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“Come on, let’s get you a front-row seat.”
Claire motioned with a nod. “I think Ryan is looking for you.”
Tori turned to see her brother waving to her from the second-level stairway. Ah, perfect.
“Go. I’ll save you a seat.”
Tori squeezed Claire’s hand and then weaved her way through the gym. Ryan had already fought tonight and had since changed into a suit that made her grin with sisterly pride.
“Wow, look at you.”
“Come with me. I wanna show you something.”
“Now? I need to talk you. It’s important.”
“It’ll only take a minute.”
She followed him up the stairs. The noise fell away and the clicking of her heels echoed through the hallway. The tarps and tape were gone.
“Oh, good. Are the repairs done? I’ve been so busy with the fundraiser I haven’t had a chance to check it out since you took the tarps down this afternoon.”
“I have a confession.” He stepped in front of her, blocking the view of her office. “There wasn’t a roof leak.”
She pushed past him. “I don’t understand.”
She flipped the switch, and light flooded the room. “Oh, my God,” she whispered as the area opened up before her. She walked into the center of the room and turned, taking in every detail — her sensory equipment was hung and placed around the room, her desk sat in the back corner, and still more space existed in every direction she looked.
“Is this my office? It’s huge. How did you pull this off?” She punched him in the arm and then squeezed him hard.
“I had a little help. What do you think? This is your new office-slash-sensory-training room. You’ll probably need to move the equipment around and get it how you like, but I wanted to surprise you.”
“I’m surprised,” she admitted. “Thank you.”
Ryan held his hand out to silence her. “You hear that?” He turned and walked out of the room.
“Hear what?” she asked, following behind him. She broke into a nervous sweat when she realized a chorus of voices chanted her name from below. She held on to the cold metal railing and looked down over the crowd.
Chris stood in the center of the ring, microphone in hand, leading the entire gym in a chant for her. The room erupted in cheers when they spotted her, and Tori laughed with the absurdity of the situation.
She turned to Ryan, who was grinning and clapping beside her. “What is all this?”
“Go to your boyfriend and find out.”
His smile grew, and Tori held her breath, waiting for him to lecture her. “You don’t look pissed.”
“Pissed? I’m ecstatic! Go get your man!” He waved her off.
“I don’t understand. You know?”
Ryan shook his head. “Of course I know.”
“How? When? Did Elle tell you? She promised.” Tori stomped her foot.
“No.” Ryan tugged her hair softly. “I gave Chris my blessing on the day you moved in and again today.”
“Your blessing? He told you? And you’re okay with—” She pointed between her and Chris.
“Are you kidding? I’m thrilled. Finding someone good enough for my baby sister isn’t an easy task, but Chris — well, he’s the best man I know. And pretty damn perfect for you.”
