I opened the door and came in. I sat down on the edge of her bed. She was curled up on the bed with a book in her hands. She put the book down and sat up straighter. Diana took a breath as if bracing herself for a fight.
“I’m sorry about my behavior today,” I said short and to the point.
She tucked a piece of blond hair behind her ear. “It’s okay. You had every right to overreact. You were right when you said I always assume the worse when it comes to you, so for that I apologize. I’ve been really insensitive to your feelings. You have to still be grieving for your father, and Isaac, and I’m sure you’re still reeling from everything Selena has done. And about,” she swallowed. “what you told me earlier.” She took my hand in hers. “Kylie, I feel like you and I could be best friends but I always seem to blow it with my behavior.”
I chuckled. “I think we both blew it.”
She smiled. “I want us to be friends, Kylie.”
“Diana, we are friends.”
She smiled and hugged me. “Soon to be sisters.”
“That’s right,” I smiled. Diana and I had a rocky relationship but I knew I could count on her for anything. “And I know that you’re going to plan the most beautiful wedding for me and Jonathon.”
“Please,” she sighed. “You’ve done all the hard work by picking everything out. Amelia and I are just doing the finishing touches,” she took my hand and squeezed it, “and one day I hope you’ll return the favor.” She looked down. I had suspected that Diana may worry about finding her soul mate but the expression on her face showed just how much.
“Diana,” I pulled her into a hug, “you will find your soul mate. One day. Maybe not now, or a year from now, but someday.”
“Sometimes it feels like never,” she said.
“I can only imagine what it’s like and it must be horrible.”
“You have no idea,” she crinkled her bedcovers between her fingers. “Jonathon was comatose until you came along. After Selena murdered our parents he drifted even farther away. He was hardly living at all. You gave him his life back. I hope I can find someone that can do the same for me.”
“You will Diana. I know it,” I assured her.
I gave her another hug before departing and heading back up to Jonathon’s room although he liked to fondly refer to it as our room. I pushed open the door. He was lying on the bed already in a t-shirt and sweatpants. He was holding a piece of charcoal and sketching. His pale hand was turning gray.
“Where’d you go?” he asked.
“Like you don’t know,” I laughed.
He chuckled. “It’s a courtesy.”
“Well, as you know, I went and saw Diana to apologize.”
“Did you get everything squared away?”
“Yeah,” I climbed under the covers. I looked at the picture he was working on. I laughed, “Do you draw anything besides me now?”
“Not really,” his lips quirked up in a small smile. “Nothing else captures my attention.”
“I’m just so wonderful,” I said sarcastically.
“Yes, you are. And more beautiful than words can express.”
I laughed, “And you’re full of shit.”
He tossed his sketch onto the nightstand, and wiped his hands on a towel he had there, before pulling me into his arms. He kissed me. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I cuddled against his side. “Even if you lie,” I added.
He crushed his lips to mine and said against my lips, “I never lie. You should know that.” His hands were tangled in my hair and we were both breathing heavy.
“Or else you’re just the most cunning liar,” I countered.
“There’s that too,” he grinned.