**Callan

“I guess that means it’s you and me again this year,” Aunt Veronica said with a sly smile. She slid her hand through the crook of my elbow and tugged me towards her.

I glanced at Isa, who looked both surprised and nervous. She was watching Alyssa skip towards us wearing a big smile like Alyssa was taking a jaunt down the yellow brick road.

“Isa,” I asked, “are you sure you’re okay with this? If it’s too ...