All I can feel ishim.
His mouth. His body drawing me in like he’s been waiting all night for this.
When he finally pulls back, we’re both breathing hard. His forehead rests against mine, and his hands grip my waist like he has no intention of letting me go.
“Do you have any idea what you did out there? You were incredible, Princess.”
“I just sang, Scotty. It’s not a big deal.” I play it down, more to myself than him. It was just one song, one time, after all.
Scotty scoffs. “Please. You did more than sing.” He pulls me into a hug, his arms wrapping around me so tight I can barely breathe. “You showed everyone what I've been seeing all along. You were perfect, Laura. Absolutely perfect.”
I let my forehead rest against his chest for a beat, my pulse finally slowing as I feel him hold me like he’s afraid I might float away.
I tilt my chin up with a small smile. “You weren’t exactly invisible out there either. Five points?That’s—”
“Because of you,” he interrupts. “All of it. Everything tonight was because of you.”
“That's not—”
“Miss Conners?”
The voice cuts in from behind Scotty, and we break apart. Scotty’s hands slide down my waist and he pulls me close. I turn to find Coach McKibbon with Professor Foster walking by his side with a small smile on her face. She must know that she changed my entire life just by pairing me with this brilliant man last year.
But it’s the woman beside them who makes me nervous.
Dr. Patricia Cole. President of Covey University.
I recognize her instantly. Everyone on campus does. She has a sharp suit, sharper eyes, and a presence that makes you stand straighter without thinking about it. I never thought I’d actually see her in person, let alone have her smiling as she walks toward me.
“Good, we caught you,” Professor Foster says warmly. “I told Derek we’d find you glued to Scotty.”
Coach McKibbon nudges Scotty with his elbow. “All right, Romeo. Let her breathe a second. Laura, come here. There’s someone who insisted on meeting you.”
President Cole steps forward, and I really hope she can’t see me blushing from the comments.
“Laura Conners,” Coach says, his voice filled with pride. “Meet Dr. Patricia Cole, President of Covey University. And this is Laura Conners, who apparently stopped time tonight.”
My cheeks heat. “Dr. Cole. Hi. It’s nice to meet you.”
Her smile deepens. “The pleasure is mine, Miss Conners.”
She extends her hand and I shake it, trying not to look as shocked as I feel. The university president is talking to me. “I wanted to speak with you about your performance tonight.”
My stomach drops.
Oh no, did I do something wrong? WasI not supposed to—
“It was extraordinary,” she continues, and relief floods through me. “In my fifteen years at this institution, I've never heard a more moving rendition of the national anthem. The response from the crowd was… well, it was remarkable.”
“Thank you,” I manage. “That's very kind.”
“I'm not being kind, Miss Conners. I'm being honest.”
President Cole pauses, studying me with an assessing calm that makes my spine straighten instinctively. “And I’ve already been speaking with Coach McKibbon about you.”
My stomach tightens. “About… me?”
Coach steps closer, hands in his pockets like he’s trying not to grin outright. “Your performance didn’t just impress the crowd tonight. It impressed people who actually make decisions around here.”
