A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"Callie, do you want anything else to eat? I can get it for you, just let me know, okay?"

"You know, even though we were sitting with Lisette earlier, we were actually thinking about you the whole time!"

"Oh, and Callie-if there's anything you want from the store, I'm heading out later.

I can pick up your favorite snacks or whatever you need!"

Valerian was working hard to get Calliope's attention.

Calliope glanced at Valerian, her eyes soon landing on the scarf wrapped around his neck.

She raised an eyebrow. "Nice scarf. Who made it for you? You love it so much you can't even take it off at lunch?"

As she spoke, she shot a look at Horatio. He was wearing a cheap-looking beaded bracelet-one of those things you get at a flea market for a couple bucks. But he wore it like it was precious, right alongside his expensive watch.

"Cool bracelet, too," Calliope added, her voice teasing.

it was too late. The ring was clearly handmade, a rough silver band with a glass bead glued on top, nothing

playful. "That ring's got

glanced at each other, faces stiffening. None of them had expected Calliope to instantly figure out

more cunning than she'd thought. Just a few trinkets, and she'd managed to win over

them

gave you those? Was it

best buddies with

that was fast. Guess you

my back these past

food slowly, looking up at them with a

his seat. "I swear, Callie!

"Seriously, we didn't!" Valerian

Lisette gave us some gifts and we

added. "We're family. And you know, it wasn't really Lisette's fault, what happened back then. Honestly, it was our fault. We treated hepbetter than you,

wasn't about Lisette. That's on us. You

did, and we'll make it up to you.