Chapter 1
T he clock on the stove read 9:30 p.m. when I walked through the door of my modest single-story brick home. I kicked off my shoes and stretched my arms above my head, letting out a yawn. The kitchen was dark, lit only by the faint glow from the streetlights filtering through the blinds.
I made my way over to the fridge, finding a carryout container of my favorite chicken Alfredo from the Italian restaurant down the street. Mom had texted earlier, letting me know she’d picked up dinner after a long shift at the hospital.
As the food warmed in the microwave and the scent of garlic and creamy Alfredo filled the kitchen, the sound of the television was playing from the other room. After pulling out the food from the microwave and grabbing a fork, I made my way into the living room.
There, curled up in her usual spot on the couch, was Mom, cozy in her pajamas, and wrapped snugly in a blanket. Her blonde curls—a stark contrast to my straight dark brown hair—were pulled back into a messy bun away from her youthful face.
She was completely absorbed in the new reality show she had been raving about for days.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of her, eyes glued to the screen and a huge grin lighting her face. She was so lost in the drama unfolding on her show, she hadn’t even realized her daughter was home again until she heard me laughing.
Her eyes finally broke away from the TV, and she looked up at me, still grinning widely. “You’ve got to see the new guy—Chuck—they’ve brought on this week.”
Before I could even respond, the remote was already in her hand, rewinding the episode.
“He’s so weird!” she exclaimed. “Just wait until you hear what he says to Karla as soon as he gets to the mansion.”
I shook my head, smiling, making my way over to sit down next to her on the worn but still comfortable gray sofa. Tugging at the blanket on her lap, I pulled it over mine too. As I took a bite of food, my eyes focused on the screen just in time to watch Chuck appear. I nearly choked with laughter when he opened his mouth and sang—horribly, I might add—to Karla.
The scene ended and she paused the show, setting the remote down on the side table before turning to me. “So, how was tonight?”
I leaned into her, laid my head against her shoulder, and let out a long sigh.
“It was fine. The triplets were as wild as ever. Oh, but Mrs. Bryson gave me an extra twenty dollars for the fact she got back a few minutes late.”
After my first year at community college, I’d been filling my summer with babysitting and pet-sitting jobs, determined to save up for the next semester myself.
If only I could ease Mom’s financial burden a little …
“Was this your last job until we get back from the beach?” she asked.
“Yep!” I lifted my head, grinning at her.
Her smile mirrored mine. “I worked my last shift tonight, too. God, I can’t wait to have two full weeks off.” She drummed her fingers on her lap. “I thought we could kick things off tomorrow by hitting the bookstore and picking up a few new books for our trip. Then we could grab lunch across the street at that little café you love.”
My eyes lit up. “That sounds amazing.”
Mom let out a long yawn. “Wanna watch one more episode with me before bed?”
“Of course.”
I smiled, handing her my empty plate, which clinked as she set it down on the table beside her. She reached for something else from the tabletop, and I squealed as she handed me a bag of our favorite chocolate and caramel popcorn.
It was the popcorn they only sold at a store an hour from here.
She pressed play on the forty-five-minute episode, and we shared the popcorn as we laughed at the awkward contestants on the dating show.
About halfway in, it struck me that it was strange to be the only one still laughing. It wasn’t until handing Mom the bag of popcorn that I realized she’d fallen asleep.
I nudged her gently. “Mom, go get in bed.”
Her head jerked up, eyes fluttering open briefly before closing again. “Why?” she mumbled.
“Because you fell asleep.” I chuckled.
“I did not fall asleep—I have been watching the entire time,” she weakly protested.
For some reason I couldn’t explain, Mom and I had this thing where we could never admit if one of us had fallen asleep while watching TV together.
I looked at her and rolled my eyes. “The episode’s over. Go to bed.”
She glanced at the dark screen.
“I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“It’s fine, Mom. You’re exhausted and we have the next two weeks to hang out anyway.” I stretched my arms out in front of me before standing, offering her my hand.
She grabbed it and stood, nearly colliding with the wall on her way to her bedroom. “I love you, Rey,” she yelled back.
“I love you too, Mom.” Her door shut softly.
I took my plate and the popcorn to the kitchen and ran a load of dishes before heading to my own room.
***
Grabbing my phone, I squinted at the brightly lit screen through tired eyes. Shit. It was 2 a.m. and I had been playing Conquest for hours.
After every round, I promised myself, just one more game. But I won every match, and having absolutely zero self-control, I couldn’t ever resist diving into the next round.
Conquest was a super popular video game that had taken off during my freshman year of high school. All the guys at school had been obsessed with it, an intense multiplayer battle game where groups of players competed in an assortment of arenas until only one player remained. My best friends, Lucy and Tyson, blonde-haired and blue-eyed twins, had begged me to join our district as an anonymous player.
