“Rebel, you can’t run away like that. I need to know where you are at all times.” The woman’s voice was harsh and loud as she spoke,

“Do you really think I don’t know when you’re flustered?”

“I just met the rudest woman I have ever seen in my life.”

“Well, when I say met, what I mean is her child ran full-on into me, fell over, and then she stomped up like Ms. Miranda Priestly and all that. She had the audacity to accuse me of hurting her kid before snagging the kiddo from my arms, turning on her heels, and leaving before I could even answer the question in the first place.”

“So she was hot, huh?”

“Oh yeah, she was hot. Was she dressed to the nines, too? You always do like a woman who takes care of herself. Those high-maintenance women.”

“But you are still determined to find your soulmate by your thirtieth birthday, right?”

know it might seem crazy, but it really isn’t. I just want to fall in love.” “I know.” Siena smiled and reached across the table to squeeze Tori’s hand, ruffling any upset she had caused. “You’ll find her. I’m just sorry I wasn’t the one.” “I’m not.” Tori grinned broadly. “I found my best friend.”

What had gone so wrong with her sister? Well, she knew the answer to that question but still hated it. No one had raised Tierney. Just like no one was raising Rebel. Why did the kid think it was okay to run around a grocery store like a lunatic? Because no one had taught her that it wasn’t okay. But that wasn’t Miranda’s job either. She was an auntie and that was it. She didn’t want to be anything more than that.

Her parents were out of the question. They were the ones who had made this mess in the first place. Miranda had seen the effects of generational trauma and abuse for years. This might not have been physical or mental abuse, but it certainly was emotional neglect.

“I guess we better find some clothes for you somewhere.”

Hopefully it wouldn’t be as bad as the last one. Because once again, everything in her family fell onto her shoulders, and she was the one who had to pick up the pieces. If only she could break the cycle of bad parenting. Maybe with Rebel she could—at least for the next three days.

She was too exhausted to cook. Parenting wasn’t something that came naturally to her, and it wasn’t anything she had ever wanted. Not after seeing the way her parents had handled it. They were the perfect example of a couple who just gave up, especially with surprise kid number two.

She did not want children, and she’d been firm on that since she was sixteen and started to raise her sister because they refused to. The first three years, Miranda had been Tierney’s primary caregiver, and when she’d gone to school to become a mortician, her parents had flipped. Not having that backup had been the end of their world. But Tierney had basically been in school by then, and they were as hands off as possible since.

Still, Tori was running short on time to find her soulmate before she turned thirty. She only had nine more months.

“I practically raised her, you know.”

“Tierney. I was sixteen when she was born, and she was an oops, massively. My parents were one and done. They liked their life, and when she was born, they wanted nothing to do with parenting, so I did it.”

can’t imagine how hard that was on you.” Tori folded a small shirt, her gaze locking on Miranda’s. That was unexpected. People usually told her she was strong when she mentioned it—if she did at all—not that it was hard. “I bet that killed whatever was left of your childhood.” “Not much there to begin with.”

“You’re a very attractive woman.” Tori cringed. She was awful at this. Miranda’s cheeks took on a rosy tinge. “Likewise.” “Hardly.” Tori grasped the topic and went with it. “You’re stunning. I’m your run of the mill soccer mom.” Humming, Miranda stepped in closer. “And what makes you think that’s not attractive?” Was this flirting?

She had left three messages for Tierney already, but resigned herself to the fact that it might be a while before her sister listened to them, let alone called back or signed the letter Miranda needed. It might push her to have to take more drastic steps when it came to custody, and that was something she had resisted for the two years since Rebel had been born.

“So, when are you going to send me photos of her birthday party?” “What?” Confusion swam through Miranda’s brain. What was Tierney even talking about? “It was her birthday, Miranda. Don’t tell me you didn’t have a party for my baby!” “I know that, Tierney.”

“So what did you end up doing?” “We didn’t really celebrate it,” Miranda said between clenched teeth. “What? My baby turned two, and you didn’t do anything?” Tierney’s pouty whine came through the line, and Miranda had images of dogs in the neighborhood all looking up in search of the sound. “Well, I didn’t want you to miss out.” Miranda slowed her voice with all the effort she could muster. “So I thought we could celebrate it a little later, once you get back home.”

She really should apologize for her outburst. Snagging her phone, she called before she could find another excuse not to. Because she would find all the excuses if given the time.

“Mommy, that’s a no-no word.”

Tori was her soulmate.

when my sister was born I was sixteen, and they decided not to parent her. They were over the whole parenting thing.” Aili hissed. “So you did it.” “And I didn’t do a very good job.” “Listen to me real quick.” Aili leaned down, resting her elbows on her knees. She made eye contact with Miranda and held it. “You weren’t supposed to raise your sister. It wasn’t your job. It wasn’t your responsibility. And just because your parents didn’t love her enough to parent her or love you enough to do what they needed to do instead of shoving it all onto the shoulders of a kid, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve love. It doesn’t mean that you can’t be happy. And it doesn’t mean that you aren’t a good parent.”

’ll talk to her. I can’t guarantee any outcomes.” “Oh, we can!” Aili slapped her thigh and laughed. “Because if she’s going to be an idiot again, I’ll come over and beat her ass myself.”

I haven’t grown up with good relationships, and my parents don’t exactly have a good relationship either. I often wonder why they’re still married, but they seem to make it work. Everything with you is so easy. And I don’t believe for a second that relationships aren’t work.”

then I got scared, because what you taught me, very subtly, very swiftly, was that vulnerability isn’t a weakness.”

“It scared the living shit out of me.” Miranda chuckled nervously, her voice floating through the air to Tori’s ears. “And I ran. Which was expected, but you know what?” “What?” Tori whispered, her breath quick as everything hinged on this moment. “I came back.” Miranda kissed her, their lips touching as she continued to talk. “You allowed me to come back. I was so wrong before. I shouldn’t have let you go.” “You still have me,” Tori murmured, moving to kiss Miranda but missing when she pulled away first. “I know I do.” Miranda skimmed her hands up Tori’s back, against her arms, over her breasts, on her hips. It was like Miranda touched everywhere at once except exactly where Tori wanted her to touch. “Take your mask off.”

“Should we get matching rings or something?”

She was never happier to be out of a conflict, and this was one she could gladly say she didn’t need to be a part of.