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Chapter Fifty-One

LUNA

The clock and the cameo in a gold box—the two things Carmine gave me to make me happy—end up on my bedspread with some of the clothes as I dig through the Nike bag for clean underwear.

Alex comes in with two pillows. “Hard or soft?”

“Uh, I never really gave it much thought?”

“Both then.” When they toss the pillows on the bed, the gold box catches their attention as if it’s something they recognize, but are too polite to claim.

“It’s a cameo.” I hand over the box. “You can open it if you want.”

“Oh.” There’s a soft gasp over the open lid. “This is from Baia.” They look up at me. “My kind are from there. It’s underwater now. Everything was lost.” The lid snaps closed. “This is a rare and beautiful thing.”

“Carmine gave it to me.”

A little sound escapes their throat. It’s confirmation, agreement, sarcasm, a thousand comments in one breath. The many colors of sadness catch me off guard.

“You can have it,” I say.

“Excuse me?”

“It doesn’t go with anything I have. It would look nicer on you. And also, it’s got some happiness magic in it that doesn’t work on me. So, wear with care.”

They close their eyes and press their lips between their teeth, taking a deep inhale, then a slow exhale—the kind of breath you’re supposed to do in yoga class to calm your anxiety—and every emotional color goes warm and shimmery. “I cannot refuse such a gift.”

“Good. I guess it’s—what do you call it—a returned artifact? I can put it on you if you want?”

“No.” Holding the box against their chest, they back up toward the door. “Thank you. I will return your kindness.”

“Nah, I owe you for the burger.”

They nod and leave. Now, I have one less thing to fit into the bag. I hope Carmine’s not mad, but he didn’t order me not to give away the cameo.

“Stay mad,” I mutter and zip up.