I sit on the couch with Cora as we watch a Japanese cartoon about a bunch of girls running around in sailor outfits fighting crime. She spent the previous night at Alana’s house and fills me in on how much she loves Cydney and how she can’t wait until she’s old enough to babysit.

A black cloud doesn’t follow her around like it did after her mom left. If she’s still sad about it she doesn’t show it. That one trait is strong in Gunner’s family—they can mask their emotions. Sometimes I wish I could do that. My life would be so much easier.

I wish I could mask anger and regret as it bubbles in my chest. I shouldn’t have opened my mouth to him. He wouldn’t be avoiding me like a plague.

“I love it when Chibi shows up on Earth and lands on Serenity’s head. She doesn’t know Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon are her parents.”

“Is this your favorite show?” I ask her.

She nods. “Yeah, and Dragon Ball Z and Black Clover. Gunner promised he’ll take me to Tokyo next year since Japanese people are big on anime.” She taps her fingers on her chin. “Will you come with us? Gunner told me you love taking pictures of stuff, and they have cherry blossom trees like the ones on Roosevelt Island, but I heard they were far prettier there.”

“Sure.”

I grab my phone from the coffee table and call Gunner a few more times before I send Alana a text message, asking if she has heard from him. We exchanged numbers on Labor Day before Gunner showed up with Cora and Rylee. Rylee is waiting to get sentenced for theft, assault, and child abandonment. Gunner is looking into adopting Cora.

She replies back with a no, but she’ll ask Darien to call the hotel he’s staying at if he doesn’t show up tomorrow. And not to worry because meetings can take days.

I toss my phone back on the table.

Several moments later, the front door creaks open and my heart flutters in my chest as footsteps echo off the walls. It’s the devil himself strolling into the living room with his hands shoved in his denim jeans. His eyes are red-rimmed while his face looks like he’s aged ten years.

“Gunner!” Cora jumps up from the couch and rushes to him, hugging him as hard as she can. His eyes met mine and guilt etches across his face.

“How was the meeting?” I ask, folding my arms across my chest.

“Cora, go to your room. I need to talk to Rainbow.”

“Can we eat pizza tonight? I’m burned out on healthy food. Alana made me eat way too much of it when I was staying with her.”