LOGINI can hardly believe it. Before my friends can say anything else, I squeal and throw my arms around them both, jumping up and down. Liam and Brian and the twins are the one major thing I’ve missed dearly since leaving Bo’Arrocan, and to find that they’re finally considering living in Ordan full time
“On schedule, believe it or not,” I reply. “The Bo’Arrocan branch is finally running smoothly, and the Ordan location just graduated its first class of seniors. Six of them got full scholarships to prestigious art schools.”“That’s amazing, Iris.” Alice squeezes my arm. “You’ve created something tru
IrisFive Years Later…“Fifty years of marriage, and they still make each other laugh like that,” Arthur says, appearing at my side with two glasses of champagne. He hands me one and clinks his against it, and we watch as my parents twirl on the lawn, my mom throwing her head back at something my fa
“Gee. Thanks,” I manage to laugh weakly. “I’ll see you all next week.”“You most certainly will not,” Arthur, Hunter, and Alice all say in unison, making me roll my eyes.Outside, Arthur’s car is waiting, parked haphazardly half on the curb. He must have driven like a maniac to get here so quickly f
IrisEight months later…“And that’s why the colors on this side of the color wheel are considered ‘cool’ colors,” I explain to the class of children sitting in a semicircle around me. “They remind us of water, ice, and the sky.”I’m demonstrating on a large color wheel chart when a sharp pain rips
And through it all, Augustine’s breathing grows slower, shallower.Then, quietly and calmly, she goes.Her hand turns limp in mine. The steady beeping of the heart monitor flatlines. The doctor steps forward, checks for a pulse, then shakes her head.“Time of death, 10:47 AM,” she says quietly.I br
IrisI step into the living room as Arthur moves to the home bar to pour me a drink. “What’s your drink of choice?” he calls from the dining room, which is adjacent to where I’m standing. “Still red wine?”“Yeah,” I reply, glancing around before I tentatively take a seat in one of the soft armchairs
“Alice, you didn’t have to stand up for me like that.”The curator waves her hand. “Like I said, we’re friends,” she replies, glancing up at me. Her cheeks are slightly flushed. “I mean, I assume we’re friends…”I can’t help but smile. I never expected to make friends with anyone here, but the thoug
IrisThat night, I receive a text from Alice regarding the lecture series with Abbott Gallery. She’s attending a tour tomorrow afternoon and asks me to come, which I agree to. When I tell Arthur about it, he insists on watching Miles himself, as he has the day off. I hesitate at first, but I know he
But I don’t—because after everything, I have no intention right now of getting back together with him.“An apology would be a start,” I finally bite out.Arthur doesn’t hesitate. He suddenly stands, crossing the room, and grabs my hands. I drop my charcoal pencil as he tugs me away from my easel.Th







