Chapter Five

Stillwell Center Tuesday

L una could barely pull herself away from the keepsakes in her former bedroom dresser, but Ellie needed her help. A local college group had planned to have an awards ceremony and formal dance at a nearby hotel, but the ballroom was flooded due to a water pipe fiasco, and the only place that could accommodate one hundred people on such short notice was the atrium at the center. It was all-hands-on-deck. They had two days to work a miracle.

Luna ran up the stairs to Ellie's office, with Wylie galloping behind. Ziggy and Marley were lounging on their plush dog beds when Wylie bounded in and joined them. Luna and Ellie sat across from each other and began going over the details.

In addition to their food kiosk at the center, The Blonde Shallot specialized in catering and was able to create a simple menu—the guests were teenagers whose palates were less than demanding. The Cheese Cave could provide charcuterie to be placed on the high-top tables, and The Flakey Tart was now responsible for one hundred tortes. Since monitoring everyone's drinking age would be impossible, Victor Deci from The Wine Cellar contacted his distributor and ordered several cases of nonalcoholic beverages, including Mockaritas in place of Margaritas, Mockapolitans in place of Cosmopolitans, a pseudo sparkling rosé, and fake beer. Nathan would keep a close eye on the partygoers to be sure there weren't any flasks or other surreptitious means of smuggling in booze. No one was leaving the center inebriated.

Suki Kyoto, owner of Between the Folds, offered to hang her origami work among the trees in the atrium to give it a festive vibe. Devon Scott from Blowin' in the Wind agreed to arrange several of his wind chimes in the garden area. Alex volunteered to wrap twinkling lights in the trees inside and out. Everyone was determined to turn the teenagers' catastrophe into a night to remember.

Luna was busy making arrangements for the band. They were already booked for the gig; now she just had to figure out where to put them. She and Ellie went over the plans. Food and beverages would be served in the atrium, and the band would be on a riser in the garden area, where the patio could serve as the dance floor.

Ellie went down the checklist. "Looks like we have everything covered."

"What about valet parking?"

"Good idea." Ellie phoned Sunset Valet and booked them for the evening. "I have them under contract, and we haven't used our maximum dates this month," she explained once she was off the phone.

"Were the students able to get their deposit back from the original location?" Luna asked.

"Not without a fight." Ellie sighed. "The venue has insurance. They can recoup what they'll lose. There's no reason they should withhold any of the money."

"True." Luna nodded.

"If it comes down to a legal battle, I am sure George will get their refund after one phone call," Ellie scoffed.

Luna laughed lightly. "He is such a mild-mannered, eloquent gentleman. It's hard to imagine him being intimidating."

"You should see him in court." Ellie gave her a devilish smile. "He can cut you into shreds, and you'd never know you were bleeding to death."

"Now that's kinda gruesome, Ellie." Luna wrinkled her nose.

"Sorry, but lawyers must be surgeons in the courtroom. Cut away the B.S. and get to the truth."

"That's a much better description!" Luna laughed.

"So have you found anything interesting in your dresser?"

"A bunch of stuff that I can barely remember collecting. Isn't it funny how everything is of the utmost importance until you look back on it and wonder why you even worried about it? Or even remember it?"

"Especially when you are a teenager."

"You're right about that. A pimple could mean the end of the world!" Luna laughed out loud. "Well, I'm glad we're able to help these kids with their soiree." She chuckled again. "Kids. It wasn't that long ago that I was nineteen." She halted. "Whoa. Wait. That was almost half my lifetime ago. Yikes! I guess I can officially call them kids."

Ellie was smiling. "Honey, you are a kid compared to me."

"Oh geez, Ellie. I didn't mean anything by that." Luna thought she had shoved her size-seven foot in her mouth.

"I know you didn't."

"I don't think of you as being older than me. Just more mature."

"It's okay, Luna. I understand where you're coming from. I think even though we're from different generations, we were raised with the same values. The same ethics. I think anyone under twenty-five struggles to find their own compass."

"Too much social media!" they said in unison.

