Page 91 of Tempest

“She deserves that and more,” Britton says. “I haven’t seen a single thing she’s made that I wouldn’t wear in a heartbeat.”

The support she has from all these new people in her life chokes me up, so I don’t say anything. Instead, I pat Britton’s shoulder as a way to say thank you.

“Embrace that emotion, hockey star,” George says. “I’m going to go find my wife and see how much longer before I can drag her off to a bottle of wine and bed.”

“It was good seeing you, George.”

“You, too, Gavin. Britton, always a pleasure.”

“Likewise. Take care of that wife tonight, she’s been missing you.”

“You know I will.”

Britton leaves shortly after, and I finally get a second to see my kid and tell her how proud I am of her. Then I go find my girlfriend. Ode’s been working endless hours the past two weeks, preparing for this.

I find her in a back corner, talking to a couple of people I don’t know. She’s got that smile plastered on her face, the one that says she’s not really having a great time, but she doesn’t want to let it show.

She’s tired. Knowing her, she hasn’t eaten anything today because she put everything and everyone else before herself. I wait for her to finish the conversation before I move behind her and wrap my arm around her stomach.

“You need me to find you a snack?”

“No, we’re going to start clearing everyone out now. Then I’m going home and straight to that zucchini bread you made. I’ve been craving it for hours,” she says. “Victoria Vaughn was much talked about today.”

“So I’ve heard. Thank you for everything you’ve done for her,” I say, pressing a kiss to her jaw.

“She’s done everything on her own,” Odette says. “I only put people in front of her.”

“You’ve bolstered her confidence, too, Ode. You’ve done that for every student here.”

“I’ve tried. I’m just so fucking proud of them all.”

“They know that, and they love you for it,” I tell her. “I’m going to head home; I’ll have food ready for you when you get there.”

“You’re the best boyfriend a gal could ask for,” she says, sinking into me.

“I try. Come home soon, Ode.”

Odette wakes me by curling up in my lap. I must have fallen asleep on the couch waiting for her to get home.

“Hey,” I mumble.

“Sorry it took me so long; I ended up helping negotiate a deal.”

“I don’t know what that means,” I say, inhaling her scent.

“A very big store wants to buy six items they saw today. Four from the runway show, two from the spotlight students. Vanessa and I made sure the deal was lucrative for the kids.”

“That’s fucking amazing.”

“It is. Tori’s thrilled,” she says, peering up to me with a sly smile.

“Shut up? Really?”

“Really. They also want the dress she was wearing, the one Drake made for her.”

“Holy shit, that’s so fucking cool. I should call her.”

“She said to call her in the morning. They’re all celebrating tonight.”

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