There was enough of Anna in me to make me fearful, but this felt like a good place to stay for a day or two. Maybe it was the afternoon sun hitting the pale yellow walls in Luna’s living room, bathing them in golden highlights, and the sweet, spicy scent—cinnamon, brown sugar, curry—that floated in from the kitchen. Or the color of the winding stairs, the same shade of turquoise as her tote bag, that led to the second floor, or the battered red and white metal glider swing parked in the middle of her backyard, waiting to be swung in like some relic from the nineteenth century. Or simply Luna herself. But I was able to breathe. “You all freshen up, and I’ll put out some lunch,” Luna said as she disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Cade and me standing awkwardly together. I tried not to look at him, but couldn’t help myself; his face intrigued me. A square, lightly bearded chin gave it strength, and the lips could be sensual if he gave them half a chance, even though they were now locked in a grimace, tight and unyielding.