As they began to gather the paperwork that was strewn all over Ellie's desk, Ellie brought up a new subject. "Luna, I've been thinking about adding an indigenous display to the center for Christmas. There are a few Lumbee artists who make beautiful ornaments from pinecones."

Luna stopped in her tracks. "That is an excellent idea. I know there's been a lot of controversy as to whether or not they are a real tribe."

"I've been reading up on it. It's because they are descendants of Sioux, Iroquois, and Algonquins. Many sought refuge from the fighting and colonization and retreated to the swamps along the Lumbee River for protection. As a result, there were intertribal marriages among the different groups. In 1885, the state of North Carolina recognized them, but it took another seventy-plus years for the federal government to acknowledge them with the Lumbee Act. Unfortunately, they do not receive the full benefits of federal recognition as other tribes do."

"Well, that stinks," Luna said. "Can't they open a casino?"

"That's part of the problem. The Cherokee have lobbied against them for fear it would threaten their gaming business."

Luna scrunched up her nose. "Wow. There's politics inside of politics."

"You are correct, my dear," Ellie replied. "That's why I want to showcase some of their art. Give them a little visibility. They'll get some press, and maybe it will help them with their cause to get full recognition. Nothing like embarrassing politicians in the press."

Luna laughed. "Is that even possible? Politicians, embarrassed? They have no shame."

Ellie chuckled. "Let's not get too cynical, dear. It doesn't align with your aura." She gave Luna a wink.

"Ha. You're right. I have to stop watching the news." Luna looked over at the three dogs, casually lying across each other's legs, Wylie's head on Ziggy's stomach. "Why can't we get along like them?" She smiled at the happy dogpile.

"And that is why I prefer to associate with few people but many dogs."

At the word dogs , all three raised their heads.

"Somebody want to go out and play?" Ellie leaned over and spoke to them. All at once, the three bounced to their paws and wagged their tails in a drumbeat rhythm.

"I'll take them down," Luna offered. "Come on, you guys." The dogs were already at the top of the stairs before Luna had left the office. The three canines were waiting at the large sliding patio doors long before Luna could catch up with them. On Monday and Tuesday, when the center was closed, the automatic door opener was not engaged. A human had to hit the button. The dogs were pacing, and Wylie gave a soft woof, urging Luna to move faster.

"I am going to have to teach you guys how to do this," Luna said, as she quickly pushed the big red button twice. The doors moved slightly, then closed. "See? This is how it's done!" She repeated the movement. The dogs were giving her the stink eye. "Oh, come on, you guys! You're smart. One of you should be able to do this." She did it one more time. "No? Well, fine." She hit the button, but this time, she let the door stay open. She swore she heard one of the dogs fart at her on their way out.

Luna went into Cullen's showroom and walked to the workshop in the back. Her dresser remained by the far wall, untouched since the day it had arrived.

"You plan on going through all of this any time soon?" Cullen asked as he rewired a midcentury ceiling fixture.

"I should probably pack everything up and take it home, but being around the dresser while I'm going through my stuff gives it that extra energy." Luna wasn't talking about cereal, or caffeine-laden beverages. She was referring to the vibration of the piece itself. "Everything is made of energy, you know," she reminded Cullen for the zillionth time.

"Did you hear me give you an argument?" Cullen said as he carefully replaced the globe.

"No. Just a friendly reminder." She chuckled. "Getting excited about your date?"

The question threw him. All day, he had been thinking about arranging a special date with Chi-Chi. It was time they had that "grown-up" conversation. He wanted it to be romantic and private. He was toying with the idea of preparing dinner for her. He thought about contacting her brother Abeo and getting a Nigerian recipe from him. Then he worried he would do a terrible job, and it would turn out inedible. But if they went to a restaurant, it wouldn't be private. Then there was the insecurity and fear that she might not feel the same way he did. Who would be more embarrassed?

He stopped abruptly. "What date?" He knew Luna was psychic, but could she be that good?

"Oh, do I sense something?" Luna raised her eyebrows.

Yes. She was that good .

Cullen immediately became defensive. "What are you talking about?"

