"Then quit pushing me away," he teased, gently elbowing Jace in the ribs. He pretended not to be relieved that his friend was finishing off the sandwich. When he'd seen Jace after the accident, it'd reminded him too much of... something hazy from when they were kids that Alec hadn't understood but had known was bad. "You're not going to ruin your reputation by being friendly to me or to our neighbors."

Our, not his. Jace was staying. The people he loved most would be in town. The thought was a relief since he'd hated not being around to protect Izzy and Jace. But there was something else that made him want Jace near, but Alec wasn't sure what that meant. "I'm not gone and you're not going to lose me. I promise."