Page 55 of Diverge

We walk over to where Riley, Grace, and her parents stand. Grace looks absolutely stunning in her pink lace dress, showcasing her perfect hourglass figure. Riley smiles as his eyes land on our hands locked together in a tight hold.

“You look great, Billie,” Riley says.

“Thanks, Riles.” I give him a small smile as Finn lifts our hands and kisses the back of my hand.

Michael comes up behind Grace and lands a small kiss on her cheek. She blushes at the sight of him, and I can’t help but smile at them. They are so head over heels in love with each other, it is obvious to anyone who sees them together. The way they look at each other, the way he drinks her in like she’s the one who determines if he breathes or not.

“I don’t think I’ve had the chance to thank you yet, Billie,” Mr. Mackenzie says as he hands me a glass of champagne.

He’s an exact copy of Finn, only years older, with a beard.

“I’m confident with your assistance we have the best marketing assets for the new direction our company is taking.” I feel a small sense of pride in my chest. Rob has always been like a second father to me, and to hear him say that means so much to me.

“No, thank you, Mr. Mackenzie. It allowed me to work things out with Finn, and I also gained a lot of insight into what it would be like if I were to start a freelance marketing business.” I take a sip of my drink, the bubbles coating my throat.

“That’s great. Let us know if you need anything to get started. I’ll be happy to help you in any way I can.” He smiles as he looks from me to Finn. “I knew you would both find your way to one another again.” For a moment, I think I see his eyes water, but before I can be sure, he turns to Riley to ask about his business ventures.

The majority of the night is filled with lots of food, drinking, and dancing. As the party goes on, a few of the guests begin to leave, saying their congratulations to the couple and departing.

I’m seated on a stone bench under my favourite tree since we were little, sipping my drink as I see Riley approach me. Finn had gone to get us more drinks. I wonder to myself for a moment how he’s doing. I haven’t really spoken to him much since the whole Nate thing.

“Hey.” He takes a seat beside me, watching everyone dancing on the makeshift dance floor under the marquee.

I lean into him, placing my head on his shoulder. “Hey.”

He sighs. “You seem happy.”

“I think I am.” I smile to myself. Maybe I really am, but I can’t help but wonder about Nate now that he crossed my mind. “Have you heard from Nate?” I sit up and look at him, waiting for an answer. He nods in confirmation, unsure if he should explain. “It’s okay, you can tell me.”

“He left his life behind here to set up his brother’s life in the US.” He looks at me. “He’s doing well for himself now, a completely changed man. Got a job, alegaljob.” My heart skips a beat thinking about Nate. I’m happy he’s doing well and that Noah is following his basketball dreams. I nod and place my head back on his shoulder. “He asks about you.” My heart constricts and twists inside my chest. “He tells me how you helped him become the man he’s always wanted to be. Honest and trustworthy.” A tear rolls down my face at that image in my mind.

“I’m happy I could do that for him,” I say as I wipe the stray tear from my cheek. “Anyway, how are you doing? I feel like we haven’t spoken in a while.”

He takes a sip of his beer. “Pretty good. I met someone, actually.”

I sit up again to look at him in complete shock. “What?!” I give him a little slap on the shoulder. “And I’m just hearing about this now?”

“I wanted to make sure she was the real deal before I said anything.” He chuckles.

“Well, I demand to meet her, and soon!” I say.

He smiles as he nods at my request. “Are you happy, Billie? With Finn?”

“I love him.” I sigh. “I’ve loved him since we were little,” I confess, although I’m pretty sure my brother already knows the feelings I’ve harboured for Finn for years.

“I just don’t want you to get hurt again.” He puts his arm around me and pulls me in for a side hug. “You’re my only sister, and I feel protective of you since Dad died.”

I squeeze his arm to reassure him. “I’ll be okay, Riles. Finn loves me.”

We stay there in that exact spot until Finn returns with our drinks. They both share a laugh about something that happened in sports last night, and I smile, watching my brother and my first love exchange thoughts about their favourite teams.

I hope it’ll be like this forever, all of us making memories to look back on when we are all old and grey.

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