Luna placed her hands on her hips and cocked her head. She didn't have to say a word. She knew she had him. She took a step back, pursed her lips, and began to tap her foot.

Cullen tightened the screws on the globe while Luna tightened the screws on him. "Okay. Okay." He wrapped the fixture in protective Tyvek and placed it in an equally protective box lined with sheets of foam. He turned, leaned against the workbench, crossed his ankles, and mirrored her folded arms.

Luna pointed a finger at him. "Crossed ankles. Folded arms. Up against the bench. Hmm. Interesting. You are hiding something, and your back is against the wall."

"Let's not overstate the obvious. My back is against something." Cullen's voice was serious.

Luna could feel his anxiety. "What's going on? Everything okay?"

He took a deep breath. "I'm in love with Chi-Chi." Luna resisted the temptation to say no kidding , but she knew this was huge for Cullen. Mr. Buttoned-up was letting his emotional guard down.

"Cullen, I think it's wonderful." She walked over to him and gave him a big hug. "So what's wrong?"

"I haven't told her yet."

Luna pulled away, stared him in the face, and slowly repeated what she had just heard. "You haven't told her yet." It wasn't a question. She'd thought he would have told Chi-Chi by now. Maybe not tell his sister, but not tell Chi-Chi? Luna was stunned. Her brother wasn't all touchy-feely, but given his love for Chi-Chi, that they had been dating for over two years, Luna had assumed they would have verbalized their feelings for each other.

"Huh. Is there any particular reason?" Luna was sincerely perplexed.

Cullen looked down at the floor. "I guess I'm afraid of rejection."

Luna knew now was not the time to tease her brother. "Oh, Cullen, Chi-Chi adores you."

"But does she love me?" He looked up.

"It would appear she does, but as far as expressing emotions, neither of you are very good at it. I mean, you guys laugh, get angry, and all that. But verbalizing something deep? Ha. Chi-Chi maintains her dignity, and you . . . well, you are even more close-mouthed. Unless you're annoyed at me." She put her hand on his arm. "Tell her, Cul. Time—it keeps ticking. Make the most of it by letting everything flow. And I don't mean by being indifferent. I mean let your feelings flow with your words. If she feels the same, then you can dismiss all the fear you're carrying right now. If she doesn't, then you know the answer, and you can carry on. Plus, you owe it to her. Your honesty."

Once, when they were kids, a branch snapped and caught Cullen in the face. It was the only other time she'd ever seen a tear in his eye. Except for now. She gave him a big hug. "Now go do it, or I'll start calling you ‘Sissy Pants.'"

He dabbed his single tear with his knuckle and then let out a big huff. "Okay, so here's my question. Should I cook dinner for her?"

"Well, wait. Are you planning on proposing?" Luna asked.

"No! I mean, not yet. I haven't gotten past the ‘I love you' thing. Baby steps, baby sister."

"If you make it too romantic, she may think it's a proposal."

Cullen nodded. "Huh." His dilemma had now worsened.

"When were you planning on doing this?"

"Friday. I figure if it doesn't go well, I can drown my sorrows with Chris on Saturday."

"But the four of us are supposed to get together after the car show."

"Right. Well, if it doesn't go well, I don't think Chi-Chi will want to get together, do you?"

"What about Sunday brunch? Or a picnic?"

"I'd have to close the showroom, and Chi-Chi would have to get someone to run her shop."

"I could keep an eye out on the showroom. I'm sure Chi-Chi could get one of the pages to mind her store."

"Won't it seem strange if I ask her to take a day off? You know how she is about that."

"True. Okay, so what about Sunday dinner? After the center closes?"

Cullen finally smiled and kissed Luna on the top of her head for the second time that day. "You're a genius."

Luna touched her head again. "Dinner is not genius, but if you think so, then yes, I am brilliant."

"Don't push it, missy." He walked into the large storage closet where he kept shipping materials and then reappeared with a large brown box. "Here. Get busy."

Luna plucked the box from his hands and began to open the drawers of her dresser. She giggled at the memorabilia again. "The Backstreet Boys. They're back!" She giggled again. "In a Downy Fresh commercial."

