Archenemies (Renegades #2)(112)

“I don’t know,” she finally confessed. “He asked me to go to the carnival with him. I mean, it was sort of a work thing, but also … sort of a date. I suppose.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ve tried that. Asking her to go places with me. But she always assumes it’s for the Renegades, or we’re going with the whole group. She’s always like, ‘great, I’ll see if Danna wants to carpool.’” He huffed.

A nerve twitched in Nova’s brow at the mention of Danna, and she thought again of the butterfly trapped inside that mason jar.

“Adrian brought me sandwiches once,” she said. “When I was working late at headquarters.”

Oscar gave her an appraising look. “I like sandwiches.”

“Ruby probably does too.”

He spun Nova away from him again, and his expression seemed warmer when she spun back. “Who doesn’t like sandwiches?” he said, sounding borderline jovial.

Remembering all the tips that Honey had given her on flirting and the art of seduction, Nova added, “And you should try to find little ways to touch her. Subtle, but not too subtle.”

He nodded intently. “Right. Got it.”

“And make sure you laugh when she makes a joke. Even if it’s not really that funny.”

He considered this. “She’s not not funny. I mean, I’ll obviously be the funny one in the relationship. If … when … well, you know what I mean. But still, she’s got a great sense of humor.”

“Oh!” said Nova, excited that she remembered so much of Honey’s tutelage. “And surprise her with gifts once in a while, so she knows you’ve been thinking about her. Flowers are good. And jewelry.”

At this, Oscar seemed uncertain. “She can make her own jewelry.”

“It’s the thought,” said Nova. Taking her hand from his shoulder, she pulled up the lacy sleeve of her dress to reveal her copper filigree bracelet. “The first time I met Adrian, he fixed the clasp on my bracelet. He may not have given this to me, but I still”—her voice faded, almost sadly—“I can’t help but think of him, you know … Every time I see it…”

A hand grabbed Nova’s forearm, twisting her wrist around. She tensed and prepared to break the perpetrator’s arm—but it was only Magpie, gawking at the bracelet.

“Oh,” said Nova, wilting. “You. Funny, we were just talking about that time you tried to steal—”

“What is this?” said Magpie.

Nova realized with a start that she’d revealed the glowing orb in the bracelet’s setting. She’d forgotten it was there. She yanked her hand away and pulled the sleeve over it.

“Nothing,” she said.

“That wasn’t there before,” said Magpie, pointing at Nova’s wrist.

“No. I took it to a jeweler.” She started to turn back to Oscar.

“But what is it?” Magpie persisted, grabbing Nova’s elbow. “It has a different signature from … from anything.”

Nova scowled at her. “Signature?”

“Yeah. Not amber. Not a citrine. Definitely not a diamond…” Her surly expression was even more annoyed than usual as she tried to puzzle through whatever she was sensing from the bracelet. “But it’s…” Her breaths became ragged, and Nova didn’t resist this time as Magpie lifted her arm and pulled up her sleeve again. “It’s worth something. It’s worth a lot.” Her eyes were wide with … with yearning.

Nova snatched her arm away again and shot Oscar a baffled look, which he returned in kind.

“Where did it come from?” said Magpie. She seemed desperate to know, but Nova fumbled with what to tell her.

It came from a dream? A painting? A statue?

What was it?

Nova didn’t know.

The strike of a clock echoed through the room, startling her.

“Nothing,” she said hastily. “It’s nothing.” She linked her elbow with Oscar’s. “Let’s head back to the others.”

He didn’t argue, but she could sense him watching Magpie as they left the dance floor. “What was that about?”

She shook her head. “No idea. For some reason, that kid is obsessed with my bracelet. If it ever goes missing, I’ll definitely know where to look for it.” Spotting Ruby at their table, Nova paused and squeezed Oscar’s arm. “Hey, Oscar?”

“Yeah?”

She met his gaze and, after a hesitant beat, she smiled. For the first time she realized that … this could be it. She might never see Oscar or Ruby again after this night. At least, not unless it was from opposite sides of a battlefield.

She hoped he would know how much she meant this. “I know this is kind of trite, but seriously, you are a catch, and … I think Ruby already knows that. Just be yourself. How could she not fall in love with you?”

He stared at her, and for a heartbeat, she could see the depths of his insecurity. Gratitude shimmered in his brown eyes, mingling with hope, overcome with wanting. For the first time, Nova wondered how much of his confidence was an act.

Or maybe that’s all confidence ever was. An act.

Then the moment passed and Oscar’s crooked smile was back. “Kind of trite? Honestly, Nova, did you pull that off the front of a birthday card? ‘Just be yourself.’ Please. Of all the useless advice…” He clicked his tongue as he walked away, using his cane to clear a chair from his path.