Some Kind of Perfect (Calloway Sisters #5)

by Krista Ritchie

been Daisy is alive. My eyes start welling. Daisy is alive.

She almost died giving birth, and that day in the hospital hit all of us like a comet slamming into Earth.

We’re so much better together than we are separate.

Daisy and Ryke have been glued to Sullivan since she was born. Five months without one break.

“Of course,” Connor replies. “Your daughter is already more articulate than you are, so really, I like Sulli more than I like you.”

“And another baby would hardly topple my world. I’m a fucking fortress.”

We’re so aware of their role in our children’s lives. We were all living together when Jane was born. They played with her. They babysat her. They held her when she was fussy, and they found her lost lion. They brought her laughter and smiles and so much love.

“We did fine without you,” Connor agrees with him. “But we also did better with you. Just like Lo and Lily do better with all of us, and you and Daisy do too. All of our children benefit from the love and support of family.” Translation: you’re my family, Ryke.

Connor never had a true family.

Connor is acknowledging the benefit of real human connections. All the ones based on love. All the ones between us.

Very softly, Daisy says, “It’s not Mom. I’m going to leave Sulli there for a day. I will. But I’m just not…ready yet.” Tears well in her tired eyes, and she pinches them, choking down a strangled sound. Ryke rubs her shoulders and whispers in her ear.

We’d been right beside them on their long journey to have a child.

we watched them fight. And they did fight, so long and so hard, to bring their daughter into this world.

I know her kindness and her love and how much she wanted that little girl in her arms. So it’s only natural she wouldn’t want to break apart.

“She’s beautiful,” I say in my quietest voice. My heart is full of this indiscernible, overpowering sentiment—because this child is so much of my sister and Ryke.

Ryke dips his head down to look at Daisy, behind her cascade of hair. He whispers to her and then kisses her cheek.

“I’d love to. I’ll save you from all the evil cries.” Daisy mock gasps. “Did you just call my baby evil?” “Her cries,” I refute. “That only makes her part-evil.”

“My nails ripping into his throat won’t be a fantasy if you would just move.”

It only breaks when I stand from my chair, and Ryke turns towards the door. “Heyheyhey!” Lily yells at us, even gripping my wrist to stop me. “Hot-tempered triad, cease!”

Because I might’ve never been friends with Ryke at the time.” Her eyes flit to mine, pained at that idea. I feel my chest collapse.

Because my brother needs Connor, and whether he admits it or not, Connor needs Lo.

I could chart the reasons why Lo and Connor just work as friends. Why Lo loves Connor for who he is: the egotistical narcissist that drives me fucking nuts. Why Connor loves Lo: the alcoholic, the sober man, the sarcastic geek—all of which I proudly call my little brother.

We’re all probably documenting this moment as a historic one: the day Connor Cobalt admits he’s not always right.

I love you both. I’d die for you,”

“Yeah, I do. We don’t let her be photographed. We don’t let her be in the docuseries. It’s her body, her image, and I’m not letting them latch onto her like she’s a thing and not a person. I can’t.” “We can’t,” I say. “I’m with you on this, Calloway.” I’m always with you. Right now, I can’t imagine someone sexualizing Sulli. She’s just a baby. And I’m going to have an even harder time imagining that nightmare as she gets older. As a pre-teen—no. It’s sick. It’s all fucking sick.

Rose Calloway Cobalt

“Don’t fuck with me or my babies—” “Our babies,”

“I can’t believe I allowed my DNA to mix with yours and create multiple little monsters. What was I thinking?”

I raised Sadie as a kitten, but my attachment to her is severely less than my attachment to these people in this very room. Call me callous. Call me unfeeling. Call me inhuman, but I raised her to be independent, to survive on her own.

He never told Lo that he’s sick too—he wouldn’t. Because Ryke Meadows loves taking care of people.

Lo mumbles one of the greatest truths of our lives. “I have the best brother.”

I love my sisters more than life itself, and what Rose did for me digs to the very core of love. It exists entirely and soulfully within Winona.

“Ryke was fated to be surrounded by women.”

“You were fated to be surrounded by women.” Ryke smiles one of the most beautiful smiles he’s ever worn, and he says, “I fucking prefer it that way.” He was hoping for another girl.

“‘I have learned that to be with those I like is enough.’”

“That’s me and you.” We’re about six years apart, like Sullivan and Winona. Two generations of sisters. I rest my chin on Rose’s shoulder, and she places her hand to my head lovingly.

Sullivan stares in awe at the baby and she says, “I love you, Nona.”

Ryke & Daisy Meadows welcome the birth of their baby girl * * * WINONA BRIAR MEADOWS March 24th, 2024

It took a lot of time, more work than I sometimes thought capable, but Calloway Couture survived with me.

I can’t kill him. I love him.

There’s nowhere I’d rather be than in the woods, on a mountain, with Daisy Meadows. With Sullivan Meadows. With Winona Meadows. With my fucking girls. My family.

“And to add to what your dad told you. Friends come and fucking go. Family is forever.”

“Love is you.”

“I wish to dress my best because of the love I have for myself. Not for a boy, but for me.”

“Because I’m full of the love I have for my siblings, the love that I have for you, for Mom, for myself and the love you all give me in return.

Jane is not me, and I see that she could be someone far better. My grin is nothing but earnest. “Mon cœur,” I murmur. My heart. Jane touches her heart, expressing the same sentiment.

I’d do anything to ensure the safety and well-being of my family. Including, at the very last effort, physically barring my daughter from leaving the house in that dress.

“Wherever you go, I’ll go.”

I’m in direct line with someone mighty and strong, daring and dangerous, and most of all—kind and caring. Is there anyone in this world who cares more about me than this man? Has there ever been someone out there who loves me so entirely other than him? I don’t think there is. I don’t think there could be.

All with Ryke Meadows.