Page 128 of One Small Spark
This woman who cloaks herself in cynicism like battle armor has the softest, most loyal heart at her center. Gathering everyone together to support me—the guy she used to proudly proclaim was hernemesis—must have cost her some vulnerability. A moment of open-hearted risk wrapped up in her “don’t defy me” attitude.
“Wren.” I reach up to pull her in for a quick kiss. “I love you.”
“That’s because I’m awesome.” She kisses me again. “But so are you. This is going to be a slam dunk. In biking terms, that’s like…going really fast down a hill.”
“Thanks for putting it a way I can understand.”
She touches her nose against mine. “And I love you, too.”
“They’re about to start,” Lila says, quieting everyone.
Nerves ping through my chest with fresh enthusiasm. My family’s presence won’t cure me of my anxiety. I might still panic when I get up there, whether it’s obvious to anyone in the audience or not.
But having everybody important to me in the front rows grounds me at my core. Whether I deliver my presentation flawlessly or totally blow it, they’re here for me.
All because of the spitfire woman I love.
“We should crash more parties.” Wren gazes up at me as we slow dance in the lodge’s barn.
“We had an explicit invitation.” My parents left as soon as my presentation ended but told us to come by once everything wrapped up at the town hall meeting. We’re underdressed for the evening, but we’re not the only ones. Most of the rest of our friends showed up at the gala, too, ready to dance and mingle and bid on Leo’s signed Hornets gear.
My eyes popped out of my head when I saw the amount Grant spent to win a signed jersey. Leo would probably give it to him for free now, but it’s for a good cause.
Wren focuses on something past my shoulder, steering us that way. I bump into someone and turn to see the man of the hour. Dancing with my sister.
It’s going to take me a second to adjust, but I’m fine with it. As long as I ignore how low his hand rests on her waist, I’m totally fine.
“You did great tonight.” Charlie said as much right after I finished the presentation, but I can appreciate herpraise more now that the buzzing noise in my head has died down. “I’m proud of you.”
Lila’s already heard positive reactions from council members and residents. Her eager texts will probably double now as we plan for the next steps in the process.
“Hey, I’m proud ofyou. Look at this place.” It’s hard to believe this is the same space that used to be a catch-all for machinery, animals, and Grandpa’s collection of old tools. Now, it shines like a new penny. “You had a dream, and you went for it.”
Leo swipes a finger beneath one eye. “Stop, it’s getting too emotional in here.”
“Are you sure you want to deal with this guy?” I ask my sister.
She tips her head toward Wren. “Do you want me to ask her the same question?”
“Nope.” I spin us away, ignoring their laughter.
“The answer’s yes,” Wren says after a minute. She’s got one hand on the back of my neck, making it hard for me to concentrate. “I do want to deal with you. Just a little.”
“A little, huh?” We slow in the middle of the dance floor. My throat tightens as if I’m standing on that stage again, even though Wren is the only one close enough to hear me. “Thank you for everything you did tonight. Getting everybody to show up. Being there for me. It meant more than I can say. I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you.”
She lifts a mischievous eyebrow. “I have some ideas about that.”
I lean closer, ready to hang on every word. “Really?”
“Do you want to go to New Zealand with me?” She bites her lower lip but plows on. “I was thinking in the spring.Ourspring, their fall. It should still be warm enough to enjoy the beaches but not so busy we’re surrounded by touristy crowds.”
I draw her to me until our bodies are flush together. “Wren. Yes. Absolutely, yes.”
Her smile is like the first rays of sunshine over the mountains on a summer morning. “Good. I already told Mom and Tess I’m taking the time off. So…all we have to do is make some plans.”
“I would like to make a lot of plans with you.”
She rolls her eyes but doesn’t sell her exasperation very hard. “Big goals there, Callahan?”
