Page 2 of The Other Side of the Mirror

I shuddered at the thought and, as though in response, the sheet rippled like it had been moved by a phantom wind. My eyes caught on the gleaming rosettes that adorned the sides of the polished brass frame that I knew came to a point at the top, and I rubbed the matching scar on my palm. It had been one of the few things to survive the flames that night. I had stored it away ever since, until begrudgingly moving it into my new apartment last month.

The late afternoon sun reflected off the leaves of each rose, flickering like the flames that had surrounded us. My throat choked up as I remembered the smoke that had suffocated, burned?—

The buzz of my vibrating phone pulled me from my thoughts with a jolt. I blinked twice, then put the call on speaker.

“Evangeline Maris,” Quinn hissed. “How dare you be late to your own birthday party?”

I frantically checked the time on my phone. “I’m not late.”It isn’t even six yet.“I got a little lost on my hike, but I’m picking out an outfit now and then I’ll bike over. And don’t you dare full name me,” I grumbled, a little more than put out she had done so.

Only my mom had ever called me that.

Quinn Sagray had been my best friend for longer than I could remember, the two of us having been born only ten weeks apart. Our parents had been so close that we never went long without seeing each other. And whether it was because we had been raised together or something in our souls simply recognized the other’s, she was my sister in every way that mattered.

The only family I had left.

“You went hiking alone again?” The worry in her voice made me instantly feel guilty. “You told me you would text me your location the next time you did one of those.”

I winced, knowing how much she would hate to learn exactly how dangerous the trek was to the top of that rocky mountain peak…and that I hadn’t once thought to turn back, let alone warn her. Not when I had been too busy trying to outrun the memory of this day, and the family that should have been here to share it with me.

“Sorry,” I muttered. “I’ll try to remember next time.”

“You should wear that gold top, the one with the long sleeves and the sweetheart neckline,” Quinn mused. Forgiving me far too easily, as usual.

I rummaged through my closet before grabbing the top in question from a hanger, pairing it with high-waisted jeans that hugged my curves, before tucking them into my favorite black boots.

“Found it.”

Quinn hummed appreciatively. “Good. It brings out the gold in your eyes.”

Moving to the bathroom, I briefly checked myself out in the mirror. The top indeed amped up the golden flecks in my hazel eyes, which grew so numerous toward the inner edge of my irises they formed a crown around my pupils. I quickly looked away before my eyes could remind me of another’s. Reaching behind me, I pulled on the two ties that cinched the shirt, amplifying the small of my waist, then tied a bow behind my back as my cleavage tried to force its way over the low neckline. The silver star amulet I had never taken off was visible over the cut of the shirt—the top and bottom points longer than the middle four, its tiny black diamonds glittering in its center.

Opening my makeup bag, I added a little eyeshadow, mascara, and a hint of blush to my tanned skin. My dad’s Mediterranean heritage had blessed me with a permanently tan complexion, especially after this late summer. Though my chestnut-brown hair, unusual eyes, and downturned lips were a few of the only things I had left of my mom. I even took the time to curl my thick hair, tying it half up to try to keep it out of my face before adding a tinted balm to my lips.

“Clay’s not picking you up?” Quinn asked, her voice a little too innocent.

“It’s a little early for that, isn’t it?” I replied, already reluctant to start down this road. “This is basically our second date.”

“As long as he’s coming. I’m excited to meet this mystery man of yours.”

“For the love of…he’s not a mystery man. I just met him yesterday.” I sighed. “I don’t know why I even invited him to this.”

“Because you like him!” She squeaked in excitement, and I couldn’t help my answering smile. Quinn’s joy had always been contagious, even when I had been too depressed to show much of a response. “Tell me I’m wrong…”

“I only met him at the coffee spot by my old house because he ordered the same thing as me. And just because we’re both partial to matcha lattes…” I let out an exasperated huff. “He’s a good listener, and he bought me a coconut scone, but the jury’s still out on if he’s the one.”

My mouth twisted disdainfully at the thought.

“That’s not a bad beginning though.” I could hear the smile in Quinn’s voice. “And maybe a partner’s exactly what you need. Someone who can be there for you in a way I can’t,” she added wryly. “Someone who wants to go through all your battles with you.”

I was silent for a long moment, not wanting to crush the hope in her voice.

As Quinn well knew, I had never spent much effort on relationships. A few dates, hopefully good sex, and then, when they figured out the amount of emotional baggage I carried mixed with my utter unwillingness to move past the initial stages of a relationship…Either they realized I wasn’t ready to open my heart to anyone and left it at that, or I would let them down gently before there was any chance of theLword making an appearance.

It wasn’t that I didn’t think I could fall in love. But after losing my family, I didn’t know how I would ever be ready to let someone in like that. To let myself take a chance with my already fractured heart. Especially when said heart had hardened to the point that I never bothered putting in the effort to try. Why open myself up to hurt when I was perfectly fine with my life as it was—with the occasional catch and release?

“Thereissomething different about him,” I acquiesced, unwilling to get too excited but unable to forget that strange twinge I felt when I first met Clay. “Something…familiar.” I ran my fingers through my hair, my curls bouncing as I grabbed a light jacket. “Seeing if he can hold his own against you is a good test before I let him take me on a real date.”

Quinn laughed. “I look forward to putting him through the wringer of my company then.”

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