Opal turned. Logan was standing at the teller’s counter with a free lollipop, the kind you were only supposed to get by making a deposit.Ugh. She’d been avoiding him as much as she could since the incident with Nico.
“Off you go!” her mother said. Shelovedthe whole Nantesfamily, because they kept so much money at the bank, lived in the best house on Overlook Row, and threw a swanky holiday party every year. Opal strode from her mother’s office and headed straight for the front door.
She had one foot on the sidewalk when Logan stuck his head outside. “Opal!” he called, flashing a tentative smile. She kept walking.
“Wait a sec.” Logan hurried to catch up. “Hey, why are you acting like a jerk?”
Opal spun, hot words ready. “I’mthe jerk? You made Nico fall into Still Cove!”
“Huh?” Logan squinted at her. “What are you talking about? I flew his stupid toy into the fog.”
Opal winced. She’d forgotten—Logan didn’t know about Nico’s fall, and Nicodefinitelywouldn’t want him to.
“Thatstupid toycost all his savings,” Opal shot back, hoping Logan wouldn’t catch her slip-up. She stormed off again, but Logan matched her pace.
“What do you care? Got a crush on him or something?” Logan’s jawline hardened, his voice low and mean. “He’s a total loser.”
“He is not.”
“He’s moving, anyway. Didn’t you hear? His dad’s getting transferred.”
Opal stopped. “What? Who told you that?”
They were standing in front of Brophy’s Grocery, with itscountry market vibe and hand-lettered displays. A giant CELEBRATE THE RADISH FESTIVAL banner filled the window.
“My father.” Logan couldn’t fight back a grin. “He’s probably arranging it.”
A trapdoor opened in Opal’s gut. “He can’t do that.”
“Oh, you’d be surprised.”
Logan’s back was to the store, but Opal could see people inside.Just what I need.Her mom would flip if she made a public scene.
Opal smiled wide and fake for their audience. “You really can be a total jerk, Logan. Goodbye.”
She walked away without looking back.
Nico pushed through the velvet curtain. “Next time you’re late, we’re leaving without you, Opal.” He’d ignored her completely until now, not saying a word as they paddled across Still Cove.
“Sorry,” Opal said. “My mom wanted to talk.”
“How’d you get here yesterday?” Emma’s tone was light, but Opal could tell she was dying to know.
“I used my teleporter,” Opal said breezily. She hid a smile as the others exchanged glances. They had their secrets. It was fair to have one of her own. “So, what’s on the agenda for today?”
Nico walked to the far corner of the showroom. “Emma,Tyler, and I are exploring the collection. You can do whatever you want.”
“I’m starting an inventory.” Tyler fished a pencil from the pocket of his jeans and aimed it at a leather-bound book. “A catalog of everything on the boat. Wanna help?”
Nico shot him an annoyed glance.
“Okay!” Opal agreed cheerfully, pretending not to notice Nico’s irritation.It’ll drive him nuts if me and Tyler start getting along. Plus, anything was better than visiting the pool again. Although … she kind of wanted to.
“Excellent.” Tyler rubbed his hands together like a cartoon villain. “Nico? Emma?”
“Fine,” Nico grunted, kneeling to examine a wire birdcage in the corner.
“Sure thing, Ty.” Emma cracked her knuckles. “For a while. But then the Darkdeep!”
