Page 104 of Rituals & Rivalry

I slide into the seat across from hers, my face heating up. “We’re cute separately, sure, but we’re not together.”

“Why not? He has a good job. A degree. A leadership position in the coven.”

“Every mother’s dream,” I mutter, rolling my eyes playfully.

She reaches across the table and sets her hand—warm from the tea—on top of mine. “The only dream I’ve ever had for you and your brothers is for you to be happy. When I see the two of you together, you smile in a way you haven’t in years.”

I swallow thickly and nod. “I know.”

If I weren’t already accepting it for myself, hearing my mother say it would do the trick. If she can see something between Sterling and me, it must be real, but that doesn’t mean I know what to do with it.

She should understand me more. Why doesn’t she get that I don’t want to go through what she did? The love of her life died. No warning. Gone. She barely made it through, and she’s so much stronger than me.

How will I make it out alive when Sterling leaves? Maybe he won’t die. Maybe he’ll realize he wants something or someone else, and I’ll have to live with that.

“Is it worth it?” I ask. “Loving someone if you’re just going to lose them? I’ve never—I mean, I’ve never felt this way before. Not even close.”

“Listen to me.” A fire I haven’t seen in her in years blazes in her eyes. “Love is always worth it. Every time you look in the mirror, you get to see why my love was worth it. Like I am right now.”

I blink. “What do you⁠—”

“You, Aurora. All three of you. You wouldn’t exist without our love. Isn’t that worth it?”

I nod and blink away tears, looking out the window to where Sterling loads leaves into bags. My mother is sentimental, and I know I could be too, but instead I grin at her.

Breaking the tension. Desperate.

“Even Leo?” I ask.

She chuckles and shakes her head. “Yes. Even Leo. Especially him. He’s the reason I have to stick around, I think.” She sighs. “He still needs a mother. And a sister, too.”

“I know. I’m trying, but he’s a jerk sometimes.”

“Aren’t we all?”

“Probably.” I chuckle and tilt my head. “Thanks, Mom. It’s nice to have you back.”

She never really went anywhere, but she did. Into her mind. Into the memories. Now, I can feel her with me, rooted to the spot and present in our conversation. I’m almost worried to say it aloud, worried it will push her away, make her feel guilty.

But she doesn’t flinch.

She smiles too, an old one I haven’t seen in a long time. “You have no idea how good it feels to be here with you on a day like this. The sun is out. The breeze is beautiful. And you, my only daughter… you’re so happy.”

I sniffle. “I’m trying.”

“You’re succeeding. You just can’t see it yet. That’s the funny thing about the happiest times of our lives. We often don’t realize how good they were until we’re looking back. But I can see it in you. Enjoy it.”

I nod. “Yeah. I think I will.”

“It’s late,” he says as I drag him into the café, an hour before they’re set to close. “We don’t need to do this.”

“Yes, we do.” I smile at him over my shoulder as we get into line. “You worked hard in our backyard. This is the least I can do.”

“You never cared to thank me before.”

“Then I have a lot to make up for.”

I really do. He might have been annoying in the beginning, but there’s really no denying that I was as well. Coffee can’t make up for it, but it’s a good start. He steps forward in line and orders for us, and when we stroll to a little table in the corner, he pulls out my chair.