“Samson’s a really good crafter. He can make almost anything. I asked him after you spoke about it; it seemed like something that could cheer you up.” It was an explanation, but onlypart.
“Okay, but how did youknow?”
Takakoshrugged.
“Did you go to my house?” There was only one way he could’ve found the exact details of themug.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Members of the Society don’t leave unless they’re on a wish.” Takako turned, starting for the door across the hall that had her name written in both English andHiragana.
“Wait—”
The other woman paused, arching her eyebrows. She’d said that it was “to cheer her up,” but Jo had other suspicions. It felt almost like permission. Permission to bend the rules sometimes, if it meant helpingthemselves.
“Are you mad at me?” Jo dared awhisper.
“Forwhat?”
“For what I did and how it affected thewish?”
Takako chewed over her answer for an agonizing amount of time. “You have made things verydifficult.”
Jo’s heart sank. The woman certainly didn’t mincewords
“But I think we can overcome this.” Takako smiled tiredly. “I wouldn’t worry toomuch.”
The door closed before Jo had a chance to ask anythingelse.
Jo leaned on her own door frame, still clutching the mug. She’d make this right. She hadto.
Chapter 23
Redemption Flavored Coffee
JO PAUSEDAT the entrance to the common area the next morning, hovering awkwardly. Most of the group was already there. Wayne sat at the bar, a newspaper—proof of magic, because such things hadn’t existed fordecades—folded over his knee. Takako stood not far from him, scooping rice from a cooker into a variety of smallbowls.
“That looks good.” Jo eased herself by Takako and braved a smile. To her relief, it was returned, and whatever lines Jo had crossed by helping Yuusuke were already on the way to being set right oncemore.
“You’ll get to enjoy it soon.” Nico’s voice piped up suddenly from the far end of the kitchen, the human embodiment of the bright and cloudless sky that stretched over them this morning. “It’s Takako’s turn to make breakfast for thegroup.”
It would seem that all traces of yesterday’s disappointment that Jo had watched mar his kind face were gone—for now, anyway. Jo swallowed hard, remembering his painting, his confidence in her, telling about his wish and his Julia. Over time, she’d prove to him (and everyone) that their kindness wasn’t misplaced. But for now, she was content watching him practically skip toward the espressomachine.
“Does everyone take turns cooking?” sheasked.
“Samson does most of the cooking actually. We just offer him some respite occasionally,” Nicoclarified.
“Okay, cool,” Jo nodded. “Because I can literally burn boiled water, so you might not want me near astove.”
“Luckily, boiling water is the only thing that matters, because with it you can make coffee.” Nico measured out beans into the grinder with the precision of achemist.
“Can I get in on that?” Jo perked up at the already rich smell of a dark roast that filled the air. That, mixed with the clean scent of rice and whatever meat Takako had working in the oven, left Jo’s mouth watering. She wasn’t actually hungry (which was supposedly normal now), but boy was she ready to eat away herstress.
“Only if I can get in on that, too.” Wayne poked his head up. On catching her eye, he gave a small wink and said, “I meant the coffee,dollface.”
“Obviously, dirty old man.” Jo rolled her eyes. She was torn between wanting to play along, wanting to keep the quiet peace that the morning already held, and wanting to shake him until he rattled off all the details of speaking withEslar.
Wayne gasped, over-dramatic and clearly not as offended as he pretended to be despite how he raised his free hand to his forehead. “I’m a right lounge lizard, I’ll have youknow!”
“A hundred and fifty-year-old lounge lizard. . . Whatever that means.” Jo shook her head and crossed over to Nico, coffee mug already outstretched. “Please?” Coffee would soothe her restlessnerves.
