Page 79 of To the Chase

Was that magic?

Maybe not. But if I wanted to call it that, who was going to stop me?

“I might,” I answered.

“It is,” she said solemnly. “And when the unicorns died, the magic in their bodies turned their bones to pixie dust. It was really shimmery and pretty.”

“What happened to the dust?”

She tapped her temple, contemplating. “I guess it was probably used to make new unicorns, but when the big meteor came and exploded all the dinos, the sparkles got blown into space.”

“Did they turn into stars?”

She snickered like that was a very dumb suggestion. “Nooo. The stars are way older than unicorns, Uncle Sally.”

I couldn’t help being proud she knew that. I’d read her plenty of space books, though she usually preferred princess stories, and some of it had clearly stuck.

“That’s true. Do you have a theory where the dust went then?”

“It’s floating up there. Little unicorn pieces bouncing around the stars.” She wiggled her fingers in front of my face. “I bet they love it. Much better than living with the dinos.”

“I bet you’re right, Lace.”

Her theory had no basis in science, but I liked it anyway. I understood it. Like her unicorns, I’d lived the only life I knew—until I was forced out of it. And now I was right where I was meant to be.

Bouncing around with my little stars.

On my way to work, I received a text from Bea.

Bea:Still a little sludgy this morning.

I grinned hard and wide. It had already been a good morning, and this only made it better.

Me:Still?

Bea:Don’t be smug.

Me:Never. I just like knowing how long the effects of us being together last. For science.

Bea:Science is important. Undervalued really.

Me:I agree. How are you otherwise?

Bea:Good. I’m walking Benjamin and thinking of you.

And the day kept getting better and better. This woman…she communicated like she was designed for me. Up front. No games. She said what she meant and how she felt.

Me:Yeah? I like knowing that.

Bea:Well, I like you, and I wanted you to know that before you got to work. I was thinking you might have a tough day.

Me:I might, but you already made it better than it wouldhave been.

Bea:Then my work here is done ??

Me:You’re very good at your job. I’ll see you soon, Beatrice.

Bea:I hope so. Have a good day, Salvatore.