Page 144 of Play On

Now I’m crying.

“I—I don’t know what to say,” Dad says, obviously blindsided by the truth.

“Violet is ready to fly,” Noah says simply. “And I hope now you’ll give her a chance to do it. But even if you refuse, I know she’s going to be a success with or without your help. I believe in her. And more than that, she believes in herself.”

I wipe away the tears that are falling down my cheeks. Noah just gave me a grand gesture, the grandest gesture of love he could ever give me. Not only did he show up for me, but he believes in me.

And he wanted my family to know it.

Dad looks as if he’s seeing me for the first time, and even Nicholas looks like he’s fighting back emotions, too.

Noah immediately stands up, and I join him. “I have to go back to London. I only came here to tell you this because it’s important. Thank you for your time.”

“Noah, please, stay for a bit,” Mum says. “Have dinner with us.”

He shakes his head. “I appreciate the offer, Jocelyn, but I haven’t been home since the tour started. I need to be in Surrey and take care of my dog. But I will take you up on that in the future, if I may.”

“Yes, of course,” she says.

He says goodbye to everyone, and then we leave the den. As soon as we pass from the family side of the home to the side that is open to the public, I stop Noah and wrap my arms around him.

“What you did for me—what you said …” I pause, trying to find the right words to say to him.

“Shh.” Noah brushes a lock of my hair behind one ear. “You don’t need to say anything.”

I shake my head. “I do. Because you showed up for me in the grandest way possible. Thank you for that. Thank you for loving me so much.”

He reaches up and wipes away the tears that are falling down my cheeks again. “Even if your parents don’t relent, you’re going to be fine. You’re going to find the right job and start your career. I believe in you, Violet.”

He believes in me.

And I believe in me, too.

“I feel the same way. In fact, I have some news for you,” I say, smiling up at him.

“What?”

“Amelia called her mum. She’s got my CV and we’re meeting for lunch in Mayfair next week with another friend of hers who is also connected in the art world. She wants to help me network and find a job.”

Noah’s eyes completely light up at this news. “Violet, this is brilliant!”

“I know, I’m trying not to be too excited about it, but I am.”

“You should be. It’s a sign. Everything is lining up for you, sweetheart.”

“I think everything lined up for me the moment you told me you liked milk teeth and stretchy snakes,” I say, framing his gorgeous face in my hands.

His mouth begins to curve up in a playful smile. “Who knew that’s all I had to do to win your heart?”

I laugh at that. “I think some very special people made sure we found each other, Noah. Lady Lily and your dad.”

“I think so, too. I love you, Violet.”

“And I love you, Saucy Shorts.”

Noah cringes in the most adorable way when I call him Saucy Shorts, and I can’t help but laugh at how cute he looks right now.

“Daddy Darby?” I ask. “Is that better?”

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