Finally, I spot my father-in-law, Nikko, who lingers at the back with a grin so wide it makes his cheeks look rubberized. I’ve never seen him look so … well, on the verge of tears.
And it only makes me beam with more pride for Nicole.
Next to him is my mother-in-law, and behind them I can see Nora and her husband wrangling their three kids. Across the way, I spot my own family. My mom conquered her fear of flying just to be here for us today.
A woman in a pantsuit approaches us. She gives Nicole a crisp nod. “We’re ready for your remarks, Mrs. Neelson.”
This is it. Now my wife gets to shine.
Nicole looks up at me, her face full of all the same emotions that I’m feeling, too. “Oh my gosh,” she nearly whispers.
I give her a grin. “You’ve got this, baby. Just don’t trip on the mat.”
“Thank you for the vote of confidence,” she deadpans, but then gives me a small peck on the cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” I tell her, nearly bursting at the seams with pride all over again. “Go get ‘em.”
She nods and then steps up to the big blue ribbon. Someone hands her a pair of ceremonial scissors, the address of the apartment building engraved on the blades.
“Hi, everyone,” she begins, and instantly the room hushes. “I’m Nicole Farrarah Neelson, and I’m so excited to say we’re officially open.” She gestures around at the building, at me, and then at Cocoa. “When we started this project, I thought the hardest part would be picking a paint color that wouldn’t make everyone look like a zombie in the morning. But as it turns out, the hardest part is this moment right here.”
I chuckle, giving her a thumbs-up. She has no idea how magnetic she is.
“I want to thank everyone for believing in something new,” she continues. “This isn’t just a luxury apartment building. It’s a place for athletes to belong—to have a home that understands the weird hours, the crazy energy, the need for both privacy and community. And maybe a karaoke room that’s actually soundproof.”
Now the crowd is really laughing. I glance at Nikko in the back, arms folded, nodding. He’s not crying, but he’s definitely close. I then glance back at Nicole, who is looking at me, andistearing up.
“I couldn’t have done this alone. Not even close. Not without my team, my family, and especially my co-founder, who’s also the first resident.” She motions to me. “I love you so much, and I owe a lot of my success to you. You always believe in me,always.”
I nod, hardly able to hold back my own emotions. I mouth,I love you.
There’s a final burst of camera flashes, and then it’s time. Nicole raises the scissors and cuts the ribbon. The blades slice the fabric clean in two, a satisfyingsnipthat echoes. The crowd erupts—applause, cheers, the sound of a hundred Instagram Stories being born at once, probably. Confetti cannons explode, showering the entryway in blue and silver. Cocoa barks, startled, then delighted, bouncing around my feet.
Nicole is all smiles as she returns to me.
I wrap my arm around her and lean in. “You did perfect, honey.”
“I almost fainted.” She bursts into giggles as I wipe away a tear from her cheek.
We pass through the lobby, past the glass-walled fitness center and the mural wall where artist friends painted silhouettes of athletes in motion. I catch the scent of fresh lemon from the housekeeping cart. I watch as the first batch of tenants step into the lounge, looking around with the awe of kids at Disneyland.
And I’m so proud, I could cry.
“You made it look easy, kid,” Nikko says as he approaches us, extending a hand to Nicole. “I’m proud of you.”
However, just as the words leave his mouth, Cocoa lunges, ripping the leash right out of my hand.
Cocoa, freed from decorum now that the formalities are over, does a running leap at one of the new arrivals—a linebacker-sized man with arms like tree trunks and a face familiar from the news.
“Whoa!” he calls out, catching Cocoa in his arms. “Who isthislittle guy?”
“That’s Cocoa.” Nicole is on top of the moment, already holding her arms to take back our insane little fur child. “And you must be Logan Chase, the Los Angeles Hawks quarterback.” She smiles at him, extending her hand.
He shakes it, giving her a grin. “You got it. I’ve been waiting for my move-in date, and I’m stoked it’s a month early.”
“We were ahead of schedule.” Nicole beams, taking Cocoa back into her arms. “And the building is already full.”
“That’s incredible.” He gives us both a nod as I join Nicole as backup for Cocoa. “I heard Owen Callahan is moving in, too?”
