“You saw Cherry perform?”
“I did! I remember her outfit, the most amazing black corset with roses...”
“You saw Cherry perform,” I repeated, completely astounded. “She could have been pregnant with Daniel.”
She was silent. I looked up to see glossy eyes. “What’s the matter?” I asked.
Shaking her head quickly, she said, “I’m not sad. I was just thinking about when your mom was pregnant with you, and now my eye makeup is going to smear, so I’m going to stop being nostalgic and focus on what matters here. Because I think this is a sign. Destiny!”
“Destiny hates me, and so does Cherry.”
“You said she was an overprotective mama bear. All you need to do is convince her that you’re not a threat. Calm the bear down.”
“How?”
“No idea, but you’re the one who loves solving mysteries, Veronica Mars.” She gave me a wink with gold-tipped eyelashes before shoving the flyer into my hand. “Here. Take it. It’s yours now, and you can do whatever you want with it. All I know is when destiny calls, you answer. Right now I’m answering my own call.”
“With Leon?” I said, making a face.
She kissed the top of my head. “We’ll see. It’s only a boat ride.”
Right. I didn’t believe that for one second. But she told me when to expect her back and promised—again—that we’d talk more later. And as I stood on the sidewalk, clutching the flyer she’d given me, Leon helped her into his SUV. Then he turned to me, hesitated, and then hugged me.
Hugged.
Me.
I froze, all my muscles stony, not knowing what to do. Then he pulled back to look at my face, holding my arms, while he said in a low voice, “We got off on the wrong foot today, but I want you to know that nothing will change. I get that Mona is practically a mother to you, and I wouldn’t do anything to take her away from you, okay? So don’t be worried. It’s all going to be fine.”
He sounded serious, and I was so discombobulated, all I could do was stare at him when he released me. Then he was jogging to his SUV and getting behind the wheel. Aunt Mona waved at me from her window as they pulled away from the curb and disappeared into traffic.
Nothing will change? What was happening? Did that mean they were officially a couple again? And if nothing was changing, then why was my stomach in knots?
My phone buzzed. I pulled it out and found a series of texts:
Daniel: I’m so so so so sorry.
Daniel: R u ok? Did you make it to the ferry? I went after you in my car, but u weren’t at bus stop. R u home yet?
Daniel: Even if u r upset, lmk u r ok.
Me: I’m home.
Daniel: PRAISE ELVIS. R u ok?
Me: Physically, yes. Mentally, I’m sorry I left.
Daniel: Really? Bc I’m devastated u left.
Me: Yeah?
Daniel: Yeah. And I’m just so sorry it happened. Mortified. Please don’t hate me.
Me: I don’t. At all. Zero hate.
Daniel: Can’t tell you how happy I am to hear that.
Daniel: Last night was the best sleep I’ve had. Ever.
