Quilliyn looks like he doesn’t believe me, but he lets it go. Turning his attention back to Cielo, he asks, “Is the key somewhere safe?”
Cielo nods and answers in Eretharian.
Quilliyn gives him a slightly alarmed look, but it fades, and his shoulders and ears sag. “Alright. I will send you a text and we can arrange everything.”
Cielo nods and looks very pleased with himself. He turns to me and dips his head in for a kiss. I have a petty moment whereI hope that Zane is watching and is grossly uncomfortable, but I don’t let it linger.
I’m too happy for that.
We break apart, and I take his hand, pulling him out of the room, and we head down the hall. I want to ask what the arrangements are, but I’d rather not take the risk of doing it here.
Instead, we head toward the doors and are nearly out when I hear someone calling Cielo’s name.
We both freeze, but he turns with a smile as I turn with a scowl. Zane’s jogging over, his curls flying free, juice bar hat in his hand. He gives me a look, then smiles at Cielo.
“Hey, man. Sorry to stop you. I just ah…I wanted to check on the possum.”
“Niaus,” Cielo says happily.
Zane nods. “She’s doing okay?”
“Gooood. Heelllthy,” Cielo tells him.
Zane glances at me again, then says, “Maybe I can come over and see her?”
“No,” I say, just as Cielo says, “Yes!”
He shoots me a concerned look and then in my head, asks,“I do not understand. Zane is a friend. He rescued Niaus with me.”
I know this. I do. But something’s rubbing me the wrong way. Maybe it’s the lack of brain fog, or the fact that I got a great night’s sleep, but something isn’t sitting right, and I don’t know why. Everest seems to think he’s a good guy, and Quilliyn says he’s someone worth having patience for.
So why can’t I let this go?
I feel like I’m gaslighting myself.
I have no real argument—none based on anything other than a feeling anyway—so I sigh and turn my attention back to Zane. “Fine. Come over. I’ll make pasta.”
“You don’t have to cook for me,” Zane starts, but I cut him off.
“My mother will have my head if I don’t. Anyway, my brother and my cousin and her wife will probably be over, too.”
Zane’s brow furrows. “Luca?” He says his name, but also uses the name sign Luca gives to people he doesn’t know well.
I forgot they’d met. And that Zane knows some ASL. “Yeah. Maybe next week?—”
“Tonight?” Zane asks.
Cielo gives a soft trill and shakes his head. “Busssssy.” It sounds like bussy, and I almost burst into laughter. Even Zane blushes.
“We’re busy the rest of this week,” I clarify. Not with my bussy, probably, which is a shame. “How about Sunday?”
Zane looks like he wants to argue, but eventually he nods. “Sounds good. See you.” He offers Cielo a fist to bump, and Cielo does. It’s awkward and adorable, and I love him even more for that.
Shit, I really do love him.
I need to tell him. It’s not something I can hide anymore. We’ve been through too much together.
When Zane walks away, I take Cielo’s hand again and tug him outside. Neither one of us speaks until we’re in the car, but instead of pulling out onto the road, I turn toward him.
