Page 127 of The Forever After Bet

After the music ends, I count out six beats, straighten and curtsy. “Oh, my gosh!” I exclaim, jumping up and down.

I turn and look at Micah, who is smiling from ear to ear. “That was fantastic, Hannah. You nailed every element. You’re ready for this competition.”

“I’m so excited. I feel ready,” I say. I grab my towel, wiping sweat off my forehead.

“Is there anything you need from me accommodation wise?” Micah asks.

I shake my head. “No. We’re staying at the Hilton across the street from the competition theater. We check in Thursday night.”

“That’s where Sophie and I are staying as well. Who’s going with you?”

“My dad.” I smile.

I’m excited about my competition, but I’m also excited for one-on-one time with my dad. Things have been chaotic lately around my house as we get ready for the baby to come. Last weekend, we cleaned the upstairs spare bedroom to make it into the baby’s room. We painted the walls a light yellow and set up a cute natural wood crib.

“Wonderful. You need to check in for the competition by noon on Friday. As you are eighteen now, you don’t need your dad to go with you. Pre-qualifications for your division won’t start until at least three or four. So, you’ll have time to relax, go shopping, and hang out after check-in.”

“Sophie texted and said my costume was delivered from the seamstress, but I didn’t see any dress bags out front.”

“I put them in the back studio. They kept getting mixed up with the team costumes.” Micah points to the back of the building.

“Great. Okay, then I will see you Friday in Portland.”

Micah comes up and puts his arm around me. “I want you to know how proud I am of you. You have come such a long way from the shy girl I started teaching.”

“Thank you for all you’ve done to help me—especially last summer, when you held my hand and helped me prepare for cheer tryouts. My life has flourished since then, and I’ve made the most amazing friends. You helped me change my life.”

“You’re welcome, Hannah. Hopefully, I’ll be able to help you win some scholarship money for school.”

“Yes. I’m going to place in the top three. I keep telling myself that and putting the positive energy out there.”

“You’ve got this.” Micah squeezes my shoulders and let’s go. When I walk into the reception area, Ford is leaning against the counter, waiting for me.

“What’s up, Sweet Cheeks?” He smiles and walks over to me, kissing my cheek. He trails his hand up my arm, tugging at my top. “I’m digging the pink leotard. Usually, you wear black.”

“Thanks. I wear black when I teach. I’m not teaching today, so I can wear any color. What are you doing here?”

“Jack was taking Leah out tonight for Valentine’s Day since she’s going out of town with her family over the long weekend. I dropped him off, and he took the Venue.”

“So, long story short, you’re my ride home?” I smile, arching an eyebrow.

“Yes. I was getting to that.” Ford taps his finger on my nose.

“I need to grab my costume, and then we can go.”

“Sounds good.” Ford leans in, kissing me.

After searching the racks four times, I haven’t found the dress bag with my name on it. I’ve even opened them up and peaked inside, thinking maybe the names got switched, or the wrong name is on mine. Nope, it’s not here.

“Hey,” Micah says, coming in the back with Ford trailing behind him.

“It’s not here. I’ve looked at all the costumes.” I’m panicked. This is a bad omen. I need this weekend to go smoothly—no bumps, twists, or unexpected turns.

“We’ll find it,” Ford says, rubbing a soothing hand down my back.

“The team competition costumes are in my office. It probably got mixed up with them. They were all out in reception together before we moved them.”

We carefully go through over two dozen costumes, looking for mine, with no luck.

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