Page 116 of Miami Ice

“I … I still can’t believe I did it.”

“You’re shaking,” he says with concern.

“I think it’s adrenaline. But I did it. And I’m okay.”

“Better than okay. You stood up for yourself. I couldn’t be prouder of you.”

“You helped me get here.”

“No, this was all you.”

“No. Hearing you stand up for me gave me the courage to stand up for myself,” I say. “Thank you for that.”

He lifts a hand to my hair, running it through the long locks I’m wearing down today. “Confession. It was hard for me to stay silent when she said those shitty things to you.”

“But I handled it.”

Beckham smiles softly at me. “You did.”

“She’s always belittled my art. Ella was the twin who did the right thing, the practical thing, and Mom would tell me I was a dreamer who would end up like my dad.”

“That pisses me off. My parents—my family—have done nothing but encourage me and push me to follow my dreams. I hate that you didn’t get that support from someone you love so much.”

I swallow. “It’s disappointing, but as you can see,” I say, inclining my head to my shelves of jars, “it didn’t stop me.”

“No. That’s a testament to how strong you are.”

“And if Sofia hadn’t come along with her proposition, I was going to get a full-time job and shift to doing this on the side until it was profitable. I’m not delusional.”

“This is what you are meant to do, and I know you’re going to get the break you’re looking for. I can feel it.”

“That’s the goal. But for now, I guess we should go downstairs and prepare for a very tense dinner,” I say ruefully.

“Forget about it. I’m looking forward to fighting Jordan for the slice of turkey with an erect nipple on it.”

We laugh. Just as he’s about to kiss me, I hear Ella clear her throat.

We both turn to see her standing in the doorway, with my phone in her hand. “Sorry to interrupt, but Georgie, I thought you’d want to know. Your phone has been going off like crazy with the Etsy cash register sound.”

“What?” I ask, taking it from her. “What do you mean?”

“It just started going nonstop. Are you having a sale on jars in your shop?” she asks.

I shake my head. I swipe open my phone, and OH MY GOD.

I have a slew of jar sales that have rolled in.

CHA-CHING!

Another one!

CHA-CHING!

“What is happening?” I cry. Then I see Georgie’s Jars been tagged in a Connectivity post. I tap it open, and my heart begins to beat furiously as I see Becca Montgomery has put up a picture of her and Antoni hugging next to a side table with an autumn-colored bouquet, candles, and my jars. I quickly read the caption:

So much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! I LOVE YOU, @antoninowak, you are my favorite BALLER ever, haaaaaaaaaa. ETA: So many of you have asked—the jars are by @GeorgiesJars.

“Oh my God, Becca tagged me in a post!” I say, stunned. I show Beckham and Ella. “People must be buying after seeing the jars in her picture. I had no idea she had that kind of a following.”

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