Page 102 of The Love Syllabus

“This is your night, Vic.” I lift my chin, squaring my shoulders. “And we’re going to celebrate you.”

“Kerry—” His brows furrow.

“You said I decide what I wanna do, right?”

“Of course.”

“Well,” I state, unashamed. “I’m going to be here to support you. That is if you aren’t ashamed of me.” My voice dips, a bit of insecurity seeping through.

A smirk forms on his face, and he pulls me in for a kiss. “Are you kidding me? I’m the luckiest man here.”

Though I feel my past clawing at my skin, trying to pull me back into its grip, I refuse to be buried in old wounds. Vic extends his hand, and I accept graciously, allowing the chaos to swirl around me while I enter the colosseum with my head held high.

The awards show is buzzing with energy, the kind that hums in the air like electricity. I feel it all—the lights, the prying eyes, the weight of my whispered name on every tongue, but I don’t let it touch me.

Not when Vic is beside me. Not when his hand is resting warm and solid on my thigh beneath the table, brushing lazy circles against my skin as confirmation of his protection and loyalty. Not when every time I glance at him, he’s already looking at me like nothing and no one else matters.

So, I focus on us. On the way, we laugh, celebrate, and pretend like tonight is just another moment in time.

Even when the host, a well-loved comedian, steps onto the stage and smirks before saying, “Now, y’all know we can’t have an awards show without a little drama. But Kerry Kind said,‘Why have a red carpet moment when I can steal the whole show?’”

Laughter erupts, and I shake my head, smirking. Vic, mildly amused at best, leans in, his lips barely grazing my ear. “He better be careful, or he won’t make it to the end of the show.”

Thus far, it’s been a clean sweep. Vic’s won every award he was nominated for, but now it’s time for the one he wants to win the most. The final award of the night. Culinary Master of the Year.

The presenter slowly opens the envelope, and the second they say“Victor Grimes,”the entire room stands to their feet.

I clap my hands so hard they sting. I beam proudly as Vic rises from his seat, brushing a lingering kiss against my temple before heading to the stage. He stands at the podium, gripping his award, his voice steady but thick with emotion.

“This… this means everything.” He exhales, running a hand over his beard before continuing. “For a long time, I didn’t think I’d ever stand on this stage again. I wasn’t sure I wanted to. I lost myself. I lost my passion for cooking, creating, and making art out of food. As you all know, I lost two of the few people I loved the most. Two people who helped shape the most important parts of me.”

The room is silent, hanging on to his every word.

“But I was saved. By love. By family.” His throat bobs, and I watch as his eyes sweep over the crowd. “I have to start by saying thank you to my father, the man who built me. My late wife, the woman who loved me through every season of my life. My mother, who held me together when I was breaking. My brother, who always believed I could find my way back. My girls. My daughters. Syd and Ari.” His voice breaks just a little, but he holds steady. “They saved me. Their beauty overcame the ugliest time of my life and reminded me that love doesn’t end; it transforms. It resurrects.”

I press my fingers to my heart, fighting the swell of emotion in my chest.

“And after resurrection, there is light. A light that refuses to allow my darkness to return. A light named Kerry Kind.”

A soft gasp catches in my throat, and my vision blurs with unshed tears.

“Kerry, you remind me every day that love isn’t lost. That second chances exist. That I’m not the sum of my pain, but the sum of the love I choose to embrace.”

A collective aww ripples through the crowd as cameras flash. I can only sit there, completely overcome by the words coming out of his mouth.

Vic takes a steadying breath, looking out over the crowd. “So, I accept this honor, not just as a chef, not just as a man who lost his way and found it again, but as proof that love is the greatest thing we’ll ever create. This—” he holds up the award. “And the man I am today is because of the resurrecting beauty of love.”

The entire coliseum erupts into thunderous applause of thunderous, a standing ovation of teary-eyed admiration.

Vic stands there, taking it all in—humble, powerful, and raw. I’ve never been more in awe of a man, and I can’t look away. I’m stunned not just by his talent or success but by his heart. His resilience. His love.

And in this moment, I realize without hesitation, doubt, or fear that I’m completely and irreversibly in love with Victor Grimes.

Chapter 27

Sinfully Sweet – Kerry

Vic and I are riding a high, refusing to let any drama ruin our night. Not a night like this—one filled with celebration, laughter, and no one else but us.

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