Wing of Fire (Paranormal Dating Agency #101)
Chapter 1 Isla
ONE
ISLA
The afternoon sun streamed through the windows of Fairy Tales & Tea, casting golden rectangles across the hardwood floors where Isla Quinn meticulously arranged the author signing area.
She smoothed the cream-colored tablecloth one more time before carefully stacking copies of Destiny and Desire Forever, their glossy covers catching the light like promises waiting to be kept.
Her fingers traced the spine of the top book, and warmth bloomed in her chest. Jasmine Skye understood what love could be—should be. The kind that swept you off your feet and held you there, safe and cherished, for the rest of your days.
Isla stepped back to adjust the banner hanging behind the signing table, its elegant script proclaiming one of Jasmine’s most beloved quotes: “True love doesn’t find you when you’re ready—it finds you when you need it most.”
The words sent a familiar flutter through her stomach, the same sensation she’d felt watching her parents dance in their kitchen on random Tuesday nights, her father’s hand gentle on her mother’s waist as Eleanor laughed at something only they understood.
That’s what she wanted. That bone-deep knowing that someone would choose her every single day.
“Oh good grief.” Harper’s voice carried across the store, dry amusement threading through her words. “You’re practically glowing. Should I start preparing now for you to ask Jasmine to sign every single book you own?”
Isla turned to find her best friend approaching with an armload of fresh tea service supplies, her dark hair escaping from its messy bun.
“What’s wrong with being a devoted fan of a brilliant romance writer?”
Harper set the supplies on the counter with a soft clink of ceramic. “Nothing’s wrong with being a fan. What’s concerning is how you act like everything Jasmine writes about is actually real.”
“It can be.” The words came out more defensive than Isla intended. She straightened a chair that didn’t need straightening, her hazel eyes shifting to green in the afternoon light. “True love exists. My parents had it.”
“Isla...”
“Their love story was straight out of one of these books, Harper.” Isla’s voice softened. “My dad used to say my mom was the missing piece of his soul, and she’d just smile and tell him he was being ridiculous. But then she’d get this look—like she knew exactly what he meant.”
Harper’s expression gentled, but concern flickered beneath the surface. “Your parents’ love was special, and it’s still heartbreaking that your mother passed from grief after your father lost his battle with cancer.”
The familiar ache pressed against Isla’s ribs, but she lifted her chin. “I miss them every single day. But I know they would want me to live fully. To find happiness and my own love story. They’d want me to believe it’s possible.”
“I really thought Chad was going to be that for you.” Harper’s voice dropped, carefully neutral. “You two seemed so happy for a while there.”
Isla’s hands stilled on the books. Chad’s name hit like ice water, dousing the warm anticipation she’d been nurturing all afternoon.
She didn’t want to think about his charming smile that had fooled everyone—including her for far too long.
Didn’t want to remember how perfectly he’d played the role of devoted boyfriend while secretly meeting other women behind her back.
“Chad was a valuable lesson that not all attractive, charming men are actually Prince Charming.” Isla’s voice turned crisp. “Some of them are just very good actors who turn out to be cheating jerks.”
Harper winced. “I’m still sorry I had to be the one to catch him at that restaurant with another woman. I hated breaking that news to you.”
“I’m not angry with you for that. You did what a true friend does.” Isla managed a genuine smile. “Everything happens for a reason, right? Maybe I just needed to learn to not always be so trusting.”
The bell above the front door chimed, and both women turned as Jasmine Skye swept into the store like a romance heroine herself. Her golden hair caught the light, and her warm smile immediately filled the space with infectious energy.
“Ladies! Thank you so much for hosting me today. This place is absolutely magical.”
Isla’s melancholy evaporated as she hurried forward. “Jasmine, welcome! We’re thrilled to have you here. I have to confess, I’m one of your biggest fans.”
“Well, I can already tell this is going to be wonderful.” Jasmine’s eyes twinkled as she took in the carefully arranged setup and the overall ambience of the bookstore. “You’ve created the perfect atmosphere for book lovers.”
As they helped Jasmine settle at the signing table, adjusting the chair and ensuring she had everything she needed, Isla felt a flutter of excitement. Through the windows, she could see fans already gathering on the sidewalk, clutching well-loved copies of Jasmine’s books.
“Isla, thank you again for this opportunity,” Jasmine said, reaching into her bag. “I have something for you.” She pulled out a pristine copy of Destiny and Desire Forever and signed the title page with a flourish before handing it to Isla.
Isla accepted the book like a treasure, her fingers trembling slightly as she read the inscription. “Thank you so much. I hope someday I’ll find a love like the ones you write about.”
Jasmine’s smile turned mysterious, almost knowing. “You will, dear. I have the very best feeling about it.”
The front door opened again, and the first wave of excited fans began filtering into the store. Harper immediately shifted into her practical mode, directing the growing crowd with efficient warmth while Isla moved toward the register area.
As she watched Jasmine greet her first readers, Isla clutched the signed book to her chest and let herself believe—just for a moment—that somewhere out there, her own love story was waiting to unfold.
Thirty minutes later, the afternoon crowd had thinned, and Harper was still handling Jasmine’s book signing, leaving Isla free to wander through the familiar maze of bookshelves that formed the heart of Fairy Tales & Tea.
She moved with practiced grace between the narrow aisles, her fingers trailing along worn spines as she searched for books that had shifted during the day’s browsing.
The scent of vanilla and old paper wrapped around her like a favorite sweater, grounding her in the rhythm of these small adjustments that kept her world orderly.
Near the contemporary romance section, she spotted a copy of The Duke’s Forbidden Desire wedged sideways between two thicker volumes on the top shelf. Standing on her tiptoes, she stretched toward the rebellious book, her green dress riding up slightly as she reached.
“Excuse me, dear.”