. “How are you surviving without your phone?”

“Despite my general demeanor, you should know I’ve mentally matured beyondemo teenager.”

“Babies shouldn’t use phones anyway,” I offer. “Imagine me being mated to an iPad kid. I’d quite simply perish from shame.”

“Speaking of children.” Pollux’s voice grumbles behind us, sending a tremor up my spine.

He hooks his arm around Kassandra, but his threatening gaze lands firmly on me.

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