She blinks. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear you.”
“I paint, okay?” I say through my teeth. “I like to paint.”
“Ahh…” She grins. “Now the whole art class thing is starting to make sense.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah.”
“So, open a gallery,” she suggests casually. “Easy peasy.”
I scoff. “A gallery? I can’t just open a gallery. I?—”
“And why not?” She crosses her arms. “You’re loaded and have the talent. Do it. Make it your goal for this year.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I say, my face slightly burning. “A gallery? Withmypainting on display? No way. That’s absurd. It’s ahobby, Sage. Plus, I barely have any finished pieces.”
“Maybe theyarefinished,” she says as Bones stirs at our feet, nudging Sage's hand with his nose as if to say it's time to move on. "That’s my cue.” She stands up, brushing off her pants. "I gotta go home and feed the beast, but I’ll see you next week. Art class?”
I nod. She’s always got me fucking nodding.
She smiles, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. "Don’t sulk too much tonight, okay? Keep yourself busy. Paint, if you can. You got this, princess."
I roll my eyes, but there's a hint of amusement tugging at the corners of my lips. "Goodbye.” I pause. “Asshole."
With one last laugh, Sage gives my shoulder a playful shove before turning to leave, Bones trotting by her side.
I sit on the bench for what feels like hours after she departs, repeating two questions in my head.
What makes me happy? What brings me joy?
I find no answers.
Not yet.
THE EXPECTATIONS
EMERY
“Emery,will you please stop for a second? We need to talk about Toni. We can’t keep putting it off.”
I wave Quin off, rushing past him into the dining room. Cutlery clinks against ridiculously expensive porcelain china as I frantically inspect each fork, knife, and spoon, my heart pounding with nervous energy. There's no time for distractions, not when my parents are about to walk through that door.
As I hold up a gleaming fork to the light, a burning scent catches my attention. Smoke. Why do I smell smoke? Panic surges through me. Did I leave the stove on?
I try to dart past Quin, but he intercepts me, his strong hands enveloping mine. "Breathe, darling," he says softly. "Everything is perfect."
I swallow hard, my gaze darting briefly to the front door. "I don’t want to do this. I…" I grumble, guilt gnawing at me. "God, I feel so bad, Quin. Damon should be here. He should…"
The look on his face when he left the townhouse is tattooed on my brain. He tried to hide it, the disappointment, but he’s as easy to read as a picture book these days. I love him. He knows I love him. But I fear it’s not enough. I fear that he’ll slowly become resentful and unwilling. It’s hard for him. Sharing. I wish I could make it easier. I wish I could split myself in two. But I can’t. I also can’t lie and tell him that my heart beats only for him. I struggle with it every day. Quin sees the unease. He comforts me. My heart feels safe with Quinton. But it beats with Damon. I want both. Ineedboth.
Forever.
The doorbell rings, and my spine straightens. "Oh my God, they’re here."
Quin smiles reassuringly at me, his confidence unwavering. "I’ll get it." With a determined step forward, he cranes his head over his shoulder. "But tonight, Emery. We discuss Toni. Alright?"
"Fine, whatever. Just get the door." My response comes out sharper than intended, and I inwardly wince at my terrible attitude.
Quin thinks that I'm avoiding the subject. Thinks I'm refusing to acknowledge the danger Toni poses. But the truth is, she’s not my top priority right now, and I don’t find her threats all too credible. It's been months now. Months and nothing. Sure, Quin'sreckless trip to Texas may have reignited the flame, but I don’t feel afraid. Not of Toni, at least.
