Page 54 of Wish You Were Mine
“Congrats on taking first on beam!” Mom said, pulling me into a hug with her free arm.
“Thanks.” I smiled and hugged her back, even as my brain filled in the parts she didn’t mention, like how I’d placed second on both floor and bars. Solid scores. But not quite enough.
Which meant second place overall in the all-around.
So close.
But not quite good enough since a girl from Minnesota had edged me out by one-tenth of a point.
One-tenth.
Ugh.
Theo appeared at my side then, wearing his usual lopsided grin. “You crushed it tonight,” he said, pulling me into a quick side hug. “That beam routine was insane. I don’t think you blinked once.”
“Thanks.”
Was my family purposely only talking about the beam? It was definitely my most impressive event tonight—I’d gotten a near perfect score of 9.9325…but I had other great moments, too.
It’s probably just all in your head,I told myself.It’s not that deep.
Well…with my mom and Theo, it wasn’t. My dad on the other hand… I guess I was still bracing myself for his critique.
Theo shifted his stance, stepping aside slightly to make room for someone behind him.
Owen.
Our eyes met for a split second before he looked over at Theo, clearly waiting for an introduction.
“Oh, right,” Theo said, catching the cue. “I don’t think I’veever officially introduced you two. This is my friend Owen. I invited him to the meet tonight.” Then, turning to Owen and gesturing toward me, he added, “And Owen, this is my very talented little sister, Lucy.”
I let myself take in Owen more fully, and when our eyes met again, there was something in the slight tug of his smile, the flicker of hesitation just beneath it, that made my stomach tighten.
“You guys actually met at The Garden a few weeks ago,” Theo continued. “But Owen and I didn’t realize you were one of his students until tonight, when I pointed you out during warmups and he recognized you from one of his classes this week.”
“Oh yeah,” I said, turning toward Owen, forcing my pulse to chill out and my expression to stay casual. “I’m in your Monday and Wednesday lecture. And your Thursday lab. I kept trying to figure out why you looked so familiar when I walked into class. I didn’t realize you were also the bartender.”
His mouth curved slightly at my innocent act, but before he could respond, my dad—who’d apparently been eavesdropping—cut in.
“You’re one of Lucy’s professors?”
“Uh, yes sir.” Owen straightened slightly. “I guess so.” His voice stayed calm, but I caught the flicker of unease in his eyes. “This week’s been a blur. So many new students—I’m still matching names to faces.”
Right. Just another student.
Which was exactly what I was supposed to be.
Still, I hated how that small comment seemed to erase the moment we’d shared at Ky’s party.
It had meant something to me, at least.
And hearing it brushed off like it was forgettable? That stung alittle.
But then, he looked back at me, and with a smile that was warm and genuine, he said, “You were incredible tonight, by the way. Seriously. I could tell how much work and training went into that. Super impressive. Awe-inspiring, honestly.”
My chest warmed instantly, my disappointment melting under the soft glow of his praise. Compliments always felt good. But from him? It was like getting a gold medal in a private category no one else knew existed.
“You did great out there,” Dad said next, giving me a brief one-armed hug. “Beam was flawless. And that first tumbling pass on floor—nailed it.”
