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“That's a crying shame,” I mused. “Carnivals were my favorite growing up.”
What would it be like to see her experience something like a carnival for the first time? Doing something with someone for the first time made everything feel more magical. I went back and forth in my head, even though I already knew what my decision would be.
“I have been craving a soft pretzel lately.”
Chapter Twelve
Noah
Tyson, Seline, and Harry were waiting at the carnival’s entrance, a girl on Harry’s back, her hair as dark as his and freckles as plenty. She gave me a big wave when I approached, signaling my arrival to everyone.
“Hi, Noah,” Marissa greeted as she patted her brother's shoulder so he’d let her down. “Did you get my drawings?”
“Hey.” I smiled at her. She was tall for an eleven-year-old. The rainbow wire-framed glasses she wore reminded me of a pair I had when I was younger.
“I did and they’re incredible,” I said honestly. She had a far better grasp of anatomy than I had at her age.
Marissa looked back at her brother with a smile, as if to ask, 'Did you hear that?'
He nodded, smiling back at her with the pride of a parent. I'd learned from Seline that their folks had died in a plane crash a few years back. He'd been taking care of her like a dad ever since, putting off school to move back home for her.
“I want to work for Harpy when I graduate,” she announced. “Work with you on Leisah.”
“Sounds like a plan if I’ve ever heard one,” I encouraged.
“I’m sure Sage would have something to say about that,” Seline joked.
“Is she coming tonight?” Marissa looked behind me, excitedly, as if Sage was not far behind.
Tyson shook his head. “She took a rain check.”
“What’s that?” Marissa frowned, confused.
“When people don’t like the invitation but want to be polite,” Seline said.
Harry chuckled and shook his head. “Kind of.”
“Sage told me she was coming,” I shared with slight hesitation. I hadn’t heard her wrong. It’d been clear as daylight.
“Oh, really?” Tyson crossed his arms over his chest, looking impressed. “You convinced her?”
“No.” I laughed a little. “I don’t think it’s possible to convince Sage to do something she doesn’t want to do.”
“And she wants to come to a team outing?” Seline asked, skepticism etched all over her face.
“She was craving a soft pretzel,” I said with a shrug.
Tyson, Seline, and Harry tried to exchange looks with each other, and I shifted awkwardly when Seline said, “Sure. I bet she’s in the mood for something soft.”
“Sips,” Tyson warned.
She shrugged. “What? We’re out of the office and have known one another forever. Let’s be real.”
“Sage!” Marissa’s squeal of excitement surprised us all as she ran over to meet our final addition.
My stomach did a nosedive when I got a look at Sage. She had on black jeans with a purple bodysuit underneath, a worn leather jacket on top. Her face was bare of any makeup, dark skin glowing all on its own.
Marissa practically launched herself into Sage’s arms, and Sage welcomed her with a laugh. My smile grew wide at the exchange. There was no sign of the solemn cloud that usually hung around Sage as she talked to Marissa. Even when she smiled at the office, it didn’t come close to the joy on her face while interacting with the kid. She nodded patiently as Marissa rambled about her day at school and all the art projects she’d been working on.
