They laugh like I’m adorable, and I want to sink into the floor.I finally get waved past the gauntlet and into the main ballroom.Chandeliers drip light over round tables dressed in white linen and the team's blue.A band plays something jazzy on stage.Screens around the room quietly replay season highlights, quick cuts of goals and celebrations, and Nate smiling like everything is effortless.
I scanned looking for him, I texted him on the way over, and he said he would meet me at the entrance.But he didn't, he’s at the far side of the room, halfway up the riser to the stage, surrounded by management and a cluster of suits.His head is tipped back in laughter, a drink in his hand.He looks… beautiful.Polished.Untouchable.
For a second, I just watch him, because these are the moments I never see up close.The ones where he slides fully into Captain Carson, where he belongs to everyone else.
I start to move toward him, picking my way through clusters of people, when a voice grabs my attention.
“You were beautiful as Anna, but you are absolutely stunning as yourself, Ms.Lane.”
I turn and find myself face-to-face with a man in an impeccably cut suit, dark hair, mid-thirties, the kind of easy confidence that comes from being the wealthiest person in most rooms.
He offers his hand.“We met on Halloween, Aaron Huxley.”
“Hi,” I say, shaking his hand carefully.“Nice to see you again.”
“Likewise.I’ve been hoping to run into you again.I was talking to some of my fellow Execs about you.They reminded me that we fund a lot of the mobile vet programs and livestock welfare initiatives in the valley.”His smile softens.“You’ve done some incredible work on your own, but we think you could do so much more if you worked with us.”
“Oh.”I blink.
He chuckles.“We were hoping you might be interested in expanding your work.We’d love to loop you in more formally.Our ranch initiative could use someone who actually understands animals and not just spreadsheets.”
Normally, this is the kind of conversation that would light me up.Live-in-the-barn, sleep-in-the-truck, Tessa would be buzzing.But tonight, my brain feels like it’s wading through mud.
“That’s… kind,” I say.“It’s been busy.I haven’t had much time to think bigger than the next call.”
“Well, that's where we can help,” He taps his phone onto mine with a quick gesture, transferring his contact information.“Consider this selfish.Good people are hard to find.You seem like one of them.”His gaze flicks over the room, something dry in his tone.“Too good for them, honestly.”
I frown.“Them?”
He opens his mouth, then glances behind me.His expression shifts, tightening around the edges.“Looks like someone’s waiting.”
I follow his gaze, and I see Nate at the edge of a group now, jaw set, staring straight at us.
Beside me, someone touches my elbow.I look up to find Erik, already dressed down in an undone bowtie and a knowing look.
“Sorry to steal her,” he says easily to Aaron.“Captain’s been pacing a groove in the floor.You ready, Tessa?”
“I...yeah.”I tuck a loose piece of hair behind my ear, suddenly self-conscious.“It was nice talking to you again.”
“Likewise,” Aaron says.“Don’t let them eat you alive.”
His words trail behind us as Anders gently steers me toward Nate.
“What does that mean?”I murmur.
Anders exhales through his nose, like he’s debating how honest to be.“That guy?Who knows what he is up to?He’s the one Brielle left Nate for.”
The floor tilts for a second.Is that what all this has been about?
“Oh.”It’s all I can manage.
Erik shoots me a sideways look.“Just… keep your head up, okay?You’re not crazy if this feels like a lot.”
Before I can unpack that, we’re there.Nate steps toward me, eyes raking over my dress, my hair, every carefully constructed bit of me.
“Holy fuck, Red,” he breathes.“You look…”
He doesn’t finish.He grabs me, one hand at my waist, the other cupping my jaw, and kisses me.It’s not gentle.It’s not the soft, I-missed-you kind of kiss he gives me when I show up at his place in scrubs and messy hair.
