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West shuts the door andto comprehend the splendor I stand on astaircase that winds with i appears to soar to the heavens and at the very pinnacle above us is a doht Because this house is perfect, the lance at West and I expect to see quiet expectation or a glimmer of pride Instead, his expression contains an ache I squeeze his hand "It’s beautiful"

"It’s excessive"

I appraise my clothes: my best blue button-down shirt, my best pair of jeans and black shoes There is no way rip on hihter A constant seesaeen us of holding on and letting go

High heels click against the floor and I raiseinto the foyer from a back hallway She has h it with an air of absentness I bet she doesn’t receive collection notices

"Hi, Mo the silence

She stops abruptly It’s obvious where West inherited his good looks, golden hair and blue eyes A tender shtens her face as she surveys hi with your friends"

Celebrating? My forehead scrunches Is he purposely avoiding aze?

"This is Haley Willialance he sendsparents can be aard, but West is acting like he’s about to slash openI suck in a breath asI’ve heard his name--have said his name--a hundred times and it never clicked Not onceuntil now

He’s not just any Young He’s the Young This is the fas in the city have been dedicated to They’re the reason why the zoo can throw a Halloween party Because of a plaque at the check-in desk, I knew they were the ones who paid for the mattress I slept on at the shelter

I let out a slow, steady strea can keepmay possibly make this moment less real

"It’s nice to meet you, Haley" His mother’s eyes dance as she spots our joined hands "And I’ Haley is your"

"Girlfriend," answers West

A sound leaves irlfriend

Mrs Young’s so of West and extend ht? Crap,accepts"West has never brought ho her back, sort of, because I’ pulls back and stretches outway "She’s beautiful Really, West, she is Sieous"

And she’s touchy "Thank you?" Alance to West, and, thankfully, he swoops in for the rescue He lobs an arm around ht I’d show her around," he says