Page 77 of Not Until I Found You

I will only agree to that if it’s Fiona as a HUMAN!!!

Me

For the record, I was not a willing participant.

Butterfly

Lies. You are very committed.

Me

*Sends photo I took of the three of us with face masks*

Ashton

Blink twice if you’re being held hostage by an eight-year-old with nail polish.

Wren

Next time, include me on the spa day. I could use one.

Butterfly

We can have one on Tuesday night when you come over.

Wren

Can’t wait!

I look up from my phone and raise a brow at Maxinne. “You and Wren have become quick friends.”

She shrugs as if it’s not a big deal, but there’s a pleased brightness in her eyes. “Yes, we have.”

Maxinne has folded herself into the fabric of Covewood with an ease that’s hard to ignore. Wren, Olivia, Raine, and even Annabelle seem to have made a connection with her. She shows up and somehow the space around her becomes fuller. Like she belongs here without even trying.

Annabelle interrupts my thoughts by clapping her hands together.

“Okay, spa day is officially over. Now it’s movie time.”

“I need to de-green myself first,” I say, gesturing vaguely to my face. “Don’t start without me.”

I retreat to the bathroom, rinsing away the dried mask, and by the time I’m done, my jaw feels tight from smiling so much this evening. I move into the kitchen next and start preparing a charcuterie board. I cube fresh watermelon in a small ceramic bowl and place it in the middle. I add three different types of cubed cheeses, pretzels, chocolate-covered almonds, and an assortment of crackers.

By the time I carry the board back into the living room, Annabelle scoots things around to make a place on the coffee table, her eyes widening like I’ve delivered a five-star meal instead of movie snacks. I drop onto the couch, grab the bowl of watermelon, and sprinkle salt over the top of it. Maxinne gasps as if I’ve committed a crime.

“You did not just do that.”

Annabelle’s eyes widen in horror. “Yuck, salt on watermelon is gross.”

“What?” I glance between them. “It enhances the flavor.”

“It ruins it,” Maxinne says firmly. “Watermelon is supposed to be sweet.”

I hold my bowl closer to my chest. “You’re both wrong. But that’s okay. It means more for me.”

Annabelle grabs the remote and points it toward the TV. “Shh, Frozen is starting.”

She turns to Maxinne, already mid-explanation. “So, Anna is the sister, and Elsa has ice powers, but she’s sad about it, and Kristoff is my favorite.”