She chuckled softly. “A simpleyeswould do.”
I laughed, still stunned. “I’d be honored. Truly. But are you sure I won’t be crashing anything?”
“Not at all. You’d be the highlight,” she said warmly. “Everything will be taken care of; flights, accommodations, the works. Just bring yourself and maybe some of your team and a few words for the graduates.”
“Then I’d love to,” I said, feeling a genuine swell of excitement rise in my chest.
Mrs. Wilson smiled, pleased. “Wonderful. I’ll have someone from the team reach out in the next few days with the details. And again, congratulations, Olivia. You're killing it out there.”
She gave my arm a light squeeze before drifting back into the crowd, leaving me still half stunned, smiling to myself as I’d just won something all over again.
I stood there for a moment, then turned my head just in time to see Maddie peeking around the corner with a mini creme brulee in hand and a raised eyebrow.
“What was that about?” she asked, already halfway through a bite.
“I just got invited to Brisbane,” I said, still a little dazed. “To speak at the academy’s graduation.”
Maddie grinned. “Well, look at you. Champion, role model, motivational speaker. Don’t forget us when you’re on your international tour with Amelia Wilson.”
I bumped her shoulder, smiling. “As if I could.”
•••••
The rest of the night passed in a soft, golden blur. By the time my team and I finally got back to the hotel, I wascarrying my heels in one hand and blinking through waves of exhaustion. My feet ached, my dress felt too tight, and my brain was running on whatever sugar was left from dessert.
Dad was already settling into the couch, unlacing his worn sneakers. I was about to head for the bathroom when he said, “You did well tonight, Liv.”
I paused, turning back to him. He was looking at me, not the way the crowd had, not like the world saw me tonight, all dressed up in glitter and glory, but just as his kid. Just Olivia Smythe.
He patted the space beside him, and I sat down, curling my legs up under me.
I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder. We stayed like that for a while, no rush, no noise. Just a dad and his daughter, sitting in the quiet after the storm of a dream coming true.
Then he sighed. “I need to talk to you about something.”
I sat up a little. “What is it?”
He hesitated, then rubbed a hand over his jaw. “It’s about your sister.”
My stomach tightened. “Is this really the time?”
He gave me a look, not sharp, not pushy, just steady. “I know things haven’t been great between you two. I’m not asking you to suddenly fix everything overnight, but Liv... she’s still your sister. And she’s coming home soon, at least for a bit.”
I swallowed. “She’s in Birmingham, right? Finishing up her internship?”
“Yeah,” he nodded. “She’ll be flying in for your celebration. She asked if it was okay. Wanted to be there.”
“She wanted to be there?” I blinked, surprised.
“She’s proud of you too, you know. She watches your matches. Might not say much, but she does.”
I let out a slow breath, unsure of what to feel. There were so many things between us, words that were never said, fights that ended in silence, years of growing apart. But still...
“You don’t have to be best friends again,” Dad said, gently. “But I want my girls to at least be in the same room without pretending the other doesn’t exist. Especially now. After everything.”
I nodded slowly, the weight of it sinking in. “I’ll try.”
He smiled. “That’s all I’m asking.”