Thanks to exceptional hand-eye coordination, I held the high score on nearly every game at Bernie’s, the local arcade-bar in our small town. The three of us spent every spare moment there.
After weeks of them pestering me, I’d finally given in to the twins and joined the game under the randomly generated name, Joyfulsquid. In a matter of weeks, that player became a legend at school, dominating the leaderboards in every category.
So, the whole school wanted to know: who was Joyfulsquid?
The question quickly became the school’s greatest mystery. No one would ever have guessed it was the awkward shy girl, the one who mostly kept to herself.
After yawning for the third time in the last few minutes, I shut down the game and headed to bed. Falling backward into the softness of my mattress, a jolt of excitement shot through me. In only five days’ time, I would be turning twenty-one, and Mom was taking me to Linden Beach, our first time ever seeing the ocean. Money had always been tight growing up, so this vacation would be more than just a getaway for us both; it was a dream for which we’d been saving, a trip we’d been planning for years. I tossed and turned in bed for what felt like an eternity, thoughts of sand and crashing waves filling my mind until eventually, sleep came to claim me.
***
“Areya.” Mom’s voice sang through the room.
I blinked against the sunlight slipping in through the blinds and found Mom standing in the doorway, fully dressed, her wild blonde curls tumbling around her face in an untamed halo seeming to catch every glimmer of light.
“Areya, wake up. If you start getting ready now, we might make it to the bookstore before midnight,” she teased.
Remembering today’s plans, I jumped out of bed. “I’ll be quick, I promise.”
Excitement buzzed through me as I rushed to the bathroom to get ready. The bookstore was my sanctuary, a haven filled with enchanting stories of magic, faraway worlds, and epic love, all waiting to be discovered. It was easily one of my favorite places in the entire world, and living in a small town nearly an hour away meant visits were rare.
Having already showered last night, all I needed to do was brush my teeth and wash my face.
Should I put makeup on?
No, I decided against it since it would be just Mom and me. Surely, I wouldn’t run into anyone I knew. I slipped into a pair of comfy gray shorts, purple tank top, and white sneakers. My hair went up in a messy bun and I was ready to go in record time.
Seeing me in the kitchen, Mom raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by my speed.
Climbing into the passenger seat of the car, I smiled, spotting the purple travel mug waiting for me in the cup holder next to Mom’s matching pink one. They were both steaming.
I lifted it to my nose, savoring the aroma of coffee blended with my favorite coconut creamer. “You’re the best,” I mumbled to Mom, delighting in sipping the sweet coffee.
“Audiobook?” she asked with a smile.
“Of course.” I was already pulling up the next chapter on my phone.
We were in the middle of an amazing fantasy series, one filled with fairies, magic, and all sorts of wonderful things. As the soothing voice of the female narrator filled the car, it felt like being transported into another world. The hour-long trip flew by as we listened and sipped our drinks. Before I knew it, the car slowed and we pulled into The Meadow, a charming outdoor shopping center nestled around a lovely park with a sparkling pond and winding paths.
Mom found a place in the lot closest to the giant bookstore and after stepping out of the car, I basked in the warmth of the sun against my skin. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, a beautiful summer day with a gentle breeze keeping the heat at bay. No wonder The Meadow was so busy! Families bustled around us, some with bags, others laughing and dining at outdoor cafes, all enjoying their day off. It was a good thing Mom had called ahead to make reservations at my own favorite restaurant across from the bookstore.
“This is so exciting!” I beamed at Mom, unable to contain my enthusiasm. The day felt perfect already, charged with the anticipation of our vacation just around the corner.
She wrapped an arm around my shoulder, giving it a warm, affectionate squeeze.
“It’s the first official day of our vacation,” she said, a soft smile lighting her face. “Tomorrow, we pack, then we can kick back and relax before heading out the next morning.”
I couldn’t stop smiling, practically skipping to the bookstore.
The walk only took a few minutes and soon, we were standing in front of the massive glass doors of “Books ‘n’ More.” But this wasn’t any ordinary bookstore.
The building itself took up an entire block of The Meadow, rising three stories high. Mom and I could get lost inside for hours and still barely make it through half of the store.
We stepped inside, immediately diving into the rows of new releases displayed near the entrance. I picked up a book here and there, reading the back covers, flipping through the pages.
At some point, I wandered away to find myself in the fantasy section.
My fingers trailed along shelves as I scanned the titles, many of which I had already read. Then something shiny caught my eye, a cover with vibrant purple and silver hues.
I pulled it off the shelf and flipped it to read the description. The story followed a girl who discovered she was a werewolf, becoming a member of a legendary pack and then finding herself in the middle of a love triangle between herself, the Alpha, and a fairy. Perfect! It was the first in a four-part series, so naturally, I grabbed the first two and set off to find Mom.
