Alex stayed in the armchair longer than he meant to.
The book sat open on his knee, the same page staring up at him. Across the lounge Stolas and Kyle were still speaking near the bookshelves. Their conversation had not ended. Kyle gestured once with the tablet. Stolas answered, head tilted, expression focused. Whatever it was, it held both of them.
Alex forced his eyes back to the book. The words still refused to settle.
A few minutes later footsteps stopped beside his chair.
“Time to go,” Troy said.
Alex looked up. Troy stood with his hands in his pockets, gaze moving once toward the far end of the lounge before returning to him.
“They’re still talking,” Alex said before he could stop himself.
Troy followed his line of sight. Stolas and Kyle had not noticed them. Or if they had, t
