Page 29 of Better Than Expected

And she was really, really nervous about messing with perfection. Because to Hannah? Good things – perfect things – felt tenuous. And she was so very wary of what could come next.

August 8 – This Year

“Idon’t know about you, but I miss the cupcake birthday party,” Caroline said through a huff of breath as she put her hands on her waist and tilted her head up at the lanterns she’d hung up around her yard.

“Hey, at least it’s for a book,” Hannah cajoled and blew out a breath as she put her hands on her own hips and looked around. “A book-themed party – could be a lot worse.”

A slow smile pulled at Caroline’s mouth. “Yeah, you aren’t wrong.” She turned and gave Abbie a warm smile, and Hannah didn’t even think she realized she was doing it. As always, that warmed Hannah.

“Plus, the book was pretty good.”

Hannah lifted her eyebrows in surprise. “You read it?”

The it in question was Divinity by Blair St. James, about a thirteen-year-old girl who uncovers a world of immortals. Abbie had been obsessed since Norah loaned her a copy on the Fourth of July.

Hannah knew that the book wasn’t hugely popular, so she did wonder if Abbie’s friends would even know what they were walking into tomorrow. But she mostly hoped it didn’t have a negative effect on the big day.

“It’s all Abbie’s talked about for the last three weeks; color me intrigued. I read Blair St. James’ Ivy Abrams books when Melissa was really into them a few years ago, and she’s a pretty good writer. If she had an adult series, I’d read it in a heartbeat.” She shrugged, before she let out a light laugh. “I don’t know what it says about me that I barely have time to read in my free time, but when I do, I read books intended for pre-teens and children.”

“I think it mostly says that you care about relating to the kids in your life that you care about,” Hannah said softly, admiring the curve of Caroline’s cheekbone in the way the sunset reflected off her light summer tan.

“Caroline! Mom! Look – I got the fence to look like the gateway into the Evermore!” Abbie called from across the yard.

They’d been decorating Caroline’s yard for all of the materials that would be fine overnight, before Abbie held her party tomorrow in Caroline’s backyard. Which they were making into the Evermore, aka the place the Divine beings lived in the book.

It was, admittedly, a decent amount of work. But Abbie was thrilled and had been doing a lot of the groundwork for the design and the ideas for materials herself. Hannah was pretty proud of that, actually.

“Might I also remind you that you had the idea for the book theme and to have it in your own yard?” She nudged Caroline’s shoulder with her own as they walked over to see Abbie’s latest in décor, and then stayed close enough to just touch Caroline, feeling her body heat.

It didn’t matter that the night was already warm and a little humid. She liked the closeness. Caroline, she thought, did too.

“This looks so cool, Abbacado,” Caroline commented, and Hannah could hear the genuine tone.

“It really does, honey.” It really did. Her daughter, the genius.

“Thanks!” Abbie bounced on her feet a bit in her excitement.

“I’m thinking we should call it a night, though. Getting late, and we have a ginormous day tomorrow,” Caroline wiggled her eyebrows as she spoke the thoughts on Hannah’s mind.

As they carried the remainder of the decorations inside to finish in the morning, Abbie hummed before asking, “Would you want to be a Divine? Like, live forever?”

“Depends,” Caroline answered thoughtfully, tapping on her chin. “Do I have you two?”

Abbie nodded in affirmation, and Caroline checked her with her hip as they entered the kitchen through the back slider. “Then, I’m down. Where do I sign up?”

She was using that tone, the light and joking one she often used with Abbie. But there was a truth in those words that slithered through Hannah’s stomach with unease.

The word forever did that to her.

“You didn’t answer, Mom,” Abbie turned her gaze to Hannah.

Who placed her hand on the top of her daughter’s head and tilted it back to look into bright blue eyes. “I’m already going to love you forever and ever, honey.” She smiled when Abbie gave her the look that said you’re killing me. “Why don’t you go get ready for bed?”

They were spending the night at Caroline’s so they could get up early and get ready for the party. And Abbie never made it any secret how much she loved when they had a sleepover at Caroline’s.

Tonight was no different; Abbie let out a whoop of excitement as she turned from the room and scampered upstairs, singing about her party.

“That was an interesting answer.”

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