by K Leigh
Lia
“I can’t believe you’re really here.” I squeeze Natalie’s hand as we hurry down the sidewalk.
“I can’t believe you’re going to NYU!” Natalie returns my squeeze, smiling up at the skyline. “It’s beautiful here! I should move with you.” She pauses for a moment. “Nope, can’t leave my farm.”
Even though Natalie and I were close before, I’m happy with how much she’s opened up to me lately. She talks about her past with me now, and she’s seeing a therapist. They say her brain is protecting itself from the injuries—both emotional and physical—and she may never recover. But her and Matt talk regularly, and he’s even been to therapy with her a few times.
“Got your case?” She eyes my bag, and I nod fervently.
“I can’t believe you bought me such an expensive camera.” I had gasped at the price tag before she swiped it away this morning.
“It’s not every day your niece gets a full-ride scholarship on a photograph she took of you.” Natalie bumps my hip with hers right before we come to a stop at the International Center of Photography Museum.
“You sure you’re ready for this?” I ask, watching her face for signs of flight.
“I’m ready.” Her defiant expression makes me proud of everything she’s overcome in her life. “More ready than I’ve ever been, actually.”
We take the steps two at a time. The banners for the newest exhibit float in the wind, the picture of Natalie on the cliff watching the sunset emblazoned on each one. The words Undeveloped are scrawled across the top.
Matt and Natalie’s story is now a national phenomenon, thanks in large part to his position in the public eye. We developed the camera that had been with her journal and the pictures are now scattered through the museum under both of their names. Images from the carnival, dress shopping, their road trip, and the selfie they took in their hotel room that tempted me to open her journal in the first place.
The picture of Natalie from Matt’s gallery is also here.
Matt broke off his engagement to Antoinette. He leaked everything to the press, every detail about Antoinette and his parents, and the story blew up. Antoinette lost her social standing, her political possibilities, and her cousin Sabrina would now inherit everything. Her family disowned her.
I’ve not asked Natalie if her and Matt will try again. So much has happened, and they’re no longer the same people they were that summer. Still, when you’re in the room with the two of them, the sparks fly. So you never know. They say time heals all wounds.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I stop to check it and see it’s a guy from the photography workshop I took last week. We’ve hit it off, but I can call him back.
“Do you need to get that?” Natalie stops too, watching me check my phone. She glances back to the museum, chewing her lip.
“No, it can wait.” If there’s one thing I’ve learned, sometimes you have to live in the moment.
Pictures are an amazing treasure to have, but nothing can replace the value of a memory.
The End
Acknowledgments
This book was a true labor of love that wouldn't be possible without some super amazing people in my life.
Jon. My not soul mate. Our love endures because we choose it, and each other, day after day. Thank you for believing in me, even when I don't.
My children. Thank you for your endless love and faith in me. When I see your bright, shining faces, I feel at peace.
My family. My grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, in laws, my sister, etc. There are tons of us, and we are crazy, but we're also the most loving people you'll ever meet. Thank you all for claiming me.
My coworkers at my day job. Y'all make the day to day routine a lot more unpredictable. Lunch ladies are superheroes.
The Indie Author Community. I've made so many friends through social media and self publishing that I treasure. I want to list you all but it would take another three days.
My Misfits, you are my safe place.
My alpha reader: Dai the Wise. If I didn’t have you to run my life and interrogate me about my schedule, I’d be lost.
My beta readers: Georgana, Autumn, Daniele, Breeann, Amber, & Renee.
Katelyn, who Kate is named after. One day we will hug!
Christina Hart, thank you for working your blurb magic and instilling a love for hot tea in me that I never knew I needed.
Jen Rogue, thank you for formatting this book, but most importantly, thank you for your magnificent words. You always scrawl my soul across your pages.
My AMAZING editor, the fabulous Amanda Cuff. Thank you for loving this book like I do, for your constant support and positive vibes, for your love of vacuum cleaners and donuts. So thankful I messaged you until you liked me.
To my niece, who this book is dedicated to.
"When your mother placed you in my arms, little did I know she was placing you directly in my heart." -unknown
And to you, readers. Thank you for taking a chance on my book. However you found me, I'm glad you did.
About the Author
K Leigh is an author, mom, & wife.
When not momming, reading, and writing, she spends her time sharing inappropriate humor on social media and searching for her keys.
Also by K Leigh:
Poetry:
Bittersweet Musings: Collected Poems
My Burning Depths Series:
Vol I Fire
Vol 2 Water
Novellas:
The Robinson Sisters:
Four Day Prince Charming: An Angsty Age Gap Novella
One Week Queen: An Enemies-to-Lovers Novella
.