Mac.
He went by that now. Of course he did— NFL players didn’t go by boring, studious names like Dylan.
Still, her eyes caught on the silver, stitched name across the back.McKenzie. Her stomach flipped. She hadn’t seen him yet, not in person, but somehow his presence filled the room like he had already stepped inside.
The gala had been a safe idea in theory. She was here professionally, with her coworkers from the accounting firm in Honeyshore. It wasn’t like she’d run into him face-to-face.
Right? He was definitely too important for her anyway. She would just avoid him– everything would be totally fine.
She turned away quickly, clutching her cherry blossom martini— her go-to cocktail— and made a beeline for the side of the hall, pretending to study a raffle display. Her navy sequin dress shimmered under the lights, catching flashes of movement with every step. The off-the-shoulder neckline gave it a trendy edge, but more importantly, it let her feel pretty while still covering the insecurities she wasn’t ready to shed. The maroon jewelry and matching clutch added a rich pop of color— a quiet tribute to Magnolia Bluff’s legacy hues. And then there were the shoes: maroon Adidas, clean and bold. She was a sneakers and tennis shoes kind of girl anyway, so tonight’s theme was perfect.
The dress was technically a midi, but on her 5'2" frame, it grazed the tops of her shoes like a gown. She felt good in it. Strong. Present. But her heart still raced.
She wasn’t here for him.
She wasn’t the same girl who used to wait in the student section, heart pounding every time he touched the ball. She had built a whole new life.
So why did just seeing his name on a jersey make it feel like the floor shifted under her feet?
The soft hum of conversation filled the banquet hall as Ali stood near the tall windows, the glowing stadium lights spilling across the empty field below like a spotlight on the past she’d tried to leave behind. The night air was cool on the balcony where a few guests had already wandered, some going down to take pictures on the turf— laughing, snapping photos, reliving their college days in the glow of the floodlights. Ali’s fingers tightened around her clutch as the glittering decorations caught the light, reflecting the sequins in the dresses around her.
The annual Sneakers & Sequins Gala. She had never gone before, but this year the cause was different. She was here for the new program the university was rolling out.
This was Magnolia Bluff University’s world— a world she had walked away from ten years ago.
Still, she wasn’t alone in this sea of sequins and nostalgia.
Ali exhaled and let herself be gently pulled back into the present by Abigail’s animated voice beside her.
“Oh my God, that guy definitely just winked at you,” Abigail whispered with a grin, bumping her shoulder playfully as she sipped from a glass of bubbly.
Ali laughed, the sound surprising even herself. “He was absolutely aiming at you,” she said, lifting her cocktail “You’re the one in the gold dress with legs for days.”
“True, but you’re the only one who matched your sneakers to your clutch,” Abigail replied, nodding at Ali’s maroon Adidas. “You’ve got the whole aesthetic down. Definitely main character energy.”
Their coworkers from the Whitestone CPA office mingled nearby, swapping college stories, hashing out the upcoming football season, snapping selfies with the mascots— Riptide & Captain Rip, and making bids at the silent auction tables. The mood had shifted— lighter now that the drinks were flowing and the music softened to a background hum. “Banana Pancakes” played over the speakers, mellow guitar riffs drifting through the air like a memory. Ali let her guard down inch by inch, reminding herself of how far she’d come.
She and Abigail made their way toward the dessert table, dodging a pair of tipsy alumni reenacting their old cheer routine. For a moment, Ali let herself feel it: the joy, the ease, the way the soft lighting made everything look warm and golden.
Then the room dimmed slightly as a spotlight hit the stage. The background music faded into quiet.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” came the smooth voice of Provost Kensington from the microphone at the podium, “thank you for joining us tonight at the Magnolia Bluff University Sequins & Sneakers Gala. Your presence here honors not just our past, but the future we are building together.”
Abigail leaned in. “Oooo, is it time?” she whispered excitedly.
Ali smiled, but her heart gave a quiet stutter. She knew what was coming.
“And now,” Provost Kensington continued, “it is my great pleasure to introduce someone who has given so much to this university both on and off the field. A proud alumnus, a leader, and a changemaker… please welcome to the stage— Mac McKenzie.”
The applause rose like a tide, and Ali froze.
He was here.
And he was walking toward the stage.
And there was nowhere left to hide.
And just like that, the air left her lungs.
