Page 26 of True Hearts

“The moms went all out.” That’s what she’s taken to calling Mom and my aunts. “I never saw anything like this when I was with Montclair.”

“The moms know how to throw a party.” Flashes go off as a wall of society reporters snap photographs. “Wait until you get inside.” The Bartos Forum at the city’s public library has a 30-foot glass saucer dome, and the moms have lit it up so that it looks like we’re a hand’s width away from a galaxy of stars. The space accommodates only around five hundred, and while we arrived five minutes before the designated start time, it’s already packed.

The city is not big. Luna’s burning of Montclair’s gifts was all over social media. Also no one is turning down a summons from my mother, especially when word got out that Montclair was invited too.

I run my hand up Luna’s back in a supportive gesture, but she walks up the stairs like a goddess of the moon, smiling like she doesn’t care her face is going to be all over social media in a few minutes. Inside, her shoulders collapse, and she allows herself a moment to lean into me.

“I don’t ever want to do that again.”

“We will stay home every night.”

“Except for Wednesdays. I go to happy hour with Nat and Frankie, remember?”

“Yes. I can’t wait.” I may not have sounded as enthusiastic as I should only because I want Luna secured to me before her girlfriends have a chance to talk her out of my life.

“Nat approves,” Luna assures me as we walk toward the Forum.

“You sure about that? She seemed like she was reserving judgment the other day.”

“She texted me and said you were better than Michael.”

“That’s not a huge endorsement because I feel like slugs are better than Montclair, but I’ll take it anyway.”

“She likes you,” Luna insists. “And Frankie will, too.”

I accept Luna’s judgment on this mostly because my mom‘s coming to greet us.

“The guest of honor is here. You look darling, Luna.” She takes Luna’s hands and holds them out to get a better look. “I just love this dress on you. The lace makes you glow. Actually, I don’t think it’s the lace. I think it’s just you. You are glowing so beautifully. And look at the ring.” She lifts Luna‘s left hand higher so that the ring catches the light. “It looks gorgeous. When I went to the vault for Graham, I thought that we would give you the ten carat from his dad‘s mother, but he insisted on this one because he thought that it would suit you better, and I have to say now that I see it on your hand, he’s absolutely correct.”

“It’s breathtaking. I’m a little scared to wear it.”

“Nonsense.” Mom flaps her hand. “That’s what insurance is for. Only people aren’t replaceable. Not things. Now come inside with me so we can go to the auction table and you can bid on things.” She hands Luna five pink chips.

“Auction?”

“Yes, we are raising money for our scholarship fund. We try to send twenty kids to Academy. Are you familiar with it?”

“Not really.”

“It’s a school that I would recommend that you and Graham send your kids to. They have a one hundred percent placement post-graduation at the Ivys. Did Graham tell you that our auction has a little twist? We’ve asked people to donate things from their past. It’s Renew and Reborn.” Mom makes a small face. “It’s the best we could do under short notice. There’s an item here you might recognize.”

Mom leads her straight to a podium with a diamond ring on it. There’s a small label underneath that says “donated by Michael Montclair.” The devil himself is standing only a few feet away with his back turned to us.

“Yours is certainly an upgrade,” Mom whispers.

Luna’s eyes go wide. “You know that’s a fake, right?”

Mom gasps in fake surprise. “Gracious, is it?”

“She knows it is, Luna. Don’t worry.”

“The person who gave the donation assured me it was real.” Mom continues to pretend. “Good thing I have an appraiser here. Oh, Michael, come here, would you?”

Montclair’s head shoots up at the mention of his name. He hesitates, but he can’t really turn down my mom. It’s her party, and she’s not someone to disrespect. He walks over reluctantly and gives Luna and me a head nod.

“Mrs. Dassault, you called?”

“Yes, I was just explaining to Luna that you donated this lovely ring as part of the Renew and Reborn charity.”

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