Page 151 of The Art of Us by Symone

THIRTY-NINE

Four years later…

I never thought I’d open up to anyone after what happened to me at thirteen. Now here I am, standing on a rooftop lounge in West Heights on Kayla’s twenty-second birthday, getting ready to propose.

We graduated from college a week ago and flew home from New York to spend a few days with our families before starting work.

While Kayla enjoys selling paintings and doing commissioned art independently, she’s excited about the opportunity to join a design company.

I’m happy to have landed an entry-level position within a business that Dad has nothing to do with. He finally came to the understanding that I have a mind of my own and want to achieve things without him, which means not taking over his company in the future.

Mom gives me a loving pat at my back after picking up a non-alcoholic drink. She flashes a proud smile when our eyes meet, then dips her head as if to ask if I’m ready.

I nod in response.

She saunters back to Dad and the McNeils.

It’s a relief she’s doing much better, taking care of herself, and being present for us.

I became more receptive to working through our issues after learning of the hurt she suffered as a child when her mother abandoned her to an alcoholic father.

Kayla’s sister was right. There’s always something underneath. People are mostly hurt.

Britney and Eric mosey over. Their relationship has progressed since leaving the academy and even survived long-distance while Eric went away on a football scholarship.

My sister remained in Charleston, healing her body amid taking classes at college. She appears happier and flourishing. It’s uncertain whether she’ll ever dance again, but right now, she’s enjoying life.

“I can’t believe you’re about to do this,” she gushes and looks across to Kayla, talking to Sam.

“Yeah, man,” Eric pipes in with a bump at my arm. “It’s a huge step. Are you truly ready for that? We’re all so young.”

I smile and tell them, “I feel like I’ve been preparing for this since the day our eyes met.”

“Aw,” Britney coos. “Look at my brother being all romantic.”

“Who would have thought, huh,” I quip.

We chuckle together.

She squeezes my arm, and Eric jerks my shoulder.

“All right, guys. Here I go.”

I straighten with determination and retrieve my wineglass from the buffet, drinking a little.

Then I walk over to Kayla and Sam, cutting into their lively conversation.

Sam’s excited to further her studies at Yale. It’s too bad her friendship with Rajid became strained after they attempted dating at Harvard, which is why he probably chose not to show up tonight.

“I’m stealing Kayla,” I say to Sam.

She giggles. “Nothing’s changed, I see.”

Kayla flicks to me with a broad smile on her radiant and gorgeous face. It’s crazy how the more time passes, the more the spark in her riveting brown eyes intensifies. Perhaps it is a reflection of the way I stare at her.

“What’s up?” she asks.

I reach for her. As always, without hesitation, she slips her hand into mine.

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