Christina gave me a nod, so I went down the hall and lightly knocked on Emily’s door.
“Go away,” she shouted.
I slowly opened the door and stepped inside.
“Hey.” I smiled at her. “Can I come in?”
She just sat on her bed shaking her head with tears in her eyes.
“You’re already in, aren’t you?” she spoke with an attitude and I couldn’t help but smile. She reminded me of myself at that age.
“Why are you so upset?” I asked as I sat down on the edge of the bed.
“What? You think because now that you’re my sister, you just get to butt into my business?”
“No. But I know that sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone you barely know.”
“I just can’t stand them. Everything is Laurel this, Laurel that. They always loved her more because she’s the smart one and I’m the dumb one.”
“That is not true.”
“How do you know? You’ve known us for like five minutes.”
“You don’t go to college?”
“No. I tried community college for a while and it just isn’t for me. I always hated school.”
“Me too.” I smiled. “High school was really tough for me.”
“What do you do?” she asked.
“I’m a life coach.”
“Did you go to college for that?”
“No. I completed a training program online and became certified. Now I own my business and have plenty of clients.”
“Wow. Good thing you didn’t know our father when you were doing that. He would have disapproved. Life is all about college, girls. You’ll never get anywhere in life without a good solid college education.”
“You love photography, don’t you?”
“Yeah. How did you know?”
“Can I see some of your pictures?”
“Sure.”
She reached under her bed, pulled out a large photo album and handed it to me.
“I taught myself everything I know about photography.”
“Wow, Emily. These are amazing. You have a really good eye.”
“Tell that to my parents. They tell me it’s just a hobby and not a career.”
As I held her book in my hand, images flowed through my mind.
“It is your career. This is what you’re meant to do. You need to follow your passion, Emily. Not what your parents want you to do. Don’t tell them I said that.” I smiled.
“I won’t.” She laughed.
“How badly do you want this as a career?”
“Bad. It’s the only thing I’m interested in. Except guys, of course.” She grinned.
“Stay away from them. You’re young and they’ll only complicate your life. You need to do you first, before you get involved with anyone else. Deal?”
“Deal.” She smiled.
“I can help you. I am a life coach, and I know I can get you on the right track.”
“Are you serious? You’d help me?”
“Of course. Isn’t that what sisters are for.” I placed my hand on hers. “I’ll talk to your parents.”
“Thanks, Everly.” She gave me a hug.
“You’re welcome. Now, pull your big girl panties up and go out there and apologize to them. I know it’s hard. But you can do it.”
“Fine.” She huffed.
We went back out to the dining room and sat down at the table. Asher placed his hand on my knee and gave me a smile as Emily apologized to her parents.
After we were done with dinner, the girls decided to go out for ice cream while we stayed back and visited for a while longer.
“I have no idea what you said to her, but she has never apologized to us before,” Richard said.
“Listen, there’s something I need to discuss with you. It’s about Emily and her photography.”
“Uh.” Christina rolled her eyes. “She thinks that she can make a decent living off that. We told her she couldn’t, and she needs to decide what else she wants to do.”
“Have you seen her photos?” I asked.
“Of course. They’re very good, but it’s just a hobby,” Richard said.
“Actually, it’s not. When I touched her photos, I saw her future. She’s going to become a very well-known photographer. Her photographs are going to be displayed in many art galleries, and she’s going to work for a prestigious fashion magazine taking photos. She just needs the support from you two and a little push in the right direction. I can push her in that direction, but only if she has your support.”
“And you saw all that?” Richard asked.
“I did. But things could change if she doesn’t have your support. You will lose her.”
43
One Year Later
Asher
I was frantic as I searched the entire penthouse. My heart was racing, and I began to profusely sweat. Where the hell was it? I searched everywhere and I couldn’t find it. Panic engulfed me and I felt like I was losing my mind. I heard the elevator ding which meant Everly was home. Shit. She wasn’t supposed to be home for another hour. I quickly went into my office and pretended like I had been working.
“Hey, handsome.” She grinned as she walked in, sat on my lap and gave me a kiss.
“Hello, gorgeous. Why are you home so early?”
She looked at me as her eye steadily narrowed.
“What have you been doing?”
“Working. Why?”
“Uh-huh. You’re sweating.”
“It’s really hot in here. Is the air working?”
“It’s actually quite cool in here, Asher.”
She got off my lap and looked around my office, then she hit a one of the keys on my keyboard, so my computer turned on.
“Oh my God, Everly. What do you think I was doing?”
“I don’t know, but your father said to look in the corner of the floor in your closet. What is he talking about?”
“He said that. Just this second?”
“Yes.”
“Thanks a hell of a lot, Dad!” I shouted.
I walked out of the office and headed up the stairs. Everly started following me, so I stopped and turned to her with a pointed finger.
“You stay down here!”
She frowned at me as she turned around. Opening my closet door, I walked inside, and sure as shit, there was the box lying in the corner on the floor. How the hell did it even get there? Now my plan was ruined because I knew Everly was suspicious. I shoved the box in my pocket, went downstairs, grabbed Everly’s hand and took her into the living room.
“What is going on, Asher?” She demanded an answer.
I placed my hands on her shoulders and took in a deep breath.
“I love you, Everly King, and you have made me the happiest man alive. This past year with you has been incredible, and you’ve given me something I thought I would never have or experience. I want many, and I mean many more years like this. You are my soulmate and the air I breathe. I can’t imagine living life without you.” I pulled the ring box from my pocket, got down on one knee and took hold of her hand. “Will you marry me, Everly? Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife for the rest our lives?”