"You can probably sell that CD on eBay," Cullen joked.

Luna clutched it to her chest. "Never!" She smiled as she began to place the books and other items into the brown box. "Oh, look at this!" She waved a Yankees' World Series Championship baseball cap at her brother. "Now this is something I would never sell."

"You are such a goofball," Cullen teased. "Yes, I know. You won it in a bet. You predicted the Yankees would win, and I said it was going to be the Mets." He grunted. "Like either of us really cared."

"It was the fun of winning bets with you." Luna grinned.

"Yeah. Tons of fun." He looked at her. "I think you have an unfair competitive advantage."

"What do you mean?" She looked up from the souvenirs of her past.

He made little circles next to his temple with his forefinger.

She slapped him on the leg. "Ha, ha. ‘Kooky' is not a synonym for crazy."

"Well, you're half right," he teased her again.

"So, Mr. Romance, what are you going to do about dinner with Chi-Chi?"

"What if I just invite her over for dinner and a movie?"

"That sounds harmless."

"I'll tell her I would like to hang out with her. Alone." He stuck his chin out. "For a change."

"I'd be insulted by that remark, but you have a point." Luna opened the next drawer. She paused and giggled.

"What?"

"In college, Brendan and I had a science professor who looked like an alien. You know, an almond-shaped head and big eyes. She always wore bizarre earrings. During class, Brendan drew this on a napkin from the student center." She handed it to Cullen. It looked like E.T. wearing chandelier earrings.

"Funny."

"Not so funny when I burst out laughing, and Dr. Woodmere wanted to know, ‘What's so funny, Ms. Bodman?' I apologized and hoped she didn't want me to share it with the rest of the class. I'd have been thrown out." Luna peered at the drawing again. "I have to say, it's a good likeness of her!" She chuckled, but then her mood abruptly changed.

"Oh my." She lifted a glossy booklet from the box.

"What?" Cullen asked.

"The program from when we went to the Kentucky Derby."

"Oh yeah. You went with that same guy Brendan . . . Nelson, was it?"

"Yeah. Brendan Nelson." Luna's voice was hushed.

"You alright?"

Luna snapped out of it and placed the program in the box. "Yep. Fine." When she reached into the drawer again, she pulled out several yellow ribbons. She sat and stared at them for a moment.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"You remember that retreat I went on my senior year of college?"

"Yeah. It was a bunch of you from a writing class. What about it?"

"Nothing," she lied. "We all just joked that we felt like hostages, so on the last night, we went into a big box store and bought a bunch of yellow ribbons and tied them on everyone's cabin door."

Cullen looked perplexed for a moment, then remembered what yellow ribbons stood for. In the '70s, the symbol of support for a missing loved one was popularized in a song called "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" by a group called Tony Orlando and Dawn. He began to whistle the tune.

"Oh, please stop! You know neither of us will be able to get that song out of our heads for the rest of the day!" Luna slapped her hands over her ears. Cullen began to sing the lyrics just to annoy her.

"Ugh!" Luna tossed the remains of her past into the box and scurried out of the workshop, singing "La . . . La . . . La . . . I can't hear you . . . I can't hear you . . ." Wylie followed, but not without a look of confusion in his big brown doggie eyes.

Luna made her way back to the café and set the box on the table. She had an uneasy feeling. A rush of memories came flooding through her mind. Memories of a love long lost. Or was it a crush that got crushed? She began to replay the last two years of college in her head.

* * *

Luna and Brendan met during their junior year, when they shared the same psychology class. The class was divided into groups of two in order to work together on a hypothesis, each having opposing theories. It was a debate of sorts, but on paper. They had most of the semester to work on the project, and then each team would present their summation to the rest of the class.

The purpose was to understand the mechanisms of theory. Psychology was a growing discipline, and it was important to know who the players were in its development. Carl Jung vs. Sigmund Freud represented the most notable difference of theory. One of the class requirements was that the students do their research within the university library. It was an in-person collaboration, and the students would set their own schedules. That, too, was an exercise in planning and development. Luna had hoped she would be paired up with Brendan. He was funny and smart and willing to share information with his peers, rather than hoard it like many other insecure young adults.

