AVEL
I walked up to Kai and Aalto's table, the cafeteria noise fading around me as I concentrated on what I needed to say. "Hi," I said, clearing my throat. "Do you have a moment?" I said, looking at Aalto, and Kai looked up at me, clearly surprised; then he looked over at Aalto as if he did not know whether it was a good idea.
Aalto, to his credit, didn’t hesitate. "Yes," he said, and it was only then that Kai followed his lead, though there was still a hint of anxiety in his voice as he repeated, "Sure."
I caught that and gave him a small, reassuring smile. I was not here to fight his brother. I knew that was what he was worried about after I stated the other day that I was not ready to make peace with Aalto, but things had changed.
Kai stood up and walked away, looking toward the
