“They don’t know about that,” Valentino says. “But they know about you.”

“You sure you stuck around long enough to make sure they didn’t have heart attacks?”

“That’s dark,” Dalma says.

“I can make that joke, the heart attackers are my community.”

Dayana stands. “Okay, everyone up and out. Let’s give the boys some privacy.” She shoos Dalma, Floyd, and Dahlia upstairs.

But Dalma comes back around. “O-Bro . . .”

That’s all she says before leaving us downstairs, closing the door behind her. But I know what she’s telling me to do.

Well, what not to do.

Don’t let Valentino die in vain.

But first things first: a couple more firsts.

Valentino

5:23 p.m.

“Welcome to the O-Zone,” Orion says, opening the door to his bedroom.

“Great name,” I say, my heart pounding as I step inside this cozy bedroom with air blowing from his rotating fan. The walls are painted a light gray, almost white. Thumbtacked above his wooden desk are pictures of Orion with his parents. The one window offers a view into the backyard where the table is empty with everyone back upstairs. Behind me is Orion’s twin-size bed made up with a white comforter, just like mine was in Arizona. Except on top of his bed is also a black-and-gray plaid blanket with his phone, my camera, two champagne glasses, and a white candle resting on a tray.

“What’s all that?”

“We never got to have a proper first date,” Orion says, taking my hand and leading me to the bed. “I thought we could have it here.”

“So you literally get in bed on the first date.”

Orion laughs. “Only if I like the guy.”

“Good for you.”

“Good for us.”

He acts as if he’s striking a match and fake-lights the candle.

“I hope that candle doesn’t fall over and set the bed on fire,” I say.

“Hard same, that would suck.”

We sit against the wall, holding hands and our empty champagne glasses.

“I take it we’re not drinking anything,” I say.

“Who said that?” Orion sips nothing and then sighs like he’s had water for the first time in ages. “Oh man, I really needed that.”

I drink air out of my glass. “That was really good.”

“No, no, no, no, no, no. You totally faked your way through that.”

“As opposed to?”

“Living your way through it.”