“What’s going on?” he asked. “You know you can tell me anything.”

Tanvi twirled the leaves in a silly dance. “Nitya said . . .”

“Yes?”

“Could be a faerie skirt, don’t you think? I’d wear it.”

“Tanvi.”

She’d planned to hold out a little longer, to really milk the moment, but the tenderness in his eyes made her melt. “She said I should follow my dreams unless they lead me out of Philadelphia. Then I should turn around.”

Venkat’s lips twitched. “And what do you think about that?”

“I think she’s right.”

They looked at each other, trying not to laugh, and then they were leaning in, noses brushing, lips parting. His mouth was so warm, better even than the cider. He felt like home. She could kiss him forever, and who cared if old Mr. O’Neil across the street was staring from behind his curtains, scandalized?

The front door of the house opened, and Nitya hurried out, dressed in a light gray sweater dress that made Tanvi think of winter snowstorms. She reluctantly pulled away from Venkat and rose to greet her sister. “Give us a minute?”

“Don’t forget the shawl.” Venkat squeezed her shoulder, then walked to the other side of the yard.

Nitya glanced after him, grinning. “Better not let Mom catch you doing that.”

Tanvi rolled her eyes. “Yeah, maybe I just won’t go in, and then you don’t have to worry about it.” When Nitya bit her lip, Tanvi immediately regretted it. “I didn’t mean that. I just meant— I’m scared.”

“All Mom and Dad and I ever wanted,” Nitya said, her voice low and intense, “was for you to come back. They’re so happy, and Dad flew back from Canada just to see you. Don’t be scared.”

“I have something for you,” Tanvi announced. She had to break the tension, or else she wouldn’t be able to do this. She took a shimmering yellow square from her pocket and unfolded it into a swath of summer sunlight. “It’s a sunshine shawl. From the Night Market I told you about.”

The fabric pooled like water over Nitya’s open hands. “It’s beautiful,” she said, knotting it around her neck. “Thank you.”

But her smile, the smile so much like Tanvi’s and also not at all like it, stayed dim.

“Oh, no,” Tanvi said. “It’s not what you think. I’m not going to disappear on you. I swear.”

When Nitya still didn’t look reassured, Tanvi reached out and hugged her. She held her sister and let her sister hold her until they both relaxed in something close to safety. It felt weird—but also right.

Nitya finally let go. “Come on.”

“Just let me say bye to Venkat first.”

“Okay. I’ll see you inside in a minute?” But Nitya didn’t move.

Tanvi nodded. “Sixty seconds. I promise.”