Viv:
There was something sacred about watching the girls wake up without fear in their eyes.
Callie was already at the coffee pot, humming as she poured two mugs—one for her and one for me. Sadie shuffled in behind her, her wild curls sticking up in every direction, yawning so big her eyes watered. Mica and Gia were in the hall, whispering about outfits like they were heading to prom instead of a casual job hunt. And Beth? She was brushing her teeth to music, dancing around in socks.
It was peaceful.
It was real.
And it nearly brought me to tears.
“Today’s the day,” I said, smiling over my mug. “Y’all ready to charm the hell out of this little town?”
Callie grinned. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Gia held up a pair of flats. “Too much?”
“Perfect,” I said.
We piled into the car after br
