Page 58 of First Verse

“A flower needs water, sunlight, and space to grow.”

The memory tumbles into others from the following years. They all clash before merging into a glaring epiphany. Back then, I’d decided she meant I shouldn’t pursue anything romantic with Eva. That conviction worked for me, complementing my fears. But hindsight is clear—Katherine was warning me not to suffocate her. Which I ended up doing anyway by putting her in a box built of my selfish needs.

Cold radiates down my spine.

Is that what I’m still doing?

My heart races, my muscles tensing. All I see are Katherine’s ageless eyes. I’m suddenly not sure I want her message.

Pounding footsteps and squeals in the hallway drag my attention from Katherine. She steps aside right as Olive and Ivy careen around the corner. They gape at me for two seconds before darting forward and almost knocking me over with their double-strength hug. Their voices fill the room, words overlapping and creating a familiar, beautiful chaos in my ears.

“I can’t believe you’re here!”

“Freaking finally.”

“Your hair is so short!”

“And you have a thousand more tattoos.”

“Ohh, he has to listen to our new song.”

“No way, Liv! It’s not done.”

“Fine, fine. Selfies!”

Over their heads, I meet my dad’s amused gaze. He mouths, “Welcome home.”

CHAPTERTWENTY

wilder

After helping River clean the kitchen and put away leftovers, I step onto the back patio and take a deep, cleansing breath.

The sun sits low in the sky, its golden light filtered by giant pines. A dog barks somewhere in the neighborhood, the sound muted and echoey. Closing my eyes, I focus on the familiar susurration of evergreen leaves and bare branches. The wind is cool, damp, and earthy in my nose.

I can’t remember the last time I felt this mentally exhausted, but it’s not the frazzled fatigue I’m used to. I feel calm. Almost peaceful.

“Beautiful evening, isn’t it?” asks Katherine.

I open my eyes and turn, finding her on a bench angled toward the sunset. Her eyes are closed, that familiar, enigmatic smile on her lips.

“It is,” I agree, making my way to her. She pats the bench and I settle beside her.

I’m still wary of whatever she has to tell me, but my initial apprehension has faded. Evangeline texted an hour ago to ask if I wanted to hang out and watch a movie tonight. I said yes, obviously, though all I plan to watch is her face when she comes.

No matter what Katherine says, it won’t change the fact Evangeline is finally mine. That she’s waiting for me right now. I can almost taste her. Smell her. My skin aches for the pinch of her nails, my ears for her strangled moans.

“I’m glad you and River were able to reconnect.”

Shifting in my seat, I glance at Katherine. Her eyes are still closed. It’s probably my imagination, but her smile looks different. Knowing. My neck heats.No way she knows what I was thinking about. Right?

I cough over my embarrassment. “Me too.”

River was smarmy and passive-aggressive toward me most of the afternoon, but at some point between hauling plates to the kitchen and loading the dishwasher, the friction smoothed. We had a long, animosity-free conversation about graffiti, tattoos, and music.

“He’s going to need you,” Katherine murmurs.

I stiffen, thoughts of Eva vanishing. “What does that mean? Is he okay?”

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