Page 68 of Say You Remember Me
“Those classes were about a tenth the size of this event.”
I shrugged. “Still…I’m sure you’ll nail it.” Then, unable to resist, I added, “And if all else fails, don’t people always say to picture the crowd naked? Supposedly it helps.”
“You want me to pictureeveryonenaked?” Ian’s brows shot up, and his lips curved into a wicked grin. “Does that mean I have permission to include you in that?”
“I—uh…” Heat rushed to my cheeks, my face burning as I scrambled for a response.
He chuckled, holding up a hand. “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t have said that. But…I think that actually helped my nerves a little.”
“Picturing me naked?” I blurted before I could stop myself, my voice high and squeaky.
His grin widened. “No. Just joking about it did. I was actually a gentleman in my head and haven’t tried doing that yet.”
Yet?As in…he might try doing that later?
“Well…” I swallowed hard, my words catching in my throat. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
Before either of us could say anything else, two conference organizers stepped into the room. “Mr. Hastings, the tech crew is ready for you,” one of them said with a polite smile.
“Okay.” Ian nodded, straightening his suit jacket. As he followed them toward the ballroom, I stayed close behind, my heels clicking softly on the tiled hallway floor.
At the edge of the stage, Ian paused, turning back to me. His nerves seemed to resurface for just a moment, and I acted before I could overthink it.
Standing on my toes, I pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. “Good luck,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the hum of the crowd filtering in.
Ian turned his head slightly, his eyes locking on mine. The air between us shifted, heavy and warm, as if the rest of the room had melted away.
“Thanks,” he mumbled, his gaze lingering a second longer before he stepped onto the stage.
I slipped into a seat on the far side of the front row, pulling out my phone to record some footage for his social media accounts. My heart raced as I focused the camera on him, anticipation buzzing under my skin.
Ian Hastings might have been nervous, but as the spotlight hit him and he started to speak, it was clear to everyone in the room that he belonged up there.
23
IAN
“That wrapsup our time for questions,” the conference chairman said, taking the mic at the end of my keynote. “Let’s all give Ian Hastings a big round of applause for the incredible insights he just shared with us. I know my mind was blown more than once.”
The crowd erupted into applause, the sound swelling until people began rising to their feet.
A standing ovation.
I let the satisfaction settle in my chest, scanning the nearly thousand faces looking back at me with enthusiasm. I’d worked hard to prepare for this moment, and it seemed like the effort had paid off.
But as people swarmed toward me, shaking my hand, offering thanks, and peppering me with follow-up questions, my focus shifted to just one thing: Maddie.
Where was she?
Strange, wasn’t it? How quickly she’d become so integral to my life. In such a short time, Maddie had wedged herself into my world, her presence so natural it was hard to imagine her not being part of my future.
I spotted her weaving through the crowd a moment later, her face lit with the kind of smile that made my heart lurch.
“Make some room, please,” I said, gesturing for the crowd to part.
The sea of people parted, and when Maddie finally reached me, I didn’t hesitate. I pulled her into my arms, ignoring the curious glances from those still lingering around us.
“You were incredible!” she gushed, her voice bubbling with excitement as she looked up at me. “Seriously, Ian. That was amazing. I’m so proud of you.”
