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
IrisArthur scrambles to his feet when he sees me, his mouth already opening to say something. I hold up my hand, cutting him off before he can even begin.“Not here,” I hiss, sliding past him to take my seat.“Iris, please,” he whispers as he sinks back into his chair beside me. “Just let me explai
“You don’t know the whole story,” I protest weakly.“I know enough.” Caleb tightens his grip on my hands. “I wanted to give him a chance. I really did. But now it seems I was right about his intentions all along.”I shake my head, not ready to accept what he’s saying. “I need to hear him out first.
IrisI wake up to the sound of Scout meowing for his breakfast, and for a moment, before I return to full consciousness, I actually forget where I am and why I’m here. I think I’m still at home, that I’ll roll over to find Arthur adjusting his tie by the mirror.But then it all comes rushing back.W
She orders a martini, then turns to face me fully. “I want to apologize. I never meant to drive a wedge between you and Iris. That was never my intention.”I scoff. “What exactly did you think would happen when you told me we were mates?”“I didn’t tell you,” she points out. “You figured it out on y







