Page 135 of The Forever After Bet

“I can’t believe you’re here. This is the best surprise. Thank you so much for coming.” Hannah looks up at me.

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

I step back, looking her over. She’s wearing a bright fuchsia and teal costume. It is covered in varying shades of fuchsia and teal flowers, which are also adorned with sequins and rhinestones. The flowers weave a pattern along her torso up around her neck, leaving a large cutout pattern in the middle. The bottom of the costume is a sheer skirt that reaches her knees.

But what I can’t take my eyes off is her hair. She’s wearing an elaborate headpiece that goes all the way around her head like a headband. Her blonde curls are wild on top of her head and covered in a fine layer of glitter.

“Look at you.” I whistle. “And this hair.” I reach out to grab a curl but then think better of it.

“Crazy, huh? They’re in little ponytails with lots of gel, hairspray, and bobby pins. My head is going to be super sore tomorrow.”

“You’re absolutely gorgeous.” I lean in to kiss her, but she ducks away.

“I threw up,” she whispers. “Nerves.”

“It’s okay,” I say, kissing her cheek. “It happens.”

“Here, these are for you.” Sophie hands her a roll of antacids and a bottle of water.

“I have some gum if that will help,” I say, pulling a pack of cinnamon gum out of my back pocket.

She chews a Tums, making a disgusting face while she does. “Mint. Yuck.”

“Here, the gum will help,” I say, handing her a piece.

She smiles. Ever since I found out she doesn’t like mint, I started chewing cinnamon or fruit-flavored gum instead.

“Want to see something?” Hannah asks as she takes the gum.

“I’m looking at the most beautiful someone right now. There’s nothing that can top it” I wink at her.

Hannah’s cheeks turn pink. “I want to show you this.” She pulls at her costume next to her hip, flipping the elastic fabric over to reveal a little blue note pinned to it. “Micah said you asked him to put it in my costume bag when he found it. Thank you. I giggled and cried for five minutes straight.”

“Did you like what it said?” I ask, trailing my hands down her arms.

“It’s not about being the best. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.” Hannah smiles up at me. “Except…” Hannah plays with a button on my shirt.

“Except what?”

“You didn’t kiss it?” A smile breaks out across her face, and she laughs.

“I’m sorry. I left my lipstick at home.”

“They’re getting ready to start,” Micah says, approaching us.

I nod. I grab Hannah, crashing my mouth to hers before she can stop me. I hold my mouth to hers. “I love you.”

“I love you,” she says, rubbing her hand along my cheek.

“Don’t think about anything but your dance. You’ve got this. Make this moment matter.”

“I will. Thank you for being here.”

I kiss Hannah once more and wait with her until she, Sophie, and Micah head toward the backstage area.

“That gorgeous woman is my wife,” I whisper to myself as she disappears from my view.

53. Dancer

---