Page 35 of Tell Me Everything
Elena rubbed the back of her head. It was a habit of Alex's that she had taken over.Adorable.
“I guess? I'm interested in your life, but it's not in my nature to stick my nose in someone else’s business. I'm sorry I pushed you.”
“And I'm sorry I called you a hypocrite.”
“Maybe it's time we learned to trust each other if we want this friendship to work, don't you think?”
Alex nodded. It was time he accepted that Elena had managed to worm her way into his heart and make a place for herself there. As if she understood what he was thinking, she tightened her arms around him.
“Thank you for helping.”
“Always.”
Chapter 15
Alex
A strange feeling of unease roused Alex from his slumber. He ached all over, but that wasn't what had woken him up. It was the pretty brunette standing just inches from him. The stranger gazed at him with her big blue eyes, a shade Alex felt he'd seen many times before. His head was spinning, and he could hardly keep his eyes open. Panic was not far away. Who was she? Alex didn't let anyone into his room, so how had she ended up here?
“Ella, give him time to wake up.”
The teenager stepped back, and Alex glanced towards the door, where Jade and his mother were standing. Jade's smile reassured him. She had the same calm aura as Elena. Ella, on the other hand, seemed to be a live wire.
“Hey, Alex, I've come to see how your wounds are. Can I come in?”
Alex nodded. She gave the young girl a heavy look before coming to sit on the edge of the bed.
“This is Ella, my goddaughter. She's going to help me clean your wounds, if that’s alright.”
“I don't mean to be rude, but why would I accept this?”
His mother was about to protest, but Jade waved her off. “I'm training her in first aid. Don't worry, she knows what to do. If at some point you want her to stop, I'll do it.”
Alex hesitated. This kid had waltzed into the one place where he felt he was in control. And now she was going to treat him, even though she looked younger than he was. Seeing Ella's hopeful gaze, Alex felt himself accept. Something was endearing about her that made her look like an overexcited puppy. She smiled and came to stand beside him. Ella cleaned his woundsand re-bandaged him. Jade was right. The kid knew what she was doing.
Elena knocked on the door. The room seemed brighter now that she was there. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Ella. The moment the brunette became aware of Elena's presence, her grip on his shoulder tightened, and Alex groaned in pain. This girl had the strength of a bull.
Ella let go, covering her mouth. “Sorry...”
Ella kept fidgeting like a hyperactive child, and Jade beckoned her to leave. She ran to Elena and jumped into her arms. His friend was taken aback, but returned her embrace. Tears glistened in her eyes.
“What a coincidence!” Jade mused, all smiles.
Alex knew from the look on the doctor's face that she'd planned the whole thing. He just didn't know why. After Ella released Elena, she never let her out of her sight. Elena rubbed her eyes, a shy smile on her lips. She sat down on the edge of the bed, and Ella leaned against her. The three of them watched Alex with the same piercing blue gaze. They all had very distinct faces, but their eyes were a family heirloom. Elena and Jade had thin faces and high cheekbones, and Ella had well-defined eyebrows and a full mouth. But where Elena's nose was thin and straight, Jade and Ella's were small and round.
“How do you feel?” she asked.
“Alive.”
Jade cleared her throat before turning back to her niece. She had something planned. “Lena, this weekend we're celebrating the wedding anniversary of Grandma Louise and Grandpa François. Did you know?”
All traces of colour in her face vanished, giving way to sadness. She shook her head. Alex took her hand to comfort her. She in turn squeezed it. Elena hadn't seen her family since her brother's funeral, three years earlier. Her mother hadn't let her.
“You should come. They miss you so much. I'm sure it would be a nice surprise.”
Jade was good at playing on people's heartstrings. This caught Ella's attention. She begged Elena with her eyes. “Please come! We have so much to talk about.”
Elena wasn't going to resist her for long.
