A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

If that's really how things are, then maybe it's time for Mavis to finally let go.

Either way, once this holiday is over, she and Uriah need to have made some kind of progress.

Calliope had already talked it over with Norton, too.

After some discussion, they decided to go with Norton's plan: he'd pretend to pursue Mavis, just to see if Uriah would react at all. Maybe with Mavis spending more time around Norton, they could finally figure out what Uriah really felt.

When it came time for the group trip, they'd have Silas invite Uriah along, make sure he was included. Then they'd see how he acted.

"Yeah," Mavis said, her voice carrying that unmistakable hint of disappointment.

She'd probably been hoping Uriah would show some sign of jealousy, maybe even refuse to go along with the plan. Not because he liked her, necessarily, but at least because he didn't like her being with someone else.

But Uriah didn't react at all. Which pretty much proved he didn't care who she was with.

Maybe, even if they used Norton to try and make him jealous, Uriah would just stay indifferent, and in the end, she'd only embarrass herself.

Mavis lowered her eyes. She

later, Uriah walked in, smelling of cigarette smoke. He glanced over at

second, it looked like he might head her way, but in the end, he hesitated and turned

herself, thinking he was about to say something. But nope, he just

didn't care. Maybe she could pick any guy in the world, and it wouldn't matter to

as midnight struck, the neighborhood exploded with the sounds

the lawns and porches, setting off Roman candles

down, folks started heading

stayed

guest room for Mavis and kept her company until she drifted

quietly into the hallway and

up?" Calliope asked, dropping down

mine, as fast as possible," Archie said, his brow furrowed. "And I know I've gotta watch out for Gavin. He's not going

at Calliope. "I just don't want him to cause