“Just do it.” I nudged him playfully.
With a skeptical chuckle, Landon obeyed, squeezing his eyesshut. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and opened the email, then held the screen up in front of him. Honestly, it was impressive that I resisted the urge to call him every five minutes to tell him the news, but I thought it would be better to tell him in person.
“Okay, open them.”
Landon’s eyes flickered open and landed on the phone. It took him a second to process the bold subject line, but then his jaw dropped. “Holy shit.You got in?”
I nodded. “Yes, yes. I got in!”
His reaction was instant. He let out an excited yelp, grabbing me by the waist and spinning me in a circle. “You did it! Oh my God, Kira, you did it! And they got back to you so quickly. I bet they saw your application and had to let you in immediately.”
I laughed, holding on to his shoulders as he set me back down. “I couldn’t have done it without you. You convinced me to apply. You helped me with my portfolio. You stayed up late with me when I was second-guessing everything.”
“Stop.” Landon shook his head. “This was all you. You’re amazing. All I did was believe in you.”
I didn’t realize at the time how much I needed that. Someone to believe in me. To encourage me, to push me beyond my comfort zone. Because as cozy as it was inside my safe bubble, I didn’t know if I ever would have popped it without someone like Landon to push me.
“Well, your belief helped.”
Landon smiled, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “We’re celebrating tonight. Forget this chili. I’m ordering something fancy. And we’re opening the bottle of celebratory champagne I’ve been saving.”
“Saving?” I asked. “For how long?”
He reached into the top cabinet and pulled down a fancy bottle of champagne. “Since the day you decided to apply.”
Something pulled at my heartstrings. He popped open the bottle, poured two glasses, and handed me one. “To a future artist starting her new beginning.”
I clanked my glass against his. “I love you, Landon.”
“Not as much as I love you.”
25
KIRA
The Burrow Bitches
Kira: Is everyone ready for tonight?
Britney: i am always ready for any event that i can wear a sexy dress to
Ariadne: My nephew threw up on my dress, but I’ll come up with a plan B.
Macey: I’ve got all the materials for live streaming! Noah’s hogging the bathroom, but I’ll get ready when he’s done.
Mason’s Diner buzzed with life.
I stood near the counter, watching as people from every corner of the neighborhood filed in. Families, old friends, new customers, even the grumpy man who always walked his dog past the place without looking up. Tonight, though, he came inside and accepted a cup of coffee from Landon’s mom like it was the most natural thingin the world.
A little kid leaned over the dessert case, nose pressed to the glass. Someone in the back corner strummed a guitar softly—one of the regulars from the CCC who’d offered to play some live music. Laughter bubbled up near the coffee pots where Landon’s cousins were already making themselves at home. I spotted Macey talking animatedly with someone’s grandmother over the merits of banana cream pie versus cherry.
At the center of it all was Landon.
He moved through the crowd in that easy, quietly competent way of his, refilling drinks, checking on food, pausing to thank people for coming. His sleeves were rolled to the elbows, hair a little messy from the back kitchen heat, but his eyes were bright. He caught my gaze across the room and grinned, just for me.
A hand brushed my elbow. “You look so proud.”
I turned to see Britney sipping champagne, her deep red dress hugging her frame like it was made for this exact moment. The rich color made her fiery hair glow under the ballroom lights, the loose curls tumbling effortlessly down her back.
