He nodded and left quickly, throwing them one last puzzled look before he left.
Ari sighed and turned to face Falon, feeling a stupid little ache in her chest that Charlie had moved on so fast. “I’m not upset. I’m fine. You just took me by surprise.” She smiled ruefuly, tentatively touching her cheek. “It means I made the right decision.”
Understanding, Falon nodded, her dark brown eyes ful of more wisdom than someone her age should have. “You did, you know. Charlie wil realize that soon
enough too. He’s just being stubborn.”
“We’ve been friends forever. Sometimes it’s hard to let go of the memories.”
“I’l get him there.” Falon smiled kindly, looking so much like her mom it was scary. “If that’s okay?”
Ari gave her a reluctant smile back. “I like how he is around you,” she admitted, even though doing so made her a little sad. “He’s better.”
“So, we’re stil friends then?”
“Of course.”
“Are we sparring or gossiping, ladies?” Jai asked, striding back into the room with the ice.
Falon roled her eyes. “Speaking of stubborn.” She smirked at him as he passed her, stopping in front of Ari to gently press the ice cold towel to her cheek. His fingers brushed her chin as he tipped her head up a little and Ari shivered. Falon chuckled. “We were just discussing sex, Gorgeous. Maybe you got something to add to that?”
Feeling her cheeks heat as Jai tensed, Ari lifted her gaze to catch his but he was looking back around at Falon, scowling.
“What?” Falon shrugged, laughing. “She’s hot!” she gestured to Ari. “Half the guys in The Guild are drooling over her. You should think about picking up the snail’s pace before some other guy gets there first.”
“Falon,” Ari groaned, puling away from Jai in embarrassment as he turned to look at her questioningly. So a couple of the guys she’d met had been a little flirty. The other half were scared shitless of her, so she thought that evened it out a little.
“Sorry to interrupt, people,” Caroline said, appearing in the doorway. She was staring at Jai. “Someone here to see you.”
***
“Oh my God,” Ari breathed, a huge smile breaking out across her face. “Trey.”
The guardian Jinn who, with his tal, rangy build, messy dark blonde hair and tip-tilted grey eyes, might just be the most beautiful guy Ari had ever laid eyes on.
Seeing him brought a rush of warmth to Ari’s chest as he stood, leaning casualy against one of Michael’s bookshelves with a wide smile. He was wearing a pair of designer black slacks, beat up biker boots, a crisp white t-shirt, and a tailored leather jacket. He wore clothes wel and he knew it. Ari wasn’t pleased to see him because he was so gorgeous—although he did pretty up any room he was in— she was pleased to see him because he was so loyal to Jai. He loved his friend, and for that he had Ari’s friendship and trust. “Hey, beautiful.” He winked at her as he strode toward Jai and took his hand, puling him in for a gruff one armed hug.
“Not that I’m not pleased to see you,” Jai said slowly, looking confused as he glanced between Trey and Michael Roe. “But what are you doing here?”
“Thought you might need a hand,” Trey answered vaguely before grinning at Ari again and reaching to pul her into a bear hug. She laughed, shoving him playfuly away when he squeezed too hard. He frowned suddenly and reached to turn her face into the light. “What happened here?” he eyed the bruise on her cheekbone that was thankfuly already beginning to heal.
Ari shrugged. “I wasn’t paying attention. Falon’s tiny, ineffectual fists… not so ineffectual.”
Michael cleared his throat, getting up from behind his desk. “Trey has requested permission to join The Guild while you’re here?”
Surprised, both Ari and Jai pinned Trey with inquisitive gazes. He laughed again and shrugged. “I finished up my case and thought a vacation from the Ginnaye might be in order.”
“And you’re letting him stay?” Jai asked Michael, and Ari could hear the curiosity in the question. She was a little curious too as to why The Guild would let Trey in.
It wasn’t like The Red King had forced this on Michael Roe.
Falon’s dad shrugged. “I’ve heard of Trey. He’s a great Ginnaye. He’s your friend and I think it’s wise we have as many powerful Jinn among The Guild as we can get our hands on while Ari is staying with us.”
Jai nodded. “Fair enough.” And then he turned to Trey, silent questions in his eyes.
Ari wondered if they were telepathing.
“Let’s catch up.” Trey gestured to the door, his smile wilting a little.