Flashback ( PDFDrive )

her to order them back to Gildingham, but Grizel said if he did that,
she’d cover all of his weapons in Ro’s flesh-eating bacteria.”
“And it’s not like Sandor’s letting you treat him, either,” Tam
added. “He didn’t even wipe the blood off his face.”
“I know,” Dex said. “I can’t imagine being that tough.”
“Um, you already are.” Sophie pointed to the giant bruise on his
cheek, then to his left arm, which she could now see was supported by
a golden sling.
He tried to shrug—then winced. “It’s just a sprained shoulder.”
“There’s no ‘just’ about that, Dex,” she said, reaching for him with
her good hand.
Tears blurred the room as her gloved fingers tangled with his.
“If you hadn’t answered when I pressed my panic switch—or made
it for me in the first place . . .”
Dex cleared his throat. “I’m just glad you used it. Thank you for
trusting me.”
“Thank you for saving us.”
He tightened his grip. And as the last fragments of space vanished
between them, so did any lingering wisps of the awkwardness that had
rattled their friendship after their epic fail of a kiss.
“Uh . . . should I leave you guys alone?” Tam asked.
Dex laughed, his dimples making a quick appearance. “Nope. We’re
good.”
And the best part was: They really were.
They were also safe—and Sophie clung to that word as hard as she
clung to Dex. But then she realized . . .
“Where’s Wylie?” She hated herself for not asking about him
sooner.