Page 59 of Choosing Stella

“I believe you knew something you had no way to know.”

“That isn’t exactly the same thing.”

“No.”

“But it’s closer.”

“Much closer.”

The corner of her mouth moved.

“What did you do after?” she asked.

“I got out. I came to Cascade Point eventually. I kept my exposure low and built a life where I choose who I work for.”

“And that’s when you came to Bancroft?”

“Yes.”

“Is Geo DiNero even your real name?”

I almost laughed.

“Yes. Geo DiNero is my real name.”

“I had to ask.”

“I moved. I kept my name.”

Stella nodded once.

Then she folded the cloth over her cards.

“That’s enough.”

I waited.

“You’re not going to ask me anything else?”

“You told me what you wanted to tell me.”

“That usually doesn’t stop people.”

“I know.”

Her hand rested on the table between us.

I put mine beside it.

Stella turned her hand and slid her fingers into mine.

I closed my hand around hers.

She gave me a small, tired smile.

“You’re going to keep arguing with me about tarot, aren’t you?”

“I probably am.”