“Can we get a round of applause for the cast of our spring final production?”
The crowd obeys, erupting in cheers and whistles.
Sutton beams with pride, something I’m realizing I haven’t seen him do before. Not to this extent at least and certainly not since the quarry.
“I was nervous with this lot, I have to say, but they worked hard, and they blew everything out of the water. It’s truly been a privilege watching them learn, grow, and work together to make this the best play it could be.”
The crowd bursts into applause again, agreement murmuring through the room.
“Which is why I’m sad to say this will be my last production at Avernia.”
A hush falls over us. My eyes widen, and I glance at Sabrina and the others where they’re mingling across the floor. She shrugs, leaning into Percy, who wraps an arm around her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
Though he’s not fully recovered, he definitely looks better than when I last saw him. And I’m glad to see them finally giving in to each other.
When they break off to find Lexington in the crowd, congregating together like they’re the only three in the world, I hide a smirk to myself, incredibly happy to see it working out for all of them.
“See, this semester, I was lucky in a lot of ways. Teaching has been a great passion of mine for many years, and I’ve always enjoyed getting to share my love for the theater with others.” Sutton’s eyes find mine, and I think my heart stops beating. “But it turns out there’s something I love a bit more than the theater, and her name is Elle Anderson. So… This is my official resignation. Thank you all for coming out.”
Foxe and I blink at each other as he dismounts the stage.
“Did he just…”
I nod, unable to speak, even as Sutton rejoins us.
“Well?” he prompts, grinning as he removes the flowers from my hands, shoves them into Foxe’s arms, and laces our fingers together. “You wanted public. It doesn’t get much more public than that.”
Disbelief colors my thoughts. “You didn’t have toresign.”
“They were going to fire me anyway. Or make my life hell here. Until Dean Bauer is out, I’m not sure this is a safe place for me anyway, so…it’s fine.” He reaches for my chin, tilting my face up. “I just hope you’re still attracted to me even when we don’t have the whole student-professor thing going for us.”
Snorting, I slide my arms around his neck, nuzzling his nose with my own. “That’s what role-play is for, right? Besides, you’re the one who said you wanted to keep me forever. No takebacks. No returns.”
He shakes his head, kissing me again. And again. And again, until Foxe gets uncomfortable and goes to find my brother.
“God, I love you.” Sutton presses his forehead to mine. “I’m sorry I made you wait so long to hear it back.”
“I would’ve waited forever for you,” I say, tangling my fingers in his hair.
Because fate, though chaotic and cruel, has no expiration date.
My throat istight as I knock on Quincy’s office door. I think the number of plants in her office has doubled since the start of the semester.
She glances up from a book on classical sculpture when I step inside, marking her place with a highlighter.
“Have a seat,” she says, gesturing to the suede armchair across from her.
I obey, even though this is the last thing I’d like to be doing. Still, our parents insisted we work things out, so here I am.
She sighs, long and hard. Adjusts her glasses. Fidgets with the gold rings adorning her slender fingers.
I tap my foot on the ground, waiting. “Well? You summoned me here. Talk.”
“Yes, I did.” She leans back in her oversize leather desk chair. “Apologies don’t come easily to me, you know.”
“Well, we’re not starting off super strong.”
Her nose wrinkles up. “I am…sorry. For meddling, for not trusting you, for saying you didn’t have talent. I’m sorry for it all. You were right. I was projecting, and I let my own feelings and problems interfere when I shouldn’t have. You’re an adult. You should be able to make your own decisions and live your own life.”
