Oh shit. . .
Rin leaned forward to grab something else and his long braid swung over his shoulder and hung there.
Deja's eyes dropped to it.
And even I had to admit the braid wasimmaculate.Whoever maintained it knew what they were doing. The plait was tightand uniform from root to tip, the hair glossy and black as ink, and the whole thing was thick enough that Deja's hand wouldn't have been able to close around it.
Her fingers twitched and she dropped her hand and looked away.
Rin straightened up.
The braid swung back behind him.
Once everything was in her kits, Rin snapped his fingers.
The men rushed over and picked up all the bags.
"Alright. Hold up." She held out her hands. "I'm taking my bags back. I brought them in here and—"
The men walked out with her stuff like she hadn't spoken. Like she was a television someone had muted.
Deja's hand was still extended toward a door that was already closed. She held the pose for a solid three seconds — arm out, fingers spread, mouth half open — like a woman waiting for the universe to apologize.
It did not.
She dropped her hand and turned to me. “This island is absolutely crazy.”
“It is.” I widened my eyes. “I apologize.”
“Girl, it’s all good.” She checked her watch. “Anyway. I’m glad you like your hair. Come on over here and give me a hug goodbye. We leave in the morning.”
Kaoru snorted.
Yoichi chuckled.
I looked at the both of them. “Excuse me? What’s so funny?”
Yoichi cleared his throat. “Nothing. Sorry. I was looking at the movie.”
“Yeah.” Kaoru bobbed his head. “This movie is so funny.”
Deja and I glanced at the screen.
A man was pushing a little girl in a hospital chair as she blew a dandelion and the petals drifted through the air.
“Yeah. So funny.” I rolled my eyes and hugged Deja. “Have a safe trip back to New York and let me know when you get there.”
“I sure will.”
“Oh. I have to pay you. Let me—”
“Girl, they gave me a briefcase of money. Did you forget? You won’t have to pay for a few years now.”
“Well. . .good. I’m glad you’re taken care of.” I chuckled and looked at Kaoru. “Can you walk Deja back for me?”
Rin watched Deja and remained silent.
Of course I was trying to cock block to win that bet.
