the sun was blasting through the windows of my studio, and it was doing that annoying thing where it made everything look warm and beautiful even though my workspace was a total disaster.

paint tubes were scattered all over the floor, brushes sticking out of random mugs, and my newest canvas... well, let's just say it looked like a rainbow threw up on it. maybe in a good way, but honestly, who knew at this point?

i sat cross-legged in my usual spot on the floor, staring at the canvas like it might suddenly make sense if i just looked hard enough. a paintbrush was hanging out of my mouth as i tapped my foot against the floor, trying to figure out if i actually liked it or if i was about to scrap the whole thing and start over. again.

just as i was considering whether a splash of purple would save it or make it worse, the door to my studio creaked open. in walked adelaide, holding out two coffees like some kind of caffeine-bearing angel.

"brought you your favorite," she said, shaking one of the cups in my direction with a grin. she was always so put-together, even on her off days.

her blonde hair was in a neat ponytail, and her jeans weren't covered in paint smudges like mine were.

"oh my god, you're a lifesaver," i said, practically leaping off the floor to grab the iced latte from her hands. "seriously, i would've died without this."

"you've probably already had three today," she teased, looking around the studio. her gaze landed on my half-finished painting, and she tilted her head like she was trying to figure it out. "you've been busy."

i took a long sip of the iced latte, savoring the cold sweetness as it hit my tongue. "yeah, well, it's either throw myself into painting or dwell on the fact that i'm cursed and destined to be single forever. so, painting seemed like the healthier option."

addy raised an eyebrow at me. "oh, are we doing this again? the whole 'woe is me, i'm never going to find love' thing?"

i waved my hand dramatically in the air, nearly spilling coffee all over the floor. "uh, yeah, we're doing this again. except this time i'm serious. i've come to terms with it. it's fine. the alodia curse is real, and i'm just, like, embracing it."

she sat down on a nearby stool, crossing her legs and giving me that patient, almost motherly look she always gave me when i got like this. "there's no curse, imogen. you just haven't met the right person yet. it's not the end of the world."

"it's not a curse for you," i muttered, setting my coffee down next to a stack of sketchbooks. "you're mrs. adelaide heartly now. you've got jacob, and your life is perfect. meanwhile, i'm over here, twenty-five and convinced the universe has it out for me."

addy rolled her eyes but smiled at me. "first of all, it's not mrs. adelaide heartly yet. we're still a few months out from the wedding."

"semantics," i said, waving her off. "you're engaged, and jacob is perfect. you two are the poster couple for 'happily ever after.'"

"jacob is not perfect," she said, though i could hear the affection in her voice when she talked about him. "he leaves his dirty socks everywhere and snores like a freight train."

"but you love him," i pointed out, flopping back down onto the floor with a sigh. "and that's my point. you found love. and i—well, i'm probably gonna end up the crazy cat lady who lives in a weird apartment with seven cats. and i don't even own cats, addy."

addy looked at me, her smile softening. "you don't even own a cat."

"yet!" i said, holding up a finger. "i don't own a cat yet. but give it a few years. i'll adapt."

she shook her head, laughing a little under her breath. "imogen, you're not cursed. your dad leaving doesn't mean you're doomed to the same fate. you're kind, talented, sweet, and honestly, probably the most energetic person i've ever met. if anything, you're a catch."

i scoffed. "a catch for who? the elusive mystery guy who doesn't exist?"

"for someone, maybe he's the most sarcastic person ever." she said firmly. "you just have to give it time."

i let out a long sigh, lying back on the floor and staring up at the ceiling. "i don't know, addy. it just feels like... like it's not in the cards for me. every alodia woman has had a messed-up love story. my mum got left. my grandma got divorced twice. it's, like, a cycle. and i'm pretty sure i'm next in line to mess things up."

addy got off the stool and sat down beside me on the floor, her voice softer now. "you're not your mum, and you're definitely not your grandma. you're imogen alodia, and you're going to have your own story."

"yeah, well, i'm thinking my story's more of a 'forever single, thriving in chaos' vibe," i said, picking at a loose thread on my shirt. "and honestly? i'm okay with it. it's fine. the alodia name can end with me, and i'll just be the cool single artist aunt who shows up to your kids' birthday parties with really thoughtful gifts."

addy smiled at me, nudging my shoulder. "you'll be way more than that. but speaking of chaos, we're going out tonight. that new bar downtown is opening, and i've already made a reservation."

"oh no," i groaned, covering my face with my hands. "do i have to?"

"yes, you do," she said, pulling my hands away from my face and grinning. "it's gonna be fun. we'll get dressed up, have a few drinks, and who knows? maybe you'll meet someone."

"yeah, right," i muttered. "someone who's, like, into paint stains and emotional baggage."

"or someone who's into sweet, artistic, bubbly girls who have way too much energy," she teased, standing up and dusting off her jeans. "i'll pick you up at eight. and don't wear anything with paint on it, okay?"

i rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. "fine, but i'm not making any promises about the paint."

"deal," she said with a wink, heading for the door. "i'll see you later."

when she left, i sighed, sitting back up and staring at my painting again. i wanted to believe her—i really did—but deep down, i just couldn't shake the feeling that i was right. the alodia name would end with me, and maybe that wasn't such a bad thing after all.

but for tonight, i guess i could put the curse on hold. at least long enough to pretend like love wasn't some unattainable, impossible thing.