The two immediately clicked. It was their sense of humor. Without saying a word, they could give each other a look and burst out laughing. After the third "shush," the librarian threatened to ban them from the building. Brendan turned on his charm and pleaded with the skinny guy whose glasses were held together with first-aid tape at the bridge. Luna kept staring at the ground. She could not imagine how Brendan kept a straight face. She felt a little guilty, because the reason they'd been laughing was because of the librarian's glasses. He appeared to accept Brendan's apology, turned on his heel, adjusted his already skewed glasses, and marched away. Luna had to keep biting her lip or else they would have been flung outside, into the quad, and permanently expelled from the building. The two made a pact they would refrain from hilarity until after their two hours of research were complete—then they could howl all they wanted at the student center.

It became a thing. They met at the library once a week, did their research, and then grabbed something to eat. It was the one night of the week Luna looked forward to. The friendship hadn't developed into anything serious, except they were seriously good buddies. Luna was quite comfortable linking her arm through his when they walked across the campus. Some people thought they were involved, yet there were never public displays of affection except for the occasional arm-bumping and leaning into each other's personal space. Luna knew there were whispers, and if she overheard anything, she always set the record straight. The dilemma arrived when Luna thought she might be developing a crush on Brendan. Not good. But what could she do? She surely wasn't going to make a move on him, but sometimes her instincts told her he might feel the same way. Still. She wasn't going to push it. There was too much at stake.

But when Brendan started dating a junior from a nearby university, Luna was crestfallen. Why her and not me? Because you never said anything. Oh, am I having a debate with myself? No, it's an argument. She was going to ask Cullen for advice, but he wasn't exactly Mr. Romance. No, she would have to bite the bullet, accept reality, and move on. She promised herself she would never let an opportunity pass her by again.

Regrets. They were the worst. A lack of boldness and not taking the opportunity; a felt connection and again not taking the opportunity. It was true that the biggest regrets in life weren't the things you did; they were the things you didn't do.

But being human, one often breaks promises, especially those we make to ourselves.

* * *

Luna thought about her promise to herself, and sure enough, she had broken it more than once. If nothing else, this short trip down memory lane had been a good reminder, and it gave her an appreciation for Cullen's apprehension about telling Chi-Chi how he felt.

Cullen startled her with a knock on the café's doorframe. "Find anything worth keeping?"

"I still have a bunch of stuff to look through. I'll probably throw most of it away." But did she want to? Would it erase the past? Maybe it should be erased. She put the papers away and put the lid on the box. That was enough reminiscing for one day.

"Cul? I'm glad you are going to tell Chi-Chi how you feel. It's important to let people know you care about them. Don't let your fear get in your way." She knew she was repeating herself, but thought a reminder was necessary.

"Got it, Sis." He smiled. "You sure you're okay?"

"I dunno. Maybe it's hormones."

Cullen stiffened. "Geez, if I suggested that, you would punch me in the face."

"True. I can say it because they are my hormones." Luna put the lid on the box. "Will you put this in my car, please?" She didn't wait for an answer and handed him the box.

"You closing up soon?" Cullen asked as he took ownership of the mementos.

"Yeah. I'll check with Ellie first to see if she needs anything else for the shindig on Thursday."

"You guys—I mean gals—I mean women . . ." Cullen paused, knowing some women were offended by lots of things when hormones struck. "What do you prefer I call you?"

"What do you mean?" Luna squinted at him.

"Guys? Gals?"

"You mean that play?" Luna was busting his chops.

"No, silly. How do you like to be referred to? As?"

"Luna." Now she was giving him a hard time.

"Please, Luna. Sometimes I feel I have to tiptoe around people with all this political correctness. Don't misunderstand me. I get it. I mean, I want to say the right thing."

Luna stared at him. "Boy, you are really having a meltdown, aren't you?"

Cullen shook his head. "No, but I am making an effort to choose my words carefully."

