Page 165 of The Lost Guardian

“On occasion.”

“And that you’re incredibly brave.”

His brow lifted. “Oh?”

Ali pressed her fingers into her eyes. “Oh my God.”

Naya finally shook Santiago’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

She turned back to Ali, blinking with exaggerated innocence. “Funny. You forgot to mention he was handsome.”

“Naya.”

“Or that he has those lashes.”

“Naya.”

“Or that you look at him like—”

“I do not.”

Santiago bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing.

Naya folded her arms. “You do. You’ve got that look.”

“What look?”

“The one Mamá used to get when Papi walked in the room.”

Ali’s face softened, and she made a strangled sound. “I have never once had that look.”

“You have it right now.”

“Come on.” Ali tugged on Santi’s arm, leading him away.

“Leaving so soon?” Naya asked, suggestively wiggling her brows.

“I’ve promised him lunch.”

“Oh, is that what we’re calling it?”

Santiago couldn’t help himself. A laugh escaped him.

Ali shot him a glare that promised retribution later, but there was no hiding the color rising in her cheeks.

He found it incredibly endearing. After everything they’d survived in the Andes, seeing the fearless Ali lose a battle to her little sister’s teasing felt wonderfully, reassuringly ordinary.

It was about time someone else got flustered around here. Santiago would cherish the memory.

“I was thinking,” Santiago said now as he finally pushed his plate back for a small break.

“Yes?” Ali asked.

“Well, we head to Cusco next week and then Arequipa.”

Ali nodded.