“Doesn’t matter!” She pulled back, eyes shining. “Trying out isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up. It’s about choosing yourself. It’s about doing the thing even when you’re scared.” Her grin softened. “It’s about taking your life back.”
My throat tightened.
Belle saw it. She always saw it.
“Hey,” she said gently, cupping my elbows. “You’re doing something foryou.That’s beautiful.”
I blinked against sudden emotion. “I think I needed to hear that.”
Belle smiled like she’d been waiting all day to say it.
“You know what else you need?” she asked.
“What?”
She grabbed two wine glasses and popped one of my mother’s many bottles of rosé.
“A celