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
“Again,” he growls, thrusting into me with renewed vigor. The position allows him to go deeper, and I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him even closer.My hands clutch at his shoulders, nails digging into his skin as he pounds into me. Each thrust sends shockwaves of pleasure through my body,
Iris“Bath?” Arthur suggests once we’re alone in his—our—room.I nod, and Arthur moves into the en-suite bathroom. A moment later, I hear the water running as he fills the oversized tub.When I follow him, he’s adding bath oil to the steaming water, the scent of lavender filling the air. He turns to
We eat on the floor, picnic-style, in front of the TV. Miles chooses a movie—some animated film about talking animals—and we settle in for a cozy family night.It’s such a simple thing—pizza, a movie, sitting together on the floor—but it feels perfect. Complete. As if all the scattered pieces of my
IrisI shut my laptop with more force than I should.No. I refuse to give those comments another second of my attention. So what if the public thinks Veronica would make a better Luna? Arthur doesn’t think that. I certainly don’t. And that’s what matters.Moving day arrives before I know it. Once al







