Page 98 of And I Love Her

Mrs. Higgins returned her smile as the instructor called the class to order. Callie focused on her canvas, adding more light and color to the sunset and creating whitecaps on the ocean. Painting was so different from the neutral, static drawings she’d always done. Her technique and the oil paints were textured, imprecise, even a bit messy, but the lack of perfection was exactly what made the entire scene come to life.

After the class ended, Callie stored her supplies in her locker and left her canvas to dry. She started home, then took a last-minute detour to Mariposa Street. Aria had sent out a group text message that she and Destiny were going to the Mousehole for drinks and dinner, if anyone wanted to join them. Callie had initially declined, but a night out would do her some good. Since she was early, she could walk over to the Mousehole with Aria.

She parked near the Vitaphone theater. The marquee displayed the name of a new romantic comedy, and a beautiful, laughing couple adorned the movie posters.

An ache pushed at her chest. It occurred to her that Jake loved movies for the same reason she loved myths—the pleasure of losing yourself in a story and finding meaning in the characters’ struggles.

No, myths didn’t often have the same happy endings as movies did—quite the opposite, in fact—but they were an escape, a dream, a refuge. They contained essential truths, fears, and hopes about life.

About change.

About love.

As Callie approached Meow and Then, two cats blinked at her from the lighted window. Behind them, Hunter was sprawled on the sofa with a laptop.

The lounge door opened, and Aria entered. She stopped beside him and ran her hand over his hair. He caught her wrist, tugging her closer for a prolonged kiss.

Callie stopped. Had she ever seen her sister so happy? Aria had always been both carefree and careless, and her breezy attitude never failed to endear her to people. But she’d also done an excellent job of hiding the pain that had sent her into a terrible relationship. One that none of them had sensed.

Callie’s heart constricted. She hated that she’d let her perception of Aria obscure her instinct that something was wrong. Because of her “blinders,” she hadn’t been there to protect her little sister when Aria needed her the most.

She also hadn’t acknowledged all the wonderful things her sister exemplified—adventure, trying, failing, and trying again, the joy of discovery and new beginnings. Callie had always thought that being a butterfly meant you were flakey and inconstant. She’d forgotten how beautiful butterflies were.

What else had she missed on her straight, narrow path? Wildflowers and sunlight. Dragons. Pink shoes and red, polka-dot blouses. Hot fudge sundaes served in gallon-sized bowls. Skinny-dipping. Carving her initials into wet concrete with her sisters.

You’re thirty-two going on eighty.

Aria’s remark came back to her.

No, she was thirty-two going on thirty-three. She had plenty of years left to live in full, blossoming color.

She let out her breath in a long sigh. As far as motherly meddlings went, she supposed she could understand why Eleanor wanted her “distracted” so she could pursue a new relationship. Her mother and Aria were both walking clear-eyed into futures filled with possibilities and love.

Callie now wanted to do the same thing. She only wished she knewhow.

But maybe there were no directions. No map. Maybe sometimes you just had to close your eyes and leap.

Hitching her purse over her shoulder, she entered the café. Hunter set down his laptop and stood to greet her.

“Any word on your tenure yet?” He collected a bunch of papers from the coffee table.

“Not yet.” Callie sat on the sofa. “Hopefully I’ll hear something tomorrow. Are you coming with us tonight?”

“No, I have some work to finish up, but have a great time.” After tucking the papers and laptop under his arm, Hunter bent to pick up Fang. “Let us know when you hear the good news.”

“I will, thanks.”

Callie was pleased by his interest—not only in her tenure, but in all of Bliss Cove. He was a good guy. Rory had sensed it from the beginning. Time for Callie to get fully on board with the fact that not only was Hunter here to stay, he and Aria might really be each other’sOne True Love.

Hunter said goodbye and kissed Aria again, then headed upstairs to the room above the café. Aria crouched to coax Kit out of a hideaway, gathering the skinny cat into her arms.

“Don’t even,” Callie muttered.

“Come on, you know you’re lonely without your action hero.” Aria plunked Kit into Callie’s lap. “Look at how much he loves you.”

Kit glowered at Callie and snagged his claws on her silk blouse. Making an effort to ignore him, Callie looked at her sister. “Aria, I’m sorry.”

“What for?” Aria brought a bin of dirty dishes over to the sink.

---