Page 380 of Small Town Firsts

"Where will you be?"

"In the very first row." He hands me my bag. "And when they call your name, I'll be the one cheering the loudest."

"Love you!" I say, darting inside before I get too emotional.

STERLING

"Is it still on?" Gabe asks from where he's seated beside me.

"Yeah.” I nod decisively. "Definitely."

"Are you nervous?" Zach asks, peeking around his now husband.

"Nope. Not at all." I lean back into my seat, resting my ankle on my knee.

"My, my." Gabe shoots me an amused look. "Aren't you confident, Mr. Abbot?"

"Fuck yeah, I am!" I exclaim, causing someone in the row behind us to shush me. All three of us turn around and glare.Like they've never heard someone drop an F-bomb before.

"You're positive she's gonna say yes?" Gabe asks, playing the devil's advocate like he loves to do.

It took a long time for us to warm up to each other, but now we're so close that we talk daily.

"How could she say no?" I ask, just as the lights overhead flicker, alerting us that the ceremony is about to begin.

I zone out for most of it. Graduation is graduation. I'm only here for one thing, and that's to watch my little mouse claim her diploma. Although, I guess she's not much of a mouse anymore.

No. She's bold and vibrant and the bravest person I know and, if everything goes right today, she'll eventually be my wife.Emmalyn Abbot has a ring to it, and I’m about to put a ringonit.

I'm so caught up in my thoughts that I almost miss them call her name.

"Emmalyn Price."

I jump to my feet, along with Zach and Gabe, clapping and whistling and cheering like we're at a football game, as she walks across the stage.

She looks my way, and I wink, mouthing the wordsproud of you, baby.

"Proud of you, sweets," Gabe says, shouldering me out of the way so that he can hug her first.

The blond giant is also a giant asshole.

"Thank you!" She smiles up at him and then hugs Zach.

I'm practically pouting by the time she makes it to me. "Best for last," she whispers in my ear, before slinging her arms around my neck.

"Damn straight, baby."

"Are y'all joining us for dinner?" Emmy asks.

"Ah, no can do," Zach says. "Gabe here has an interview."

"This late?" Emmalyn's eyes widen. "Where? With who? Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's online because of time differences." He shrugs. "And, I didn't want to jinx it."

"Okay, well. Good luck! Break a leg. Whatever applies."

Gabe shakes his head. "You're too much, sweets. I'll let you know the outcome."

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