Page 66 of A Small Town Spring

But he gives it anyway, flooding me with relief.“I think so, too,” he says.“And to answer your original question, yes, I’m sure I want to be with you, whether or not you sell another painting ever again.”

I was scared of having this with Kingston, in case I messed it up or, in some twisted way, it was too good.But there’s no such thing.I’ll have ups and downs in my career, and Kingston’s going to be there through it all.

The chilly wind kicks up, and I shiver.“Cold?”Kingston asks.He reaches out and briskly rubs up and down my arms.

“I’m so ready for spring.”

“It’ll be here soon,” he promises.We slowly walk back to the gallery, and I’m more than half hoping my dad won’t be there, but he is, talking with Sally and Galia near the cookie bar.

Pete and Jack walk up to us, offering tentative smiles.“Everything okay?”Pete asks.

Kingston looks at me to answer, and I let out a breath, grateful for their concern.“It’s fine.Just dad stuff.”

“I can relate to dad stuff,” Beck says, joining us hand in hand with Van.“Do you need anything?”

“No—having you guys here is really nice.Thanks again for the cookies, Beck.”

“Do you think I should open a Manhattan outpost of Beck’s Cookie Counter?”Beck asks seriously.

“Maybe after the wedding,” Van says.“Then you can expand your cookie empire.”

“Yes, after the wedding.And maybe after the house renovation is done.I’ll need another project then,” Beck agrees.

“By the way, what exactly is going on with you two?”Van says, looking between me and Kingston.

“Van,” Pete chides.“Ignore him,” he tells us.

I smile, remembering that the true miracle of the past twenty-four hours has been finding out that Kingston has feelings for me.I glance at him in question—we haven’t talked about this.And these are more his friends than mine, though I suppose they’re mine now, too, legitimately, which is perfectly lovely.He quirks a single eyebrow at me—damn, I wish I could do that.I nod back.

“Well, we’re…” Kingston trails off and I peer at him, wondering how on earth he’s going to finish the sentence.Boyfriends?Partners?Together?In love?I suppose the last one is true, even if neither of us has said the words.

But Kingston, the man who’s in command of so many words and can find the perfect phrase for any situation, says nothing.Instead, he kisses me, putting his arms around my waist and drawing me flush to him.

We kiss once, twice, and then turn to gauge the reaction of our nonverbal statement on the crowd.Jack’s grinning.Beck claps his hands together in excitement.Pete’s eyes are wide, but he’s smiling, too.

Van looks proudest of all, his chest puffed out and his blue eyes sparkling.“Atta boys,” he says, clapping us both on the shoulder and shaking us apart.“It’s about time.”

Jack, Pete, and Beck all talk over each other, offering us encouraging words.

I know my cheeks are flaming hot, but it doesn’t matter.Kingston and I are… people who kiss in front of our friends.I’ll take that relationship definition for the time being.

Of course, the nice moment ends too soon when my father is suddenly at the edge of our group.“I guess I see why you and Ivy broke up,” he says snidely.“I didn’t think you were gay.”

I refrain from rolling my eyes now that I’m trying to be a grown-up around my father.“I’m not gay,” I say clearly and calmly.“You know I’m bisexual.Remember me coming out while I was at uni?”

“I thought that was a phase.You and Ivy?—”

“Look, Dad, that’s enough.You came to New York after I told you I didn’t want you at the show.You came anyway, criticized my work, were rude to my boyfriend, and I’ve had enough.”

He flaps his mouth without saying anything, then finds his voice.“You said I could see you if I came to the States.I texted you I’d be here.”

“What does it say about our relationship, Dad, that I don’t even have your number in my phone?I didn’t know that text was from you.”

“Can I help it that I had to get a new number?”He sounds irritated now.“Jemima was harassing me day and night and blocking her didn’t work.”

Jemima?One of his erstwhile conquests, no doubt.

“I don’t care about your problems with women, Dad.My entire life, you’ve always made everything about you.Tonight was supposed to be about me.If you can’t understand that, you might as well leave.”

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