Page 62 of Rival Hearts

Jett looked at Riley with the unspoken question and when Riley nodded with a smile, Jett smiled back. “We’d love to,” Jett said.

Josephine sighed in relief and Jett saw Ember’s shoulders drop slightly. “Thank you so much,” Josephine said. “It’s just that this has been the first proper night in so long that I’ve been off work and we were thinking about going out together, but I completely forgot to ask earlier, I’ve been so busy.”

“Of course,” Jett said. “It’s not a problem, and I love watching Natalie. Any time you want, even if it’s just to catch up on some rest, let me know and I’ll be there. You two know that.” Jett laughed slightly. “Though I would usually prefer a little notice. But it’s not a problem.”

Josephine grimaced. “Yeah,” she said. “We actually thought about it a few days ago and I told Ember that I’d ask you but then I forgot and didn’t realize until we were literally on the way here.”

Jett waved her hand in dismissal. “It’s no problem at all, we will have a great time, even if I do have to stop the champagne early to take my childcare responsibilities seriously,” she said and Josephine smiled.

Aunt Becky laughed and nudged Riley. “I hope you know that if you two ever get married, you’ll have to have gallons of champagne at the wedding or Jett will riot.”

“Aunt Becky,” Jett said, “it’s definitely way too early to think about marriage.”

“I know, I know,” she said and turned back to Riley. “Just remember that when it’s not too early.”

“I will,” Riley promised and Jett shook her head. She was right, it definitely was way too early to start thinking about marriage, but she did realize, as she looked at Riley, that she could see herself marrying Riley.

* * *

“And now, we are moving onto the award part of our ceremony,” the host said. “If Mayor Greene would come up,” they said and the mayor made her way to the stage. “When I call your name, if you would come up to the stage, please,” the host said.

Jett was actually a little surprised. She didn’t know this event was going to have an award ceremony. She didn’t know if that was a new thing or if she didn’t read the invitation well enough. Probably the latter, she figured. Jett mostly found out about this thing through her family, anyway. They all knew that she was terrible about checking her mail.

The host started calling out award titles and names, and Jett finished her food after the first couple of names were called. She decided to check her phone to see how long this thing had been going on for when she got distracted by an email. It wasn’t anything too important, just a reminder to pay her phone bill, but for some reason the bill was more money than what she was used to.

Jett was trying to figure out what was going on and why her phone company was trying to charge her so much money when suddenly, the table that she was sitting at erupted in applause. Jett was startled and looked up from her phone to see Riley and her family all clapping and looking at her.

Jett was confused and was about to ask what was going on when Riley tugged on her shirt and pointed at the stage. Jett was confused and certainly looked it.

Riley leaned into Jett’s ear and whispered. “They called your name. Go to the stage!”

What? Jett thought, there’s no way. She couldn’t have won an award. What would it have even been for, anyway?

But after another tug on her shirt and some silent prodding from her family, Jett got up from the table and walked, very confused, to the stage.

Jett felt in a blur as the Mayor shook her hand.

“I commend you for risking your own life to save others, you are truly a hero, Jett Thompson and Phoenix Ridge is lucky to have you.” The mayor smiled at Jett kindly and placed a medal round her neck.

The whole room burst into further applause.

Jett felt the medal around her neck and picked it up. She read the inscription. “For Exceptional Bravery, Jett Thompson.” Jett’s face burned further.

Jett made it back to the table in a daze amongst everyone trying to congratulate her.

Riley’s proud smile was the one she headed straight for.

“I’m so proud of you. I love you,” Riley said as she squeezed Jett’s thigh under the table.

Jett thought of her father for just a second and tears began to form in her eyes. She leant into Riley and Riley put her arm around her, kissing the top of her head.

“I’ve got you, beautiful, I’ve got you.”

And Jett knew that she had.

EPILOGUE

RILEY- 3 YEARS LATER

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