Across the table, Alaric looked personally betrayed.
"You too?"
"I'm trying very hard to defend you."
"You are not."
"I'm really not."
Clara nearly fell out of her chair laughing.
"The best part is she ran away immediately afterward."
Alaric groaned.
"She didn't run."
"She blocked your number."
"That happened later."
The dining room exploded into laughter.
Even Elena couldn't stop smiling.
For the first time since meeting him, she had discovered something priceless.
Alaric Hale could be embarrassed.
The revelation felt oddly satisfying.
Especially after yesterday.
Across the table, Alaric narrowed his eyes.
The look promised retaliation.
Elena simply smiled back.
A silent declaration of victory.
Unfortunately, Clara chose that exact moment to ruin everything.
"Oh."
She froze suddenly.
The laughter gradually died down.
Both Alaric and Elena looked toward her.
"What now?" Alaric asked.
Clara blinked.
Then checked something on her phone.
