privacy of the moment, Beau and Ethan move away.
“You would have done the same for me,” I say.
Fatima contemplates her golden cuff. “I don’t know what I would have done.”
My platinum cuff feels heavier than ever for some reason.
“I was so jealous,” Fatima admits. “I always thought I’d be top pick instead of you. That’s why I didn’t say thank you.”
“For what?”
“For protecting me. I’m sorry I was such a jealous idiot that I never thanked you for shielding me from that Virus. I’m sorry you had to go Geisha over it.”
“But—” I say, trying to protest. I don’t get the chance. Ms. Lydia and Cal are right there, waiting to introduce me to Trevor.
He’s perfect for me. I know it the first time Trevor looks at me with his clear blue eyes. He’s honest and kind and obedient and respectful, all rolled up in one. He’s the perfect boy next door, and he smiles down at me like I’m the only girl in the room.
I could thank Ms. Lydia for a thousand years, and it would never be enough.
“Blanca,” Trevor says.
I’m not sure if that’s a question or statement, but I don’t care. It’s not like I’m going to be able to answer anyway, not with my tongue permanently attached to the roof of my mouth.
The woman standing next to Trevor speaks for me. “So this is Blanca,” she says. Her skin is so smooth that the gray hair sets off her face like a frame.
“Yes, Lilith,” says Ms. Lydia. “This is Ms. Blanca.” She puts the emphasis on the Ms., and Lilith finches.
I take notice too, of course. Lilith is older than me, more experienced. I’ve followed her career ever since I was a little girl. I should be kowtowing to her, not the other way around. Why doesn’t Ms. Lydia want that? But then I look down at Lilith’s wrist and see gold, not platinum. For some reason, that loosens my tongue.
“It’s nice to see you, Ms. Lilith,” I say. “And you too, Trevor.”
Trevor smiles back at me with a mouth full of perfectly straight, white teeth.
“And this is Blanca’s purchaser, Mr. Calum McNeal,” Ms. Lydia continues the introductions. Then she indicates the razor model behind Lilith. “And Richard, Trevor’s father.”
“It’s a pleasure.” Cal shakes everyone’s hands. Then he looks at me and winks. “Richard and Lilith, I’m dying to hear about the soap industry. Let’s give these two some privacy, and you can tell me all about your work.”
The other Vestals try not to laugh.
Ms. Lydia actually does, that silvery laugh of hers that is so beautiful. “Calum!” she says as she leads him away. “You can’t give privacy. You can only protect it. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
And then it’s me alone with Mr. Gorgeous, although we’re in a room full of people.
“So, um,” says Trevor. “You’re Blanca.”
“Yes,” I say, “I’m Blanca. Do you remember me from school?”
“Um, no, not really. But Lilith, I mean … my mom said that you and I are going to be perfect together.”
“Ms. Lydia said that too.”
Trevor shoves his hands in his pockets and steals a glance at his mom.
“So,” I say, “you’re twenty?”
“That’s what they tell me.”
I struggle to think, but it’s like my brain is made out of cardboard. “I’ve been a fan of your mom forever,” I finally say. “I’ll never forget that campaign she did for Citrus Sunshine when I was little.” Then I start to hum the tune like a dork before I can stop myself.
But Trevor smiles and hums along with me. “Yes.” He steals a glance at Lilith. “That was a good one.”
I look at Lilith too. She glares at me like I’m a menace. But then she sees me looking at her and quickly turns around.
“Would you like to dance?” Trevor asks me. Without waiting for a response, he pulls me onto the floor. He binds his arms around me, and we float around the dance floor like we’re clouds. Trevor’s such a great dancer that for a second I forget about everything else. The Virus, the picture, the month locked in my room; it all spins away into oblivion.
“So you went Geisha?”
The question snaps me back into reality. “Yes. But it’s not what you think. My purchaser and I, we’re not … you know.”
“Oh,” says Trevor. “My mom said … Never mind. You and me? This could be for real?”
I feel my ears turn red. “If you want,” I manage to get out.
“Cool.” Trevor pulls me closer, and we both