Page 215 of Prickly Romance

Baby Ollie coos her happiness. She truly looks like the daughter of a fashion icon tonight, her little arms and legs are shrouded in shrills and lace.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Baby Ollie had her own social media account with a horde of loyal followers eager to see her next outfit.

“You guys go ahead,” I squeak out. It’s obvious that Vanya wants to hurry inside and I want to do the opposite.

Vanya turns sharply. Her brown eyes study me in the dusk.

I glance away, pretending to take great interest in my surroundings. The school parking lot is flooded with luxury SUVs. Small photo booths are set up along the back. Photographers are mounting their lights and colorful backgrounds, preparing for an influx of rich parents high off their children’s awkward first performances.

“Dejonae?” Vanya calls.

I want to move. I really do.

But it’s like my feet are stuck on the cement.

Hadyn and Vanya exchange a wordless look.

Anger boils inside my chest when I watch them.

Adam and Nova and Vanya and Hadyn have shown the ability to communicate without words. So whythe hellis it so hard for me and Sazuki to get on the same page?

Hadyn clears his throat. “I’ll find the others and save you both a seat.”

“Thanks, babe.” Vanya waves him away and then trots toward me. “Honey, if you clutch that bouquet any tighter, you’re going to give Niko a pile of stems.”

I relax my fingers, but my heart is still beating fast.

“Are you nervous about seeing Sazuki?” Vanya asks, rubbing my shoulder.

I shake my head.

Somehow, I’ve managed to survive working at the foundation and seeing him every day. It killed me inside, but I held out for so long because I thought he would come to me immediately.

But he didn’t.

I didn’t think he’d let our break stretch out for this long, and now everything is a mess.

“Is it becauseshe’sinside?” Vanya whispers.

My eyes dart to her.

“Niko told Beth that her mom was here. Beth told Dawn and… well, you know how the farmhouse grapevine works.”

I inhale a shuddering breath. “I’m okay. Niko asked me to show up. I’m doing this for her.”

“Then you better get inside,” Vanya says gently.

I follow her into the school auditorium. Fancy, cushioned chairs face the stage. Speakers hang from the walls like we’re in a movie theatre. Private schools really are a different breed.Mypublic school auditorium did not have air conditioning, surround-sound speakers, and velvet seats.

Sunny and Darrel Hastings are sitting at the front of the room. They turn and spot us wedging into our seats at the back. Sunny shoots me a beaming smile and waves. Her movement catches Dawn and Max Stinton’s attention. The couple notice me and Vanya. They nod and smile in acknowledgement.

“Why aren’t we sitting with them?” I ask Vanya.

She takes Baby Ollie from Hadyn and adjust the frills around her wrist. Eyes sparkling with love, she focuses on her child even as she speaks to me, “Up front is for the parents.”

“Ah.” I sweep my gaze over the room again and freeze when I see a familiar head of black hair.

I would recognize Sazuki from the back if I were in a crowd of millions. His hair is longer than usual, brushing his broad shoulders. He turns slightly to the side, showing off his impeccable profile—strong forehead, sharp nose, chiseled jaw line.

---