"And I appreciate that. But I'm your sister, for heaven's sake. You've referred to me with some rather unflattering names over the years."

"Ha, ha."

"Listen, I don't care if you call us guys, gals, pals, kids, team, whatever. As long as you're not trying to be derogatory."

"I would never!" Cullen raised his voice.

"Calm down, brother. You know what I think? I think we need to go get a pizza and a beer."

"Sounds good." Cullen exhaled.

"Should we invite Chi-Chi?" Luna gave him a sideways look.

"She has a late appointment, so she's not available." He seemed relieved.

"Okay. Let me give Ellie a buzz. I'll catch up with you in your workshop." Luna picked up the walkie-talkie and buzzed Ellie. "Hey, Ellie. Cullen and I are about to head out. You need anything?"

"I think we have everything under control." Ellie sounded confident.

"Super! I'll see you in the morning. Scones and cappuccino! Ciao !" Luna clicked the off button on the device, then nodded at Wylie. "Come on, pal."

She met up with Cullen at the back of his shop. "Does Three Brothers have outdoor seating during the week, or should I drop Wylie off at home?"

"I saw tables on the sidewalk when I drove in this morning."

Wylie yawned and yapped a sound of approval. Three Brothers was one of the few places that allowed dogs to be tethered to outdoor tables. If people didn't like it, they could go find pizza somewhere else, which wasn't that easy to do. At least not really good, authentic pizza.

Cullen arrived at the restaurant a few minutes before Luna and snatched up the last available café table with a market umbrella. Apparently, several other dog owners had had the same idea. Or did the dogs telepathically communicate with their owners? Luna would surely go for that theory, Cullen thought.

With Wiley on a leash, Luna made her way to the table, carefully sidestepping a golden retriever, a boxer, a Yorkie, and a terrier. None of the dogs seemed to be bothered by the other dogs, or the other people, for that matter.

"Must be ‘Dogs Night Out' at the pizzeria." Luna grinned at the other diners as they nodded in agreement. She wrapped Wylie's leash around the leg of a chair and sat down.

Cullen snickered. "I was just wondering if they passed the idea along to their owners telepathically."

Luna cackled. "You are finally starting to get it."

"Oh, I got it, alright. I just didn't know what to do with ‘it.'" He used air quotes. "I ordered a pitcher of Blue Moon."

"Great."

"You don't normally drink beer. What's the occasion?"

She shrugged. "Variety is the spice of life, I guess."

"Speaking of spices." He cleared his throat. "I don't think I'll be able to find the right ones to make an authentic Nigerian dinner for Chi-Chi."

"I wouldn't try experimenting if I were you, unless you ask her to help you prepare dinner."

Cullen rubbed his chin. "That's a thought. We could cook together."

"Yep. That way, it's still romantic, but doesn't have the ‘will you marry me?' vibe," Luna replied. "So now you ask her if she'll teach you one of her favorite dishes and bring the necessary spices and give you a list of the other ingredients."

"Sometimes you are smarter than you look." Cullen beamed and teased at the same time.

"I hope you're not planning on auditioning for America's Got Talent , because you are no comedian."

Gorgio, the owner of the pizzeria, approached their table with a foaming pitcher of beer and two menus. " Buonasera , Luna," he greeted her.

" Buonasera , Gorgio. Come stai ?"

" Molto bene !" He grinned. "You are practicing your Italian."

"Yes. That and ciao are my go-to phrases," Luna joked.

" Cosa vorresti mangiare ?" he asked.

"Not fair!" Luna grinned. "The only word I kinda recognized was mangiare ."

" Molto bene !" Gorgio made a slight bow. "You see? You can speak Italiana."

"Well, okay then. I shall have pizza!" She leaned in. "Is pizza ‘pizza' in Italian?"

Gorgio laughed. "Yes, we invented the pizza!"

Luna laughed in return. "I kinda knew that. I think I'll have a personal pizza with some spinaci and extra mozzarella." She used the Italian word for spinach and pronounced mozzarella like a true Italiana: moots-a-rell .

Gorgio turned to Cullen. "Your sister. She learns quick."

