Page 33 of When the Angel Falls First

“I’ll berightback.”

“I mean, it might taketwominutes,” Lena mused as she dragged her away. Josie cast me a last, worried look, but her cousin was relentless, and in a few seconds, she was swallowed up by the crowd of partygoers.

I was still following her signature down the hill when Nana Geraldine appeared back at my side, her face serious.

“You and I need to talk. Come with me.” She spun on herheel and marched toward the house with the stately vigor of a war general. Damn respectable for a hundred years old.

Once we were inside, she pulled me into a quiet alcove—or was it a laundry room?

“Don’t go snooping in here. I don’t need a handsome young thing like you seeing my dowdy old unmentionables!” she chided but didn’t look in the least shy about herunmentionables.

I definitely stopped looking around, though.There were things I couldn’t unsee.

“Now, I’ve asked you here because I sense there’s somethingmoreabout you. Am I right?”

I scuffed my palm over the back of my neck, unsure what to say. She was a hundred and lively, but if I gave her too much of a shock… Better to stick to the safe side.

“Well, I?—”

“Ah-ha! I can smell a lie brewing. I’ve lived a long time, and you’re not my first run-in with the paranormal, boy, so don’t try it.” She leveled a pointed gaze down her nose at me, which was incredible because I was atleasta foot taller than her.

“The only thing that matters to me is this—does Josie know what you are?”

“Yes, she does.”

She nodded her approval at my answer.

“And are you serious about my great-granddaughter? Or is this a passing fling? She’s been hurt before, and I don’t care what kind of myth in ascrumptiouspackage you are, if you plan to hurt her, I’ll toss you out on your ear, God as my witness.”

Somehow, I doubted even God would mess with Nana Geraldine. Especially not if she calledhimscrumptious. I felt dirty.

“I have no intentions of hurting her, ma’am.” I made thatmistake once already, and I swore to myself that I wouldn’t repeat it. Even if I was going to be waking up in twisted sheets, thinking about that kiss and how her lips tasted every night for the next month.

“Excellent. She could use somebody like you. I think you’ll be good for her.” She patted me lightly on the chest, as if I were a puppy or a kitten and not an angel with the power to flatten everything within a hundred-yard radius with a snap.

But how could I explain to Nana that this was all just an agreement, a deal Josie and I made since we couldn’t be what we were before?

“Nana! Are you in here? It’s time to cut the cake.”

“Duty calls, young man.” She paused, one foot through the arched doorway. “You do right by my great-granddaughter, or me and the dancercise posse will swoop down into that big city and show you what for.”

“Yes, ma’am. Oh, wait! I have something for you.”

I reached into my jacket pocket and held out the bow-adorned package. It was a set of watercolor paints, made by a master artist in Italy. I’d come up with the idea while working on Josie’s gift, though I hadn’t found the right moment to give it to her yet. The delicate first edition warmed my breast pocket, safe and sound until I could slip it into Josie’s hands.

“Oh, these look lovely. Won’t you blow on them?” It was an odd request but easy enough for me to fulfill. “Thank you, dear. I always did appreciate a bit of heavenly good luck.” She patted me again with a twinkle in her eyes and then zipped off with surprising speed for someone her age.

“Caleb? What are you doing in my nana’s laundry room?” Josie peeked her head through the door, looking at me quizzically.

“Your nana wanted a private chat. She sensed that something was up with that kiss.”

“Ah. And I suspect she saw your”—she waved her hand up in a spiral—”magical fix-er-oo on the champagne glasses. She’s sharp, and she wouldn’t let something like that just go by without a question.”

“Does it make you uncomfortable when I…fix-er-oothings? Or rather, your family members?” I tried hard not to laugh at the term, but I was so relieved that she seemed to be coming to grips with who I was and what I could do, I didn’t dare do anything to jeopardize it.

“I’m getting used to it. It still knocks me back a step because it’s not something you see every day. But… look, Caleb, I’ve had time to get used to the idea that you’re not like the rest of us. I think so long as I know that you only use your powers tohelp… I’m okay with it. I trust you.” She furrowed her brow and looked away briefly, a sense of guilt rolling across her aura for reasons I couldn’t figure out.

I trust you.The words were sweet poison, yet I drank them down just the same, relishing the rush they gave me.

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