I pull him into a kiss, pouring every ounce of love and gratitude I have into it. When we break apart, I rest my forehead against his and say, “I don’t need proof, Calvin. You already have my heart.”
“Happy birthday, Blair.”
And in that moment, with the stars shining above, I know that this love is the kind you hold onto for a lifetime.
1 Mr Stirling
2 Nice to meet you.
Graduation is just days away, and Ishouldbe over the moon. But instead of being excited, my stomach’s been in knots. There’s a conversation hanging over me, one I’ve been putting off for far too long. I need to tell Calvin something… something big.
These last two months have been a whirlwind. My designs have finally started getting noticed, largely thanks to Calvin. He’s been wearing my pieces everywhere: gallery openings, parties, even casual dinners with his friends. Every time he steps out in something I’ve made, my inbox floods with messages. A few job offers even came through. After a lot of back-and-forth (and more sleepless nights than I care to admit), I accepted a position with a startup under Vogue.
It’s everything I’ve ever wanted.
The only catch? It’s in New York. And Calvin’s life, his work, his world, is in Boston.
In true Calvin fashion, he decided to fly my grandparentsand Abigail out to Paris so we could all be together for my graduation. And while things between my family and me have been… complicated, I’m actually looking forward to seeing them. It’ll be the first time everyone—my grandparents, Abigail, and Calvin—is all in the same room. Will it be awkward? Probably. But we’ll figure it out. Hopefully.
Ryan came to visit a few weeks ago, just the two of us walking through the city, grabbing coffee, talking about everything and nothing. He promised he’d be back for graduation, and I can’t wait to see him again.
Now, I’m packing up my apartment for the hundredth time, chatting with Inès and Meghan over FaceTime as I stuff clothes into my suitcase.
“I still can’t believe we won’t be there,” Meghan sighs, her breast pump humming in the background. “It’skillingme that we’re missing your big day.”
“I know,” I say, folding a shirt into a neat square. “But it’s my fault. I didn’t tell you guys in time. And you’re in Canada, Meg. I get it.”
“Still,” Inès adds, voice full of guilt, “it’s your graduation, Blair. We should be there, ugly crying and throwing confetti.”
I smile. “You two arealwaysdramatic. But honestly? It’s okay. You’ve both shown up for me in every way that matters. More than once.”
Meghan’s voice turns serious. “Well, when you’re settled in New York, we’re flying down. And we’re throwing you a celebration so big the city will never forget it.”
My throat tightens. I blink quickly, trying not to get emotional. “Thank you. That means more than you know.”
“You’dbettersend us photos,” Inès says. “I want every angle. Every dress. Every shoe. No excuses.”
“Don’t worry. You’re getting a full photo dump. I’ll even include some blurry candids for authenticity.”
Meghan laughs. “Good. Now, when’s the fam getting in?”
I glance at the clock on my wall: 11:30 AM. “They should be landing in about an hour. Calvin booked an Airbnb for all of us to stay in together.”
“Oof. That’s going to be… cozy,” Inès teases.
“And?” Meghan prompts, raising her brows. “Are you finally going to tell them?”
I pause, fingers frozen over a pair of jeans. “Yeah,” I say quietly. “I have to.”
“You’ve got this,” Inès says gently. “Whatever happens, you’re not alone.”
“Exactly,” Meghan adds. “Worst case, we come to Paris and kidnap you.”
I laugh, tension easing. “Thank you. Both of you.”
They just smile at me through the screen, and for a second, I feel like I can breathe again.
After hanging up, I glance around my apartment one last time, letting the silence settle in. Every detail, the chandelier in the foyer, the view, the faint scent of lavender from the diffuser, feels like it’s imprinting itself on my memory. Paris has been a dream. But dreams, no matter how beautiful, have to end eventually. Life is calling me forward, and I can only hope the next chapter holds even half the joy and clarity this one brought me.
