Page 69 of When the Angel Falls First

“Okay, then stick with the topic at hand. What’s the deal with the angel? Are you his Chosen?”

I bit my lip. “I don’t think such a thing is possible, Nana.”

She set her hands on her hips. “You think love is held back by any human sense of possibility?”

It didn’t feel right to expose everything Caleb had told me about angel-human relations. I knew that Nana only wanted to put me at ease, and that nothing would make her happier than knowing I was going to be okay. Given her brush with the supernatural already, it seemed best that I steer the conversation into safer territory. But there was something she could help with…

“Regardless of what I think, I know that he’s doing everything he can to get back into the heavens. And with only one more couple to match, he’s already got one foot out the door.”

“And where’s his other foot?”

I beckoned with a finger for Nana to come behind the counter, where I covertly pulled the journal out, just enough so that she could see it.

“It’s his?” she asked, wide-eyed.

I nodded.

“And I suppose he doesn’t know you have it?”

“I’ve had it for seven years. And he just told me yesterday that he needs it in order to go back to the Host.”

“Oh.” She bit her lip. “Then you’re in a predicament indeed. Keep the book and keep the man?—”

“Exactly.”

“—or give the book back andkeepthe man.”

“You see—wait, what?”

Nana crossed her arms the way she used to do when I was a girl and asked when the cookies would be finished baking. Her answer was always the same: when they’re done.

“Dear, no matter what, that book must return to him. If you keep it, you’ll never know if he’s staying for you or if he’s stuck on some divine tether. If you are his Chosen, then the heavens will find a way for you to be together.”

“And if I’m not?”

She caressed my cheek. “Then you have to let him go.”

Nana’s eyes held mine, a glimmer of tears on her lashes.

“Is that what happened to you, Nana?”

“Something like that.”

A fire alarm went off. Fire and books were the worst possible combination, swiftly followed by water and books, so I flew into action.

“Everyone out! Clear the shop! I’m going for the extinguisher!”

“Hold up!” a lady called out. “That’s just my phone. It’s the ringtone for my nephew.”

“Anita!” Nana shouted. “You nearly gave us all heart attacks!”

“He’s a firefighter.” Anita shrugged. “And I’m half deaf.”

“Sothat’swhy you never get the kick-ball-change in rhythm.” Nana shook her head dismissively.

“Look what he just found!” Anita held up the phone. “Strolling along the tidal end of Alki beach. It’s an orca! Poor thing is washed up on the rocks. He’s gone to alert the authorities.”

A beached orca… help not yet on the way…

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