Page 16 (2/2)

“Do you want to go get dinner?” I ask, closing outit down

Xander lifts his gaze away from the computer and looks at the clock His head immediately whips back, and he jumps from his seat

“Fuck, I’rab his backpack, knocking the chair over in the process

I stand “Xander?”

“I can’t talk right now, Thea,” he says roughly and starts for the door He must realize how his tone was because he halts his steps and looks at etic expression “I’ht We can start Charmed”

Before I can respond, he’s out the door and gone

His behavior is so off-putting that I can’t even be excited that he said he’d finally watch Char him for months to start that one

Since Xander left in such a hurry, I pick up the fallen chair, turn off the lights, and lock up

He’s been running off a lot like that lately—so I know at least that has nothing to do with me and I take comfort in it

I head down the hall to Cade’s office and knock on the door before poking rin as he looks up froo”

He glances at the clock “I didn’t realize the time”

“Want to pick up a pizza on the way ho

He shakes his head “No can do Rae and I are going out”

Why am I not surprised?

“Oh, okay then More pizza for me”