Cullen was not going to make any attempt at a foreign language with the exception of the words, "Pizza and pepperoni."

"What about il tuo cane ?" Gorgio nodded to Wylie.

"I try not to give him h-u-m-a-n food," Luna answered, but Wylie's ears picked up.

"Telepathy." Cullen chortled.

"Maybe a meatball? No sauce, please," Luna said. "Here's a question for you, Gorgio—is it sauce or gravy?"

Gorgio let out a huff. "It depends who you ask. Gravy is popular in New Jersey, and sauce is popular in New York." He shrugged. "But for me? Gravy has meat. Tomato sauce is tomato sauce. Capisce ?"

Luna laughed. "So if I order marinara sauce, it's tomato sauce?"

"It's marinara," Gorgio said, rolling the R s. "And si , tomato sauce is tomato sauce. Marinara has no meat. Just tomatoes, basil, and oregano."

"Thank you for explaining and settling the long debate."

" Piacere, mia cara . My pleasure." Gorgio nodded. "Anything else?"

Luna and Cullen looked at each other. "Maybe some stuffed mushrooms to start?" Cullen added.

"Va bene." Gorgio smiled, shuffled through the group of idle canines, and retreated into the restaurant.

Luna leaned closer to Cullen. "Back to the menu. What else do you have planned?"

"I honestly have no idea. Chi-Chi has fixed plenty of Nigerian dishes for me, but I never asked what went into them."

"Okay. So she'll give you a list of ingredients to buy. Wine? Beer? Smoothies?"

"A lot of smoothies are made with lumpy stuff."

"Lumpy stuff?"

"Grains, fruit, and I'm not sure what else. I checked online, and they all look too healthy."

Luna almost spit out her beer. "Just ask her what she'd like to drink. I think you are making it much more complicated than necessary."

"It's because I'm nervous." Cullen's face reddened a bit.

"I get it. I really do. You know, today when I was looking through some of my stuff, I realized I suffered from the same kind of rejection anxiety."

"Since when?" Cullen looked dubious.

"Since forever." Luna pulled the orange slice from the edge of her glass and tossed it into her beer.

"You? Come on. I don't believe it!"

"There are some things that I keep under wraps." Luna raised her eyebrows.

"I also find that hard to believe." Cullen leaned back into his chair.

"I know I come across as confident. And I am. About a lot of things. But when it comes to matters of the heart, I am a big chicken."

"Yeah, but you and Chris seem to have a good relationship." He pointed to the class ring she was wearing around her neck.

"It took a year before he kissed me." Luna blushed.

"He was being polite." Cullen peered over his beer mug.

"And I never gave him the green light. Not that I didn't want him to, but I was afraid to make a move. You know, kinda like leaning in."

"That is something I can relate to." He looked her straight in the eye. "I am truly stunned. I would have thought you pushed him onto the ground and kissed him first!"

"How little you know me after all these years." Luna shook her head. "Don't think the thought didn't occur to me, though." Then she laughed.

"Okay. So I'm not that far off track, little sister."

"Nope. I just didn't have the guts to do it. Good thing Chris had more nerve than I did." She giggled. "But . . ." She giggled again. "The first attempt came to an abrupt stop, because we smashed noses and couldn't stop laughing."

"It occured to me that you and I never discuss our romantic inclinations," Cullen mused.

"Not since I told you the time when what's-her-face was cheating on you."

"Nora." Cullen placed his mug on the table and filled half his glass. "Yeah. That was a stinger, alright." He took another sip. "Isn't it funny—odd, funny—that here we are, adults. Grownups. And we act like we're still in the third grade."

Luna chuckled. "Old habits die hard. But time you changed yours. Don't be a chicken. Don't have any regrets."

Cullen smiled. "You're pretty wise for a lunatic."

Gorgio and two servers approached the table with their pizzas. "And a nice meatball for Signore Wylie. No sauce, and no gravy!" Gorgio placed the bowl on the sidewalk for Wylie. "Buon appetito!"

Wylie thanked him with a woof and a wag.