Page 124 of The Wishing Game

"They do not care for me," he echoes yet another objection.

I frown. Okay, fine. Ten more options.

"Eight?"

He immediately shakes his head.

"It is an unlucky number."

I give him another three suggestions, which he promptly rejects.

Throwing my hands up in the air, I blow out an annoyed breath. "I give up. Just tell me what monthisokay with you."

He licks his lips, his eyes never once leaving mine.

"Ananke is a good month," he adds slowly, uncertainly.

"Okay. Ananke it is then. What about the day?" When he simply stares at me, I add, "What is a good day? Or a lucky day for you?"

He presses his lips together.

"Sa," he answers firmly.

"Sa? What is that?"

"It is a number in my language."

"What number?" I inquire curiously.

He pushes his chin up, for the first time averting his gaze.

"Six," he replies casually.

"Six of Ananke?" I repeat, a little taken aback.

"Yes. Do you have something against it?" he quickly asks, folding his arms across his chest and narrowing his eyes at me.

"No. But we share a birthday now," I point out with a smile.

"Indeed." He nods pensively. "I wager I can give you a better present than you can."

My brows shoot up, my lips trembling with amusement. Oh, Ze. He can never just say something outright, can he?

"Then I shall accept that wager," I chuckle.

He nods to himself. Seconds stretch into minutes as he starts fidgeting in his seat. Eventually, he picks up our bag with supplies. Grabbing a couple of nut bars, he pushes them into my lap.

"Eat," he commands.

I frown at his sudden change in demeanor. But when I don't obey his order, he takes the bar, tears the paper package, and pushes it against my mouth.

"Wha—" I don't even manage to voice my question as he pushes the bar past my lips. I reluctantly bite into it, munching slowly.

"You need your strength. We have walked a long distance today," he says awkwardly.

I nod, taking the bar and biting into it. I'm notthathungry, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to eat a little more.

"You should eat, too." I hand him the unopened bar.

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