My eyes widened as heat rushed straight to my face. I straightened quickly, acutely aware that Helen was still in the room.
Alexander looked far too pleased with himself.
I cleared my throat and turned back to Helen, grateful for the distraction. “You’re staying over, I hope?”
She smiled apologetically. “No, I think I’ll head out.”
“But it’s late,” I said immediately. “You should just spend the night.”
She shook her head. “I’ll be fine.”
I glanced at Alexander pointedly.
He didn’t seem to notice.
I waited a beat. Then another.
Nothing.
I reached out and pinched his arm.
He reacted instantly. “Ow—what?”
I gave him a look.
“Oh,” he said, catching on at last. He turned to Helen. “You should stay, Mom. It’s safer. I can drop you off tomorrow.”
Helen studied him for a long moment.
