What a thing to think while Daniela was looking right at us, though.
“Doing okay?” I whispered, stepping a little closer—I made a production of showing her something on my phone, just so it would look casual to everyone else. “I mean, out with this many people…”
“I know. I normally hit my limit at one human being. A wonder I’m not stroking out right now.”
“That’s not what Imean,” I laughed, swatting her arm. A low laugh bubbled up in her throat, that little smirk on her face tugging at one corner of her lips, and I was so obsessed with it. With everything about her.
“I’m doing all right,” she said. “More worried about Cat than I am about myself. And mostly about Linda and Charlie.”
“Mm…” I almost asked about it—what Linda had said about Jade criticizing their relationship—but luckily I was saved from my own big mouth by Abby calling down after us.
“You two coming up, or do we need to send a rescue party?”
I flashed a smile at Jade. “Well, let me know if you need me to make a scene and take you or Cat to go look at a flower or something.”
She laughed. “Saving the day. My little flower-power superhero. Suits you.”
I really was in deep, because I spent approximately the entire rest of the hike bubbly and floaty over her calling mehers.
It was a beautiful hike, where we got up to the higher points of the ridge and set up at a vantage point just as the sun was getting low on the horizon, and the mountains opened up below us, a sweeping vista rich with the flush of trees in full bloom. The wind this high up had a cold edge to it, but I couldn’t peel myself away from the viewpoint anyway, even as the others were setting up the gear behind us—not a full camp, but a single tent, a bit of seating and food, a big blanket and a portable stove that of course Daniela was all over. I was standing there still entranced by the view, taking it all in, when I felt hands on my back.
“Give me a million dollars or I push you to your death,” Cat’s voice said. I waved over my shoulder, signinghi, Cat,and she came around to lean against a tree. “Skye was trying to make me help her set up a warding circle or something, so I had to get away. She was using signsIdon’t know. I guess I’m flattered she’s making efforts to include me, but I wish she’d include me in something else.”
“Oh, so you’re okay with evil spirits invading,” I said. Didn’t know how to signevil spirits,but I was getting fast at fingerspelling by now. She groaned.
“Oh, god, they’ve gotten to you too now.”
“Come to think of it, your chakras are looking pretty misaligned.”
“Yeah, for sure. I leaned too hard on them one day andpop,knocked it out of alignment so hard it blew my eardrums out. Been deaf ever since.”
“Oh, so that’s what happened.”
She grinned, lowering her voice. “So, you and Jade are cute.”
“What—we’re not cute.” My face burned. “I mean, she’s cute. I mean… not like that. I mean, she is cute like that, but I’m…” I was crashing out. I scratched my head. “It’s not like that.”
Her smile spread wider. “I caught, like, none of that, but I can assume I know what it was.”
“No—you can assume nothing.” I hunched my shoulders, getting back to signing properly. “We’re not… together or anything.”
“She seemed happy after I left you two together for the evening.”
“Which I can’t believe you did.” I hunched my shoulders, my face hot. “I thought we were trying to set up Jade and Daniela!”
She shrugged, her expression turning more serious. “I don’t think Jade likes Daniela that way anymore.”
“Ugh…” I slumped. “Is it because of me?” I said, switching to just signing. She laughed lightly.
“No, I think it’s because they had a falling out and now, even though they’re friends again, it’s hard to overcome that kind of thing emotionally. But Jade being highkey obsessed with you probably contributes too.”
“It’s not… a good idea. I mean, it wouldn’t be even if wedidfeel that way about each other, which, like…” I let out an exasperated sigh. I couldn’t tell Cat about Jade’s plans to leave, not if Jade hadn’t told her herself. And I didn’t agree with her decision not to, but I could see why she made it. I knew them well enough now to know Cat would move hell and high water to convince her to stay. Was it so bad if I wanted her to? “I’m not planning to stay in Vermont.”
“Plan schman.”
“What does that even mean?”
“Daniela told me you were considering places in Vermont.”
