Maybe he sees it on my face, that fraction of a second when I let my guard down, because in that moment his expression softens and his eyes go bright as flame and even though I barely see him move, suddenly he has closed the space between us and heโs wrapping his warm hands over my shouldersโfingers so warm and strong I almost cry outโand saying, โLena. I like you, okay? Thatโs it. Thatโs all. I like you.โ His voice is so low and hypnotic it reminds me of a song. I think of predators dropping silently from trees: I think of enormous cats with glowing amber eyes, just like his.
Lauren OliverIโm Hana,โ Hana says. โAnd this is Lena.โ She jabs me with an elbow. I know I must look like a fish, standing there with my mouth gaping open, but Iโm too outraged to speak. Heโs lying. I know heโs the one I saw yesterday, would bet my life on it. โAlex. Nice to meet you.โ Alex keeps his eyes on me as he and Hana shake hands. Then he extends a hand to me. โLena,โ he says thoughtfully. โIโve never heard that name before.
Lauren Oliver