She sighed. “It certainly looks that way, kiddo.”
“And you say it’s an impossibility for me to remember on my own?”
With sadness in her eyes, Luana nodded. It was like all the air had escaped my lungs. The calming tingles verified what was said, and I knew Stephen was trying to calm my frantically beating heart.
“Then I’m left with no other choice,” I found myself saying.
Luana looked up, puzzled. “What?”
“I have to be the exception to the rule. I’ll have to remember.”
She shook her head, but smiled. “If anyone can do it, you can.”
I didn’t know what she meant and I knew I couldn’t ask. I just knew I had a very tough time ahead, but Stephen was worth every single second.
“So how did you know who I was?”
Her change in subject was a welcome one. I didn’t want to stew on this too much right now. I just had to find a way—pure and simple.
Smiling, I said, “Michael mentioned you yesterday.”
Watching Luana’s eyes widen had the wheels in my head spinning. She liked him, and I mean really liked him.
“Did he?” Her voice sounded a little high-pitched all of a sudden.
“Yes,” I chuckled. “To be honest, he was a bit cagey about it. It was almost as if he was trying to shrug me off when I asked questions.”
Luana smiled. “It’s probably because he didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
And there it was. The proof there was more to Michael and Luana than both of them just being angels.
“You like him, don’t you?” I saw the dreamy look in her eyes. “What’s holding him ba—?” Then I knew. It was me. It was always me holding him back. How stupid and selfish of me. If I had known, maybe things would have turned out differently.
“Oh, my god. How stupid am I?”
Leaning forward in her seat, Luana reached over and grabbed my knee. “You weren’t to know.”
I grabbed her hand. “I feel so close to you for some reason. Do all angels make people feel that way?”
Luana chuckled and squeezed my knee. “I suppose we’re just naturally gifted,” she smiled.
I knew what she said was true, but there was more to it than she was letting on. “I know you.”
Luana’s eyes widened again. I saw her gulp as she pulled her hand away.
“It’s okay, Luana. I’m not going to make you say it. I just know it’s true.” You could see Luana’s relief as she smiled back at me.
“So, getting back to Michael, why weren’t you two together before he was sent on his mission?”
Luana’s smile was wider as I saw a glint of humour in her eyes. “That’s easy. You know Michael likes the damsel in distress type? No offense to you.” I nodded. “I’m no damsel. Never have been.”
I caught on to what she said. “Ah, I see.”
Suddenly, my heart swelled at the idea that maybe I could push Michael into Luana’s arms. I could tell she was smitten. I didn’t know what feelings Michael had for her, but I was willing to try and lead him there. It was the least I could do for him. I had to let him know he had the right to be happy. It just wasn’t going to be with me.
My mind raced with possibilities. I jumped out of my chair. “Luana, finish off your drink. You’re coming with me.”
Frantically, Luana gulped the rest of her hot chocolate down and stood up. “Where are we going?”
“Do you have a car?”
“I have a motorbike. Why?”
I smiled, thinking how much Luana and Michael were alike. Silly boy! “I don’t suppose you have an extra helmet?” Luana shook her head. Shit!
“I can go and get one if you hang on for a few minutes.”
Smiling, I reached out and grabbed her arm. “Please do. I can guarantee you it will be worth it.”
With a nod, she was at the door. Suddenly, I called her back. “Luana?”
She hesitated at the door. “What?”
“What does your name mean?”
She chuckled a little. “It means ‘God’s Favourite Warrior’.”
Nodding, I smiled, thinking it suited her. “I like it.”
Shaking her head, she giggled a little. “I thought you would.” With a turn of her heels, she was out the door.
The minute she was gone, I started getting nervous. A part of me was wondering whether I could go through this, but another part knew I had no other choice. I had to do this for Michael no matter how uncomfortable it made me.
With my mind made up, I grabbed some things and started placing them in a bag. I sat and waited with an apprehensive smile on my face, hoping and praying this would work.
Once Luana was back, we climbed on her bike and I yelled out directions along the way. For some reason, I think she knew where we were going, but it was only when we were sitting outside Michael’s house that she confirmed it.