Page 12 of A Forever Love

“I-I meant internship…someplace else,” I provide, my words stumbling and tripping over each other.

Carter’s body goes rock solid beside me. “Someplace that isn’t Kings Security?” And before I can confirm, he grits, “Where?”

“Elixir Inc. in Cherrywood. Kristy visited my school during one of the career fairs, and she told me about their internship program,” I spill out in one breath.

Kristy Hawthorne is Clem’s sister-in-law, and one of the women I highly admire in our extended family.

“I didn’t even know you were considering other options.” The cool tone returns in Carter’s voice, but it sounds forced.

Or maybe it’s my wishful thinking, hoping he’s affected by the news of my departure again.

“I wasn’t. But when Kristy mentioned their plans, my interest piqued. I don’t want to move back just yet. I feel there’s still a lot out there for me.” My arms fold protectively over my chest.

“The day you moved to this campus with your family, you told me you never wanted to live anywhere else in the world.”

Carter’s words sting, a vise tightening around me, making it difficult to breathe.

I wish I didn’t have to leave.

I wish everything remained here, just as I’d believed since I was a little girl.

“That was years ago. So much has changed since then.”

“You don’t say, mittens.”

3

MERIDA

“How do I look?”

“No, this doesn’t look good. Try this one, Pop.”

The faint, hushed voices of my little sisters filter through my sleep-fogged mind, initially seeming like remnants of a happy dream. But then there’s a distinct thud, the sound of something heavy hitting the ground. I open my eyes groggily to find Sage picking up my compact. From the floor!

My pulse would be racing in my throat right now if it weren’t for the thick, plush carpet beneath her feet.

“Hey, girls,” I drawl, throwing the duvet off my head just enough that I have a clear view of the scene before me. “What are you doing up so early?”

“We’re early birds.” Poppy shrugs, clutching two of my lip glosses in her little hands.

“Did Dad call you that?”

“Yes, and then Mom said ‘Early birds eat worms for breakfast,’ so we went back to sleep.” Sage grins, proudly displaying her pearly whites.

My smile mirrors theirs. “I can totally imagine Clem saying that. What are you up to, by the way?”

“We’re doing makeup. Can we use your stuff, please? Mom doesn’t let us touch her things.” Sage asks for permission, though her face is covered in white setting powder and her lips are painted a fiery red.

Before I can answer, there’s a knock on my door, followed by Dad’s deep voice. “Mere.” The door creaks open slightly. “What’s happening?” He sets a tray with three coffee mugs onto the side table before turning toward us. “Poppy? Sage? Christ! You both look like ghosts.”

And a second later, the girls start to bawl like…well, like kids.

“Hey, hey, you look very pretty.” I bounce out of bed. “It’s just that Dad likes us best without makeup. He used to say that to me all the time.”

“He used to call you a ghost too?” Poppy asks, wiping her tears with the back of her hand but refusing to release my lip glosses.

“What can I say, he has a way with words.” I bite my lip, glancing between Dad, who heaves a huge sigh, and my sisters’ pale faces.