Nova appears in the doorway of her kitchen, the back of her hand trying to contain her yawn and a fluffy pink robe wrapped around her middle. She looks comfortable. Cozy. I’ve never seen this robe before, three sizes too big and perpetually slipping down one shoulder. I wonder where she’s been keeping it. “How’re you feeling?” She answers with a sh

I’m fidgeting and I can’t decide which book to buy. What sort of book says, Thank you for having me over to your home for family dinner, I don’t know what to do with an invitation like this, but I’m grateful all the same? A thriller? A paranormal romance? Something nonfiction?

He shrugs and picks up one of my printed tattoo cards. “You’ve got an ooey gooey heart, Nova Porter.” I snatch the card out of his hand and put it back on the stack. “No, I don’t.” Apparently, I have a bubble-wrapped heart. A stone heart, if my siblings are to be believed. He hums and plucks up another one. “Yes, you do. You’re a big ol’ softie ben

“What are you doing?” I jump and almost flip the table where only a couple slices of wedding cake remain. My sister Vanessa emerges from between two trees like a movie villain, face cloaked half in shadow. “What am I doing? What are you doing?” I press my hand to my chest. “Why are you impersonating Michael Myers? How long have you been there?” “Ei

Evelyn is draped over Beckett’s shoulders with both of her arms wrapped around his neck, their fingers threaded together, both of their attention fixed on Harper and whatever point she’s trying to illustrate with a bowl the size of her head curled in her arms.

“I can hold your calls, but you have an appointment on your calendar for this evening.” “If it’s not at the empanada truck on the corner of my street, I am not interested.”

I glance at Vanessa. I can only see her eyes overtop the couch, like a grumpy little crocodile sitting in still water. “I don’t know, Ness. Life?” She nods sagely. “I get it.”

“I’ll be seeing you, Charlie.” I dig my hands into my pockets. “You sure will.” “Okay.” “Fine.” “Great.” A ghost of a laugh slips from between her lips, “unbelievable” whispered under her breath. She gives me one last look and then wanders in the opposite direction, shoulders back, chin up. “Pretend this never happened,” she yells over her shoulder

He sets his bowl to the side as I get closer and reaches for me. His hands open and close in a grabbing motion. Come closer, he’s saying. Come here.