I laugh. “Not since I was a teenager. Amy used to convince me to go as Batman while she went as Wonder Woman. We thought we were so cool.”
“I bet youwere. Ash has been begging me to help him make a Spider-Man costume for Halloween. Maybe you could give me some tips, since you have experience.”
“I’d be happy to help. Fair warning, though—Amy was the creative one. I was just the guy who wore whatever she put together.”
“I’m sure you’re being modest.” Alexa smiles. “You seem pretty capable at most things.”
The compliment makes me feel warm in a way that has nothing to do with the crowded convention center.
My phone buzzes, and I check it automatically, hoping for news from the hospital. Nothing. Just a spam text.
“Jordan!” Ash appears at my elbow, practically vibrating with excitement. “Can we go to the Marvel booth? They have actual props from the movies!”
“Absolutely.”
We spend the next hour exploring the different booths, and I find myself genuinely enjoying the experience. Ash’s joy is contagious, Alexa’s laughter fills the spaces between conversations, and Henry seems content to watch all the colorful costumes from his stroller.
I’m watching Ash examine a display of vintage comic books when I notice a familiar face across the vendor floor. Enoch Harrison, one of the radiologists from the hospital, is working at what appears to be a VIP booth for meet-and-greets with celebrity guests.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell Alexa, then walk over to Enoch.
“Jordan! What are you doing here?” Enoch grins and gives me a quick handshake. “Taking a break from your time off?”
“Something like that. Hey, is that the VIP section you’re working?”
“Yeah. My brother runs the event-management company that handles the celebrity appearances. It’s pretty awesome.”
I glance back at Ash, who’s staring longingly at a poster advertising photo ops with the movie star Camden Qisha. “The kid I’m with is a huge fan. Any chance you could help us out?”
Enoch follows my gaze and sees Ash practically pressed against the display case. “He likes Ironveil?”
“Lives and breathes comics. This would really make his day.”
“Say no more.” Enoch pulls out his radio. “Hey, Tom? I’ve got a doctor friend here with a kid who would love to meet Camden Qisha. Can we work something out?”
Ten minutes later, I’m walking back to Alexa and Ash with three VIP passes in my hand.
“What’s that?” Alexa asks, eyeing the lanyards suspiciously.
“VIP passes. Ash is going to get to meet Camden Qisha.”
Ash’s eyes go so wide I think they might pop out of his head. “Are you serious? Like, actuallymeethim?”
“Actually meet him. Photo, autograph, the whole thing.”
“Mom!” Ash grabs Alexa’s arm. “Did you hear that? I’m going to meet Ironveil!”
Alexa looks at me with something between amazement and concern. “Jordan, those passes must cost a fortune. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I pulled some strings. A colleague of mine is working the event.” I hand her a pass, then lean in to whisper to her. “Besides, Ash’s reaction is worth more than whatever these cost.”
She bites into a smile, and a level of happiness I didn’t think was possible right now bubbles up in my chest.
The VIP area is cordoned off with velvet ropes, and there’s a much smaller, more manageable crowd. When it’s Ash’s turn to meet Camden Qisha, I’ve never seen a kid more excited.
“Hi there,” Camden says, crouching down to Ash’s level. “I hear you’re a big fan.”
“I’ve seen all the Ironveil movies like a hundred times,” Ash says, his voice slightly breathless. “And I have almost every comic from theMoon Towerstoryline.”
