Page 64 of Wishing for La Luna
“Maeven,” Luna says, pressing her lips.
“What?”
Luna turns her phone to face me.
I wave. “Hi, boss.”
“You’re with Luna.” I’m not sure if it’s a question or a statement. Her slacked jaw is almost comical.
“Been here since last night.”
The flush on her face is priceless. “Oh.” But in true Maeven fashion, she recovers fast. “At what time did you get there?”
“Is that mangú on his plate?” Esme’s voice booms in the background. “He’s living the J Cole song.Breakfast after sex is like a reward?—”
“He slept in Luna’s room, and she slept in my room,” her mom yells, stepping back into the room, now dressed in black slacks and a cream blouse.
“Yeah. It was all respectful,” I say. “So what the hell is happening?”
“Seems like our good friends, the Belmonts, are playing games. Supposedly, there’s a video of you taken in Adina’s living room.” Her gaze narrows. “Bethany can go play the lotto, but she can’t play me. Luna, take the phone to your room. Rio, come along. I was going to save this for later, but I won’t have people thinking you’re a cheater.”
Luna does as she says, and I follow. She turns the camera around to show her.
“Got it. Rio, when you’re exhausted, what position do you sleep in?”
“On my belly, arms down.”
“Take off your shirt and get into bed in that position. Luna, I want you to take an angled selfie at your desk, and I want you to get his arm and face. I don’t want Rio to be the focus. I want him to be in the background, discreetly but visible. We may have to move the desk. Wait, no. How about if you take one and get the mirror and have him reflected there?”
Luna angles the phone up. “It works.”
“Okay,” Maeven says. “I’m hanging up so you can take the photos and send them to me. Take a few photos. Don't jump on social media if you haven’t already today. I’ll call you back after examining the photos.”
“Lie down.” Luna waves me down. “I’m going to do a burst and maybe a little video.”
Before I do as she says, but, a little idea comes to me, and I grab her panties and put them right next to my face.
When she’s done, I get up and throw my shirt back on while Luna steps out of the room when her mom calls. I shove her underwear under the pillow as her mom comes knocking on the door.
“I’m leaving for work. But I wanted to give you something.” She’s staring at her hands, not directly at me.
Maybe she wants to tell me to slow down with Luna or stay away from her. Maybe she thinks I’m too much of an issue. “Okay.”
She takes my hand and places a chain with a medal in my palm. “This is Our Lady of Mercy. She will take care of you tonight. I’m going to be praying for you.”
A surge of my emotions rushes up my chest, clogging my throat. I barely manage to say, “Thank you.”
“I…I also wanted to ask if I candarte mi bendicionbefore I go.”
She wants to give me her blessing.
If she sucker punched me, it wouldn’t have doubled me over like this does. My face tingles, and my heart quickens. Because the only thing I want as much as I want Luna’s mom’s blessing…is her daughter.
“I nod.”
She hugs me, gives me her blessing, and is gone before I can catch my breath.
I look up at the ceiling. “Thank you,Mami. I know you did this.” And I crash onto the bed until Luna walks in.
