Page 62 of It Happened Again

“Thank you for not giving up on me.”

The car sped toward Orion, toward her big moment, if I could convince her between now and then to take the stage and claim her power. Toward everything.

23

MIC DROP

MAISY

The car rolledto a smooth stop outside of Orion. All lit up and dazzling for the night, to me, it appeared nothing more than a traitorous box. I reached for the door handle, nerves bubbling in my chest. Tonight was supposed to be the culmination of everything I’d worked for—weeks of testing and analyzing and reporting, too many sleepless nights, and more caffeine than one female body should be allowed.

"Wait," Brooks said, before I could get too far. He reached into the backseat. “Every great boss lady needs a powerful image.”

He pulled out a garment bag, unzipping it slowly, dramatically, as if about to reveal all the secrets of the world. Inside hung a satin gown the exact shade of a moonlit ocean, sleek and elegant with delicate off-the-shoulder straps and a daring plunging neckline. I gasped.

"Brooks," I whispered, trailing my fingers along the silky fabric. "You didn’t."

"I did. Weeks ago. I saw it in a window and thought, 'That’s the one she should wear when she changes the world.'"

"You’re unreal," I breathed, fighting the sting in my eyes.

"Just a man in love with you.”

I texted Sophie as I ran inside with the bag. She pulled me into a crushing hug when she saw me.

"Tell me everything,” she said as she helped me get dressed.

I launched in with a quick version of events. “Julian tried to steal my research. Patterson gave me a side-eye during the walkthrough and apparently only selected me for this because of my family connections to the Buchanans. I told Brooks to leave me alone. But it’s okay because we’re fine. And then... I realized he was the only one who never let me down. So I had to find him before this.”

“All of that happened? Where have I been? Oh yeah, pitching Richard and getting the marketing contract with Keaton for the Hops.”

“Oh my God!” We screamed and jumped together, then giggled. “I’m so proud of you, Sophie,” I said.

Her eyes softened. “I’m glad all that stress is behind you, because you were starting to scare me with the way you weren’t sleeping and keeping yourself running on espressos."

"I don’t really know what I’m doing here. Brooks says I should finish what I started and to do it for me, not anyone else, if I could even remember my speech, that is.”

She placed her hands on my shoulders, grounding me. "Maisy Calhoun, take some breaths. That’s it. In and out. Now, you have studied brainwaves, emotions, and every physiological marker of stress. You know this material inside and out. Luckily, you get to apply all of that brilliance to your own damn self. You’re not just a scientist. You’re a force. Go up there, speak from your soul, and burn the freaking house down."

I laughed. "You’re terrifying, and really good at this.”

"I know. Now go."

I stepped out of the bathroom transformed. The dress hugged me like it was made for me. She’d pulled my hair into asleek bun, using her own hair clips to keep it in place. She gave me a once-over and nodded.

"You look like your own version of success. Also like you’re determined to slay out there.”

“Thank you for putting me back together.”

We hugged then made our way into the venue, which was packed. Spotlights danced across the stage. The new wing shimmered beyond the glass wall, a visible reminder of what the night was supposed to be about.

But as I stepped into the crowd, I forgot all about the pressure when I saw my people. Mom stood tall in pretty dress, eyes shining. Chelsea, glowed next to Rex, waving me over, his arm around her. Vivian and Richard observed politely from the front row.

I went to each one and hugged them all. I stood off to the side, scouting the crowd for Brooks, but not finding him.

Patterson got up and started talking, and I barely heard a word, until the spotlight hit me. He’d announced me to the stage to present.

The applause was polite, murmured. A sea of faces, some familiar, most not. My family encouraged with smiles, not a clue what I’d been going through. I scanned the front row. Patterson reclaimed his seat smug beside Richard. Julian was—thank God—not present. Dr. Stone sent me a reassuring glance and nod.

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