Page 36 of Treasure and Tarot

“She’s amazing. Seriously. So smart.”

“She is. And she’s brave too. I love how she’s never met a stranger.”

“She just makes me smile.” Iago turned to grin at him finally. “I never thought about kids, really.”

“And you are now?”

“Well, at least in an abstract way.”

“Someone come help me up,” Colton said, laughing. “And you can’t have that one. She’s got a dad.”

“She can always use adults that love her.” He walked right over and brought Colton a sturdy chair and his cane.

Colton beamed at him, then hauled his ass up off the floor.

“I totally want everyone to adore her, but Iago tends to tuck things in his pocket and walk away with them.”

“Hey! I am not a klepto.” Iago huffed, but his eyes were twinkling, so this clearly was an old joke.

“What he means,” Mason said, “is that Iago collects things. Weird old shit from ghost towns. People. Unitasker cooking utensils.”

Sebastian tilted his head, intrigued. “Like what?”

“I have an arepa maker. A crepe?—”

“Oh. I love arepas. Love. Them.” With pickled onions. Maybe some cotija cheese. Uhn.

“Me too! Fluffy and yummy with a crisp outside.”

“Are you guys talking my language?” Xander brought in a tray of sandwiches and baskets of fries.

“Food? Yes. Did you know Iago likes kitchen unitaskers?”

“What’s your weirdest one?” Xander asked.

“The Sushi Bazooka.”

Xander’s eyes went wide. “OMG! I love that! Isn’t it amazing, the way it just puts the sushi together for you?”

“Right? I tried for years to roll my own, and it just never worked.” Iago did a weird little dance. “I have ongiri molds too.”

“Oh, that’s actually so good,” Colton put in. “Crispy rice with stuff on top.”

“Mmhmm…” That would be delicious with some dumplings… “Xander, can we have dumplings soon?”

“Of course. I can do a whole deal tomorrow night.”

If Iago had a tail, it would be wagging. “Can I help? I love folding dumplings. Like in a deep way.”

Colton rolled his eyes. “He’ll be working for you instead of me soon, Xander.”

“If you’re willing, I’d love the company.” Xander beamed at Iago and held out one hand to shake.

Iago took it, and Sebastian saw his eyes widen. Huh. He glanced at Colton, who winked at him. Double huh.

Abby came traipsing back in with Xavi, and she skipped right to Mason to hold out her arms. “Dance.”

He kind of held his breath, because Mason was the quietest one, the one who was kind of gruff, but he grabbed Abby and stood, twirling her around. “Sing, girlfriend.”

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