Page 88 (1/2)

Jay and Gregory met us in the food court I nibbled on a soft pretzel while the others had pizza Jay and Veronica were flirting soaway our trash when Jay lifted the bill of his ball cap to peer across the food court

"I’ve seen that dude before," he said "Where do I know him from?"

"Who? Where?" Veronica asked Jay pointed hi people there was a lonerown into a poofy, short Afro

"It’s Kopano," I whispered, heart in my throat

"You know hiht Kope couldn’t be mistaken for a boy He must have been nineteen or twenty, just a few years older than us, but he was so serious Manly

What was he doing here?

"I’uys back here in half an hour"

I stopped a few feet from Kopano, hands clasped behind h as his eyes heldis well I hope I have not frightened you" His gentle tone never faltered, and I wondered whether he’d ever raised his voice How deep was his hidden wrath, and ould it take to unleash it? The thought prickled the back of my neck

I tilted my head toward the corridor of shops "Wanna ith ether into the strearound noise as I concentrated on hi he would explain why he’d coh se better"

He nodded down at the polished floor in front of us

"How about you?" I asked

Keeping his eyes straight down, he answered, "I have thought of you often since the suh led I had no idea how to respond

We came to an open area where Santa’s shop had resided a few days prior It was now naked in its ee around it, where we sat together Kopano stared down at the water, full of copper and silver coins on the bottom from years’ worth of wishes

"The twins arrive tomorrow for a visit," he explained "They fly into Atlanta, and Marna requestedhe hadn’t co me My initial reaction was relief that I wouldn’t have to deal with a complicated situation But disappointment followed on its heels It wasn’t fair to feel let down, since Kaidan still ruled my heart, but I did nonetheless Maybe because I knew I could never be with Kai

"I arrived early, hoping to see you," he continued "I went to your home, but your mother told me you were here"

"I’m surprised she didn’t call me" I pulled out uess it helps when I turn it on"