Page 140 of Embrace

Kian

My email chimesand I don’t bother getting up to check it, but Scarlett gasps. “That’s your exam grade.”

“What? How do you even know that?”

“It’s four p.m. on a Friday in December. It’s your grades. I know it!”

“Only you would memorize when grades are released,” I say. “It’s probably just a coupon for Uncle Frank— Holy shit!” I stare back at Scarlett, who arches a brow, crossing her arms like I should know better than to question her knowledge of all things academia.

But when I hover over the view grade button, I can’t do it. This is the last grade I need, the one that determines if I completed all my credits to graduate in the spring. My heart is in my ass and my leg starts to shake.

“I can’t look.”

Scarlett laughs softly, coming up behind me. Her arms slide over my shoulders, her chin grazing the top of my head. “Yes, you can. You’ve been working your ass off for this. Now click it before I do.”

When I do, my grade pops up on the side: ninety-one percent. “Holy shit,” we say in unison.

I narrow my gaze at her. “Why areyousurprised?”

She closes her mouth. “I’m not! I totally knew you would do well.”

“This well?”

“Okay,thisis crazy. I’m not even sure if I scored that high on the final,” she admits.

I beam, pulling her to me. “So you’re saying I’m smarter than you?”

“Hey! That’s literally myonething. Don’t take it away.”

“Nah, you have plenty of things.”

Then, as if the excitement can’t stay contained, I lift her in my arms, spinning her. When I plant her on her feet, she runs her hands over my ears. “You earned that, Kian. Be proud of yourself.”

Just when I lean in to kiss her, I glance down at my phone and see Kiyomi’s name flash across the screen. My stomach tightens, and I answer immediately.

“Ki?”

“Hey, pip. What are you up to today?” she asks.

Scarlett’s watching me, stepping away to sit on the desk chair as if to give me space. The tension in my chest doesn’t ease. I’m still listening for something off in my sister’s voice. “I—uh, nothing really.” Then I glance at Scarlett, who urges me to tell her. “Well, actually, I just got my grade for the stats final. I aced it.”

“That’s amazing, Kian. Are you celebrating with Scarlett?”

I can’t help but smile. I like that she knows about Scarlett, and that my life, my plans, include her now. “We haven’t decided yet.”

“I can’t wait for your graduation. Dad would be so proud,” she says brightly. “Mom’s been doing better, by the way. The doctor prescribed new meds, so none of the awful side effects this time.”

“Really?” I keep my voice careful, wanting her to keep talking. There’s no sadness in her voice this time and for the first time I don’t feel the weight on my heart either. It almost scares me.

“Yeah. I can send you the email from her doctor if you want.Oh, and if it’s okay, I’d like to put you down as Mom’s emergency contact.”

“Of course that’s okay. And if you need anything, you know I’m here.”

“I know. Actually…” She hesitates. “If you’re free, and it’s not too much of a drive, maybe you could stay with Mom tonight?”

It takes me a second to process. “Stay with her?”

“Just for tonight,” she rushes. “Joban called, and I thought I might go see him. I don’t have to—”