"Prevention is better than cure," Reid mused quietly, glancing at her with a mix of apprehension and a desire not to get hurt again.
"Silly," she replied, feeling her heart race as she met his gaze.
"Aw, you're lovely to me. Hmm, you know how to give a good muscle squeeze! It seems like you might be trying to hurt me, but the truth is that you want to give me a tight squeeze instead... Ouch! That hurt! Ouch, that hurts!" Reid's voice was filled with complaints.
Ella pinched his flank, surprising him with the unexpected retaliation. Reid winced, then eased away from Ella's reach.
"Why were you talking to Dad? What did you say to him?" Ella asked with a mix of worry and curiosity in her tone.
Reid became aware of the tension. "Hey, I called them on your phone last night. I just wanted t
