Page 224 of Sorrow & Strangers

“So, Max texted me when I was away,” I say as we walk through the campus.

“Did he admit to being a douche canoe?”

“Nope,” I say. “I’ve just ignored his messages.”

Alice shrugs. “I mean, aren’t you doing something with the stranger now, anyway? Like, commitment-wise?”

“What? No,” I say, coming to a halt, unsure why her words spook me so much. “Why would you say that?”

Alice stops and turns to look at me. “Because you guys were attached at the hip at All Souls.”

“Okay, well, we’re just . . . we’re not committed,” I say, looking away as I start walking again.

“Doesn’t he have a boner for commitment, though?”

“Alice, we’re not committed. Okay?” I ask a little more sharply than I mean to.

“Okay,” Alice says, shrugging again, but I remain tense. “Rafe needs to get over this thing about being around people. I thought Max was helping him,” Alice says, changing the subject.

“I thought so too, and he did fine at All Souls. We’ll discuss it with him tonight.”

“Our job as demon raisers is never done,” Alice says, linking her arm through mine.

I go to my advanced runes class, but it is not the distraction I’m hoping for. Thoughts of the stranger distract me the entire class. I know I’m not ready for what the stranger’s wanting, but Alice’s words really got to me. For the first time since I lost Connor, I feel like I’m finally healing, and the last thing I need is to jump into something else.

Last year, I started finding myself thanks to Connor and Alice. They helped me grow into who I am now, but there is this whole other part of myself I need to explore, and I can’t avoid it anymore. It’s time for the distractions to stop, and that means no more . . . intimate relations.

When I arrive at the canteen, Leo is sitting alone at our usual table, looking lost in thought. I sit down with my tray, dropping it a little harder than usual to get his attention.

“Hey,” I say when he looks up at me and blinks.

He nods. “Someone was looking for you.”

“Oh?” I frown.

“Me,” Max’s voice answers my question from behind me. “I was looking for you.”

I roll my eyes and ignore him, not turning to face him.

“Sum?” Max says, resting his hand on my shoulder.

“What?” I ask, piercing a lettuce leaf.

“Can I talk to you for a couple of minutes?”

I sigh, finally looking at him, and I glare at him for a long moment before relenting. “Fine,” I say, standing from the table. Max takes my hand and leads me to a quieter area in the canteen before releasing me.

“I texted you,” Max says awkwardly, his heavy brows drawn.

“I know,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Right . . .” He runs his hand over his cropped hair. “I wanted to explain. About last time.”

I look around impatiently.

“I didn’t have a date.”

I roll my eyes.