Page 97 of Risks

“I found this recently,” Grandmasays, handing me a little photobook.

Toya draws closer to me on theloveseat, curious about the pictures inside.

I flip the cover, and laughter immediatelybursts out of us at the image of my dad as a kid. He’s covered in mud with amischievous grin on his face.

“Oh geez.” Toya giggles. “Whathappened?”

“He’d ruined a flower bed,” Grandmasays, sitting across from us. She clicks her tongue. “I took the photo as proofto show your grandpa. Danny was only naughty with me but never when his fatherwas home.”

Grandpa chuckles, deep and gruff. “It’scause he loved when I brought him gifts. He was a smart kid.” He settles at theold piano and starts to play. With his incredible melodies providing asoundtrack, I continue looking through the album, warmth filling my chest atevery picture conveying a story of happy moments in time.

My grandparents always look so inlove, from their younger years until now. I don’t think I’ve ever seen themupset with each other. Even if they kept that behind closed doors, there’s nodoubt about their blatant love and respect for one another.

I linger on the last photo of thehappy couple, standing next to my dad and mom. She’s laughing, dark hairblowing as if the picture was taken on a windy day.

Missing her, I trace her face withmy finger.

Toya gives my arm a gentle squeezethat comforts me. When I look over, she whispers, “Okay?”

I nod and assure her with a smile.

As I turn back to the photo, I thinkabout the ring I brought on the trip with me, tucked away in my carry-on. Myheart leaps at the thought of giving it to Toya, but before taking that step, Ihave to reveal the secret I’ve kept from her. It’d be awful if she heard fromsomeone else, no matter if I’m not in the wrong.

Communication truly is the key to afirm foundation. Relationships aren’t perfect. There has to be honesty forthings to work.

Toya starts peeling off her clothesthe moment we enter the cottage.

“Whew! What a long and fun day.” Shetwists to me, wiggling her brows. “Shower with me?”

“Uh, you go first. I’m going tocheck in back home.”

“Okay.” She continues into thebathroom.

I walk out the kitchen door, closeit behind me, and call Finn.

“Aren’t you on vacation with yourgirl?” he answers jokingly.

“I have to tell her,” I blurt out ina hushed tone, pacing back and forth in the garden. “I have to before…”

“Oh, shit. You’re going to do it?”

“Yeah.” I rub the back of my neck,turning nervous. “But I can’t keep what happened with Kelly a secret. Regardlessif she’s the one who kissed me.”

Finn blows a long breath. “I agree,man. What if you and Toya are at a party, and Kelly shows up and lies? Yeah,it’s better to explain now rather than later. Toya might find it suspicious ifyou wait any longer.”

“It’s just…” I halt in place and runmy hand through my hair. “I know she’s going to be upset.”

“At first, but you love each other.She’ll get past it. Just believe that.” He sniffs. “Good luck, man. The nexttime I see you guys, the status of your relationship will be different.”

“I hope so,” I rasp.“All right, man. See you soon.”

I end the call, draw a deep breath,and walk back inside. As I enter the bedroom, Toya steps out of the bathroom wearinga towel.

“Who’d you talk to?” she asks, grabbinga long t-shirt from her suitcase.

“Uh, Finn.” When she pinches herbrows together, I add, “Wanted to run something by him.”

“Oh, okay.” She shrugs.

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