Page 128 of Wish You Were Mine
I followed behind Theo as he navigated his way down to the floor with Charlotte on his hip, trying to keep my expression measured even though I felt like I was practically floating.
Lucy’s parents had already made their way down. They’d been sitting a few rows in front of us with Nora’s parents this time, which had made it slightly easier for me to breathe throughout the meet.
I lingered back as she hugged them both. Her dad was speaking, his voice low but audible. I listened closely, half-expecting a critique or comment about things she could’ve done better since that was what he’d done last time. But all I heard was pride. Encouragement. Praise.
Good.She deserved that.
“You nailed it,” Theo said, stepping forward next and giving her a side hug. “If you keep that up, there’s no way you’re not placing top three at Nationals.”
“Hopefully.” Lucy exhaled softly, a flicker of nerves tightening her smile at the mention of Nationals. “I’m definitely going to give it my best.”
A brief silence followed, and then—like some unspoken cue—every eye turned to me.
I cleared my throat, summoning the most neutral, professor-appropriate tone I could manage. “You did really well, Lucy. Congratulations.”
Her gaze met mine, eyes shining. “Thank you, Professor Park.”
I knew she only said the title to keep up the pretense. But part of me wished we didn’t have to pretend. Not in a moment like this. Not when all I wanted to do was wrap her in my arms and tell her just how proud I was. How incredible she’d been.
“This deserves a celebration,” Mrs. Archibald said, slipping her arm behind her husband and turning to the group. “What do you say we all go to Jacob’s Steakhouse after this?”
“Sounds amazing.” Lucy nodded.
“Sounds great to me,” Theo added.
“And of course,” Mrs. Archibald said, turning to me with a gracious smile, “we’d be happy to have you join us, Owen. As a friend of Theo’s.”
“Oh—” I blinked, caught off guard by the invitation.
Dinner with Lucy’s entire family?
The prospect was positively terrifying.
But also…tempting in a way I hadn’t expected. A chance to be near her a little longer. To see her in her element with the people she loved most, riding the high of her win.
Even if it meant navigating the minefield that was President Archibald over steak and mashed potatoes.
Theo clapped me on the back. “You should come.”
I hesitated, scanning the group, still weighing the risk.
Then Lucy cut in, her tone casual but her eyes catching mine. “I’m sure my dad would love to hear about that grant you and Dean Harris are working on.”
President Archibald’s interest visibly sparked. “Oh, you’re the professor he’s been chatting with me about?”
“Yes, sir.” I nodded, not offended that he hadn’t remembered which department I worked for during our brief interaction at Lucy’s first meet. The man had a lot on his plate.
Everyone was looking at me now. Waiting.
“I’d love to join you for dinner,” I said.
“Perfect.” Mrs. Archibald beamed, showing me where Lucy had gotten her megawatt smile from. “I’ll call to make sure we can get a reservation. How about we plan to meet there around five?”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
And just like that, I was having dinner with the Archibalds.
No big deal.
