Holding On To The Memories
Songs To Stories Volume VI
Inspired by: New Years Day by Taylor Swift
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Maddy had always believed in forever.
From the moment she met Eve on their first day of kindergarten—when a small, shy girl refused to board the bus and Maddy took her hand and never let go—forever seemed inevitable. Together, they built a lifetime of shared memories: whispered secrets during sleepovers, first heartbreaks soothed over ice cream, weddings where they stood by each other’s side, and the dream of their bookstore café, Once Upon A Latte, which became the heart of their lives.
But forever doesn’t always last.
Holding On To The Memories picks up after the events of Fading From Forever, as Maddy struggles to navigate a world without Eve. Set against the backdrop of a mournful New Year’s Eve—their favourite holiday, when they would stay up past midnight, laughing about the past and dreaming of the future—Maddy reflects on the friendship that shaped her entire life. The scent of coffee beans and the soft rustle of pages at Once Upon A Latte are constant reminders of the woman she called her sister, and as the clock ticks closer to midnight, Maddy finds herself both haunted and comforted by the memories they made.
But grief is never a straight line.
As Maddy grapples with the ache of losing Eve, she must also face the changing dynamics of her own life—her role as a mother to three growing boys, her marriage to Derrick, and the immensity of carrying on their shared dream alone. When an unexpected letter from Eve surfaces, Maddy is forced to confront the depth of their bond and the promises they made to one another, even in the face of goodbye.
Holding On To The Memories is a poignant exploration of friendship, loss, and the enduring power of love that transcends time. Inspired by Taylor Swift’s New Year’s Day, this sixth volume in the Songs To Stories series is a tender, heart-wrenching tribute to the kind of connection that leaves a permanent mark on the soul. Because while people may fade, the memories—and the love—never truly do.
EXCERPT FROM Holding On To The Memories BY BRITT WOLFE
New Year’s Day, 22 Years Ago
The apartment smelled like stale champagne and melted candle wax. Glitter clung to every surface—counters, floors, and somehow, even the ceiling. Maddy stood in the middle of the living room, holding up a Polaroid of Eve mid-laugh, her cheeks flushed, her glass raised high.
“It was a good party,” Maddy said, turning the photo toward Eve.
Eve groaned from her spot on the floor, where she was chipping wax off the hardwood with a butter knife. “A legendaryparty. People will be talking about it for years.”
“Because of the glitter.”
Eve sat back, flicking a flake of wax across the room. “Because glitter is the physical embodiment of friendship.”
Maddy raised an eyebrow. “That was the speech you gave right before you tripped over the coffee table.”
Eve laughed, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Details.”
“Besides,” Maddy added, sweeping the floor, “glitter is just impossible to get rid of.”
“Exactly.” Eve grinned. “Like us.”
Later, they trudged through the snow to the café on the corner, breathless with cold and laughter. When the bell above the door chimed, Eve stopped short.
The barista behind the counter had rolled-up sleeves, warm brown eyes, and a smile so effortlessly charming that Maddy felt her best friend’s world shift in real time.
Maddy nudged her. “Ask for his number.”
“What? No.”
“Eve.” Maddy’s grin turned wicked. “This is glitter-level fate.”
Eve hesitated, then took a shaky step toward the counter. “One large coffee,” she said. “And…maybe your number?”
The barista blinked, then smiled as he scribbled something on the cup.
Outside, Eve stared at the name and number scrawled across the paper.
Sebastian. Call me if you like coffee…or glitter.
Maddy looped her arm through Eve’s. “Told you,” she said, smirking as they crunched through the snow. “This is just the beginning.”
