Page 58 of Imperfect Arrangement

Nori looks genuinely stumped, her eyebrows practically touching her hairline as she studies El. “No hidden passion for singing or acting?”

Elodie shakes her head, looking almost apologetic. “I think I might’ve picked the wrong card or something.”

She’s probably right. El is as classic girl next door as they come—the type who says sorry when someone bumps into her and thanks the waiter a hundred times over before leaving the restaurant. The idea of her standing up on a stage is unimaginable. She’s more of a blend-into-the-background type, totally content to be the most normal, down-to-earth person in the room.

But Nori isn’t backing down. “If a chance to do such a thing ever crosses your path, please take it. It’ll be huge, life-altering.”

“Your turn, Willow,” Violet says, giving my shoulder a pat.

“I thought we were going alphabetically.” I narrow my eyes at her.

“But you’re sitting right here.” She raises an eyebrow, practically daring me to wiggle out of it.

Fine. I can do this. Anyway, after El’s reading, my faith in Nori’s talent isn’t exactly soaring. And thank God for that, because the last thing I need is an all-knowing stranger seeing through me.

Nori’s gaze settles on me, sharp and unflinching. “You’ve had a huge change in your life recently.”

Her words hang in the air, and I shrug, as if this change is about me switching laundry powder at Whispering Willow and not pretending to be engaged to Raymond Teager.

“So how is it? Good or bad?” I ask, forcing the words out as casually as possible.

“It’sincredible, Willow! The trajectory of your future has shifted, and these people who’ve walked into your life will fill a void that’s always haunted you. The ache from past losses, from people you’ve had to watch leave…it’s finally going to be healed. These new bonds are forever.”

Holy hell. I can’t believe Nori went from tripping over Elodie’s life to reading mine with such confidence. As if she could read my thoughts, Nori’s gaze flits to Elodie, her expression almost apologetic. “I swear, this has never happened before.” And then she turns her attention back to me. “Please tell me I’m not again going astray.”

“No, you’re…not wrong. I just don’t know what to make of this change yet,” I admit slowly, trying to sound casual as my friends eye me with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. They’re loyal to a fault, so I know they won’t pry now when we have an audience.

“You have nothing to worry about,” Nori assures me with a pat on my hand before looking to Violet. “Alright, hostess, your turn.”

And the spotlight shifts.

“Finally! I thought I’d be waiting until next year.” Violet practically bounces into the spot I just vacated.

“You could’ve gone first if you were this excited,” Daisy teases from the corner of the couch.

“No way. This is the grand finale. Now Nori doesn’t have to rush.” Violet plops herself down with a grin. “Take all the time you need, Nori. I want the full breakdown—the complete future-of-Violet report.”

“I’m digging the enthusiasm.” Nori chuckles, shaking her head as Violet draws a card before laying it out with such care, you’d think it was a ticket to her dream life.

“I want to know everything, Nori,” Vi repeats. “How many kids I’m having, when I’m finally getting married.” Violet’s eyes twinkle.

But I catch the way Nori’s smile falters, her forehead creasing slightly. That’s not exactly the look you hope to see from someone about to read your future.

A prickling unease fills my stomach. “Uh…is everything okay?”

“It’s—” Nori starts.

Violet cuts in, her dramatic flair on full display. “Oh God. It’s bad, isn’t it? I’m going to die a spinster. I should just get a dozen cats already.”

“No, not that,” Nori says quickly, stopping Violet’s spiral. “I see love—a big, epic, once-in-a-lifetime love. But you have to be careful, Violet, because before you get there, you have to go through deep reformation. It’ll be like forgetting everything you are and becoming a new you.”

“Really?” Violet’s smile drops, but only by an inch. “Well…that kind of sucks. I’m really fond of myself as is.”

And she means it. Vi is one of those rare people who genuinely love who they are, flaws and all. You won’t ever find her standing in front of a mirror, wondering what could be if any of her features were leaner, chubbier, or more angular, or if her life was a bit different. It’s kind ofimpressive.

Violet looks at us, then back at Nori, flashing that signature grin again. “But you did say ‘love of a lifetime,’ right? Can you tell me a little more about him? Like what he’s gonna be like? Oh my God—he’s not a puppy, is he?”

I have no idea how Vi keeps finding the silver lining, butyou don’t become that person by accident. You have to go through life’s challenges repeatedly to develop such an innocent, positive heart.