After a few minutes of wandering, there stood Mom, browsing the romance section. “Find something smutty to read?” I raised a brow.
Her eyes widened, darting around as she checked to make sure no one had heard.
“Areya!” she hissed, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of pink. Once sure no one was nearby, she sheepishly flashed me the cover of a book she had been clutching against her chest.
I couldn’t contain the laughter bursting out of me, taking in the book in her arms.
It was titled The Last Wolf and on the front cover stood a very sexy, very shirtless man who I could only assume was the wolf in question.
Mom blushed even harder. “What?” she said with a laugh of her own. “It’s got a good plot!”
Still chuckling, I showed her my own chosen books. “I found something, too.”
Her eyes lit up as she looked over the back cover.
“Oh, these look really good! I’ll have to read them when you’re finished.”
Mom and I shared remarkably similar tastes in books.
She always told me my passion for fantasy had come from my birth mother, Everleigh, who had been her best friend. Everleigh was young when she gave birth to me, and after a tragic accident had taken my father’s life, Mom had insisted she and Everleigh live together.
Everleigh learned she was really sick just months before my fifth birthday. Of course, being so close, she’d asked Mom if she would adopt me and raise me as her own after she passed.
Mom didn’t hesitate, and from what she told me, losing Everleigh devastated me too, leaving me barely speaking a word the entire year after my birth mom passed.
“We should hurry and check out,” Mom said, pulling me back to the present. Our reservation is in fifteen minutes.”
I handed her my books, and after she’d paid for everything, we left the bookstore and strolled to the café across the street.
The day was too beautiful to pass up, so we opted for a table outside with a perfect view of the park. A waiter brought us a basket of bread and drinks before taking our order.
As we waited, I tilted my head back, closed my eyes and let the warmth of the sun kiss my face. The gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers, and a wave of relaxation washed over me. I imagined coming back from the beach refreshed and with a golden tan.
The gentle sounds of a child’s laughter drew my attention, causing me to glance across the way toward the park. A mother and daughter stood at the edge of the pond, tossing bits of bread to the ducks. Mom and I used to do the exact same thing; the memory was still alive in my mind.
“I can’t believe you’ll be twenty-one in less than a week,” Mom said, pulling my attention back to her. She was wearing that soft sentimental look; it made me feel she was still seeing me as her little girl.
“Don’t expect me to pack up and move out,” I teased.
“I wouldn’t allow it.” She smiled. “Have you come any closer to deciding what you want to study in college?”
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. The truth was, I’d been wrestling with that question for a while now. Last year, I’d stuck to the basic required classes, hoping something would eventually stand out. But there’d still been no pull in any direction, and it scared me.
“I’m still torn.” My voice quietened. “I love working with children … but I know it’s not the most lucrative career path.”
Mom’s eyes softened and she leaned forward.
“Areya, you have to make this decision with your heart. You’ll never be truly happy if you turn down something you love just because it won’t make you rich.”
She was right. It’s just that I had spent my whole life watching her nearly work herself to death to give me a good life. We’d never been wealthy, but she’d made sure I had everything I needed—and often things I didn’t need but wanted anyway.
Employed as a nurse at the local hospital, she worked long shifts, often overtime too, and even when the toll it took on her was clear, she never complained.
Watching a tiny bird peck at the ground near our table, I caught sight of an attractive blonde guy about my age walking down the sidewalk, passing just a few feet from where we were sitting. From the corner of my eye, it was impossible not to notice him.
His eyes flicked to mine, making me quickly look away, though sensing his gaze lingering.
My cheeks burned red under the knowing gaze of my mother’s eyes.
“Well, he was cute,” she said innocently enough.
I playfully kicked her leg under the table, then groaned, covering my face with my hands.
“Mom, I look dreadful. I didn’t even wear makeup today.”
“Areya Bennett!” she scolded me. “First of all, you always look beautiful. You’re gorgeous inside and out, and whatever that random guy thinks about you neither adds to nor takes away from your worth.”
I rolled my eyes. “What about you, Mom? That cashier at the bookstore couldn’t stop making googly eyes at you either!” Now it was her turn to blush, her cheeks turning the same shade of pink as mine, one thing I’d definitely “inherited” from her.
“Oh, stop!” She waved me off, though her smile was giving her away. “He was not.”
I chuckled, watching her rummage through her purse for something.
After a moment, she pulled out a small rectangular box wrapped in shiny silver paper.
“Your birthday isn’t for a few days, but I figured you’d like to have this before the trip,” she said, handing me the box with a small smile. She never could resist giving me early gifts.
I took it from her and tore away the paper, my stomach dropping as I recognized the brand and logo on the box. I carefully opened the lid, revealing a stunning pair of designer sunglasses—a very expensive pair. They were the same ones I’d been ogling a few weeks ago when we’d gone into a store to look around for fun, knowing everything in there was out of our price range.
“Holy crap, Mom! How did you even get these?” I turned the sunglasses in my hands, admiring the tiny signature logo etched on the sides. I’d never owned anything like these before.
“You’re turning twenty-one.” She smiled. “It calls for something special.”
Tears pricked at the back of my eyes. How many countless hours of overtime had she been working the past few weeks, just to pay for these glasses?
“I love them so much, Mom, but you really shouldn’t have.”
Overwhelmed, I stood up, walked around the table, and wrapped my arms tightly around her from behind. I held on—not just for the sunglasses but for all of the little things she had done for me over all these years, the sacrifices she never complained about.
“I love you, Areya,” she said, patting my arm.
I returned to my seat, wiping my eyes, loving the smile she wore—the one telling me she was beyond pleased with herself for picking out something I adored so much.
“You’ll get the rest of your gifts on your actual birthday,” she added. “And something special from your other mother.”
Every year, on my birthday, Mom gave me a letter from Everleigh along with a small gift my birth mother had picked out for me before she passed.
On my eighteenth, I’d received a delicate silver bracelet with a note saying, ‘Whenever you wear this, remember how much I love you.’
Mom had also given me a bracelet that year, identical in style but made of gold.
She and Everleigh had picked the pieces out together and since that day, I had been wearing both bracelets on my left wrist as a tribute to my two loving moms.
Lost in thought, I reached for my phone and removed its lilac case, pulling out the worn photo I kept hidden there. It was a picture of Everleigh holding me when I was about two years old.
We were both smiling, and in the photo, she looked nearly the same age as I was now, her face full of joy as she hugged me close.
As much as Mom and I looked like complete opposites, Everleigh could have been my twin. We shared the same warm skin tone, straight dark hair, and gentle oval face.
I stared at the photo for a moment before tucking it back behind my phone. Looking at the screen again, I noticed a text from Tyson:
‘Meet at Bernie’s, say, eight p.m., to hang out before your vacation?’
I glanced up. “Mom, do you mind if I meet Lucy and Tyson at Bernie’s for a few hours?”
“Sure, go ahead. Just be home at a decent time, or you know I’ll be up worrying.”
I grinned, nodding, then quickly texted Tyson back to confirm.
“When I get home, we should definitely watch the next episode of Romance Manor,” I added, glancing up at Mom with a smile.
Her face lit up, a wide grin spreading across her lips.
The waiter brought our food, and as we started eating, I couldn’t help but notice Mom giving me an odd look every few minutes.
After the third glance, I set my fork down and narrowed my eyes. “What is it?”
She smiled, shaking her head. “It’s nothing …”
Who was she kidding? Mom was terrible at keeping secrets, especially when she was excited. So, I crossed my arms and sat there, staring her down, knowing she was about to let slip whatever she was hiding.
She tried to fight back a grin, finally caving. “I might have booked something for us to do the day after we get to Linden Beach,” she said, holding back her excitement. “But I’m not saying what.”
“That’s nice.” I deliberately appeared disinterested, picking up my fork, poking at my salad.
Mom let out a small huff. “Ok! Guess I’ll tell you.”
I’d cracked her, a grin spreading across my face. “Oh, go on then. If you insist.”
She leaned in a little, her voice bubbling with excitement. “So, I may have booked us a session to go swimming with dolphins.” Her eyes sparkled, waiting for my reaction.
“No way. Are you serious? Like in the water, with actual dolphins?”
She nodded excitedly, her curls bouncing all over the place.
“Ok, that is freaking cool, Mom!”
She wore a smug, satisfied smile, clearly pleased with herself as she dug into her lunch.
I definitely had the coolest mom. We spent the rest of the meal giddily chatting and making plans for our trip, mapping out all the things we wanted to do after our twelve-hour drive.
***
As we made our way to the parking lot, we passed by a photo booth.
“Oh, let’s get a photo, Mom!”
She gave me a look, wrinkling her nose the way she always did whenever the idea of being in front of a camera came up.Mom had never been a fan of taking photos.
“Please … for my birthday,” I added. “Do it for me.”
With an exaggerated sigh, she gave in, so we squeezed into the booth and what started as a quick photo session soon turned into nearly twenty minutes of chaos and laughter.
By the time we stepped out, we were both in tears from laughing so hard, our sides aching.
I grabbed the freshly printed photos, flipping through them as we caught our breath. One stood out as my favorite, our faces caught mid-laugh, completely unposed, real. I folded it and slid it in the case behind my phone next to the picture of Everleigh holding me.
Two snapshots of the two most important women in my life.