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As I lay back and closed my eyes, a feeling of genuine contentment washed over me. It had been a dramatic few weeks, but there was nothing more calming than the feeling of being back where I belonged, at home with my mom, and I soon fell into peaceful sleep myself.

CHAPTERELEVEN

“Isee a handsome man in your future…”

“Go on,” Anna said. Her eyes were wide, and she leaned forward as she clung to every word coming out of Norma’s mouth.

We were having breakfast in the café, and Norma had sat down with us immediately. She’d wasted no time in giving me a crushing hug before turning to Cress and Anna. She’d barely learned their names before she was telling their fortune. Cress hadn’t stopped smiling since Norma told her that her heart was in the right place for love and, if she was open to it, there would be “many pleasures” ahead. Anna had been sitting on the edge of her seat ever since, desperate to hear Norma’s predictions for her own future.

“He’s tall and muscular with hair the color of sand.”

Anna grinned and started rubbing her hands together. “Just my type.”

“Yes,” Norma agreed. “But I foresee a bumpy road for you as a couple.”

“Wait, what?” Anna’s shoulders slouched. “What does that mean?”

“It probably means you’re going to torment the poor boy, whoever he is,” Cress said with a laugh.

“That sounds about right,” Anna grumbled before turning to Norma once more. “Why couldn’t you tell me some sexy man is going to sweep me off my stilettos and carry me off into the sunset?”

Norma lifted an eyebrow at her. “I didn’t say that’snotwhat’s going to happen, did I?”

Anna’s lips twisted in a sly smirk. “Good. Do Isobel next.”

“Uh, I don’t think I need my fortune told today,” I said. “I’m quite happy in the present.”

Norma smiled and nodded. “I can see that. I will tell you one thing though…”

“Which is…” I asked.

“Always trust your heart.” She gave me a smile and sighed. “All this talk of love’s got me wishing I had a little of my own.”

“You don’t have someone special?” Cress asked.

Norma shook her head.

“But what about in your future?” Anna said. “Surely you can see that.”

“Oh, well,” Norma replied. “The future’s a different matter. I’ll have love. He’s just taking his sweet time realizing I’m the one.” She was clearly talking about Frank.

“Well, make him realize,” Anna replied. “You can’t wait around for a guy forever. For all you know, he’ll never figure it out. Maybe he’ll even move on with someone else.”

“Move on?” Norma’s voice was alarmed, and she started to frown. “He wouldn’t, would he?” She looked thoughtful as she murmured to herself. It might have been the first time she’d ever considered that her love for Frank might go unrequited forever.

Her attention was pulled away as she glanced up at some customers who’d just entered the café. “I better go take their orders. I’ll see you girls later.”

Anna watched with awe as Norma walked away from the table. “She. Is. Awesome!” she gasped. “I can’t believe there’s a real psychic working at your mom’s café.”

“Real psychic?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow. “Norma doesn’t really have a history of accurate predictions.”

“They sounded totally legit to me,” Anna said. “What do you think, Cress?”

“Well, I definitely liked the sound of my future.” Cress smiled, but she wasn’t looking at Anna. Instead, her focus was on the cup of coffee she had her hands wrapped around. She was staring into it as though it might somehow confirm or disprove Norma’s predictions.

“Do you think she was talking about Kaden? She has to be talking about Kaden, right?” Cress asked when she looked at us again.

“Definitely,” Anna agreed. “I’m pretty jealous of themany pleasuresthat lie ahead of you.” She gave Cress a wink, and Cress’s cheeks went bright pink.