Chapter 17
17
Graduation day was absolutely perfect–brilliant sunshine, that crisp spring air that makes everything feel possible. Tristan stood there looking devastating in his tailored black suit, clutching white lily of the valley like his life depended on it.
For once, Mr. Unflappable looked genuinely nervous. I watched him take this shaky breath, like he was summoning every bit of courage he’d ever possessed. Then he dropped to one knee right there in front of
everyone:
“Noa, would you be willing to become my lifelong research partner? For all future projects?”
The tears hit me like a freight train. I was nodding before he even finished talking, and then his arms were around me and everything felt right in a way I’d forgotten was possible.
That’s when I spotted him..
Lennon, lurking at the edge of the crowd like some kind of ghost.
Jesus, he looked like hell. All sharp angles and hollow cheeks where there used to be that cocky confidence. His eyes found the ring on my finger across the chaos of celebrating families, and his voice
carried over the noise, rough and broken:
“Noa… be happy, okay?”
Something twisted in my chest–not heartbreak, not anymore. Just this weird mixture of relief and
finality.
“Thanks,” I said, meaning it. “I will be.”
He stood there watching me in my cap and gown, surrounded by joy and love and a future that had nothing to do with him. The boy who used to be my whole world, now just a stranger witnessing the life he’d thrown away.
He could never catch up now. The happiness that had once been within his grasp was forever trapped in the past.
That night, moonlight painted everything silver as familiar arms wrapped around me from behind.
“Pretty sure someone still owes me dinner…”
I laughed, leaning back against his chest. “God, you have the memory of an elephant.”
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Done Hiding as Your Backup Plaything I’m Shining Golden as a Queen
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Chapter 17
“Pick anywhere. I’m buying you the most expensive meal you can think of!”
His laugh rumbled against my back: “Really? You sure about that?”
“Absolutely! What’s the damage gonna be? Some crazy Michelin star place?”
“Oh, it’s very expensive.”
“Okay now I’m scared. What exactly are you craving? Please tell me you’re not thinking about that place that charges like $500 for a steak…”
He cut me off with a kiss that made my knees buckle.
“You.”
One word, delivered in a voice that made heat pool low in my stomach.
The world tilted as he swept me up, swallowing whatever breathless protest I might have made.
We had all night.
And for the first time in forever, I had exactly where–and who–I wanted to be.
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