Seb shrugged as he propped himself back against the door jamb. “It would be because I’ve just found the girl I’ve been looking for my entire life, and she hates cigarette smoke. It’s not exactly a complicated decision.”

The girl I’ve been looking for my entire life. Alex resisted the urge to throw Seb off the balcony and see if he could fly. “Here’s a tip: you might as well keep smoking. Have four packs a day; knock yourself out. Nothing’s going to happen between you and Willow. Or haven’t you got that yet?”

Seb stood with his hands in his jeans pockets; a breeze ruffled one of his loose brown curls. He shrugged. “Yeah, that must be the only reason I want to stick around – because I think she’s going to fall into my arms tomorrow. You know what, you’re right. Now that I’ve met another half-angel, why don’t I just leave? Willow won’t care. Neither will I.”

Alex had a feeling that Willow would care – a lot, actually. God, why had he even suggested letting this guy stay? But he knew why, and it was still the most important thing, bar none.

“Don’t go anywhere until you teach her how to change her aura,” he said. “After that, I’ll help you pack. Anyway, back to business. Have the guys helped you figure out where you’re sleeping?”

Seb looked unsurprised at the change of subject. “Yeah, they said they could put a camp bed in the dorm for me. It looks pretty crowded in there already, though. Plus I don’t think anyone likes the idea very much, you know?”

Alex didn’t like the idea either; Willow was self-conscious enough already about being in his room, without him wanting Seb out there in the dorm too. “You can take one of the storage rooms,” he said. “It’ll be pretty cramped, but if we pile some boxes up, we could probably just about squeeze a camp bed in.”

“Sounds good. I’d like that better, anyway,” said Seb. And apparently with that, he considered the conversation closed. He bent to snag his knapsack from the floor; swung it over his shoulder in an easy motion.

Seeing Seb’s knapsack reminded Alex of something. “Hey, have you still got Willow’s picture?” he asked. “The one of her when she was a little girl? Because I think she’d really like it back, you know. It means a lot to her.”

Seb regarded him; suddenly his eyes were almost impish with humour. “Don’t worry – I’ll keep it safe, and give it back to her soon. But for now—” He shrugged, smiled. “Hey, you’ve got the girl, I’ve got the picture. That’s fair, right?”