The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 1012

She goes still for a moment and then laces her fingers with his, squeezes his hand. “We’re not dating or anything,” she snaps. “Just…because you got all rejected and stuff. I didn’t come running up here just because you’re single – I thought you were going to die –“

“Sure, you didn’t,” Jesse says, dry, nodding slowly, a smile curling his lips.

She laughs a little, turning her head to look at his profile in the starlight. “I mean it, Jess. I…stand by everything I said before.”

“Okay, Daphne.” Jesse says quietly. “I believe you. Let’s just…see how it goes.”

She nods, even though he doesn’t see it, and then turns her face up to the night sky.

They lay there for a long time.

Neither drops the other’s hand.

“Midnight?” I call, seeing the little figure crossing the grass, dragging her feet and looking down. I frown, standing from my place at Jackson’s side on the little wicker loveseat that mom got us for our front porch.

Jackson looks up too, curious, and even Marigold lifts her head from her collection of toys on the front porch, a little stuffed tiger taking pride of place in her lap.

“Hi,” Midnight calls, climbing up our front steps, looking a little wobbly. “Um, I rejected Jesse.”

“What!?” I breathe, going quite still.

“Oh, heavens,” Jackson murmurs. “Are you okay?”

“What happened!?” I gasp. Jackson gives me a little nudge down the bond that’s equivalent to a dirty look, letting me know that that’s not what’s important right now.

Like hell it’s not, I snarl back, shoving his little nudge away. Inwardly he laughs.

“Um, it’s a long story,” Midnight says, looking totally exhausted. She eyes the couch and the empty space at Jackson’s side. “Can I…can I come sit down? For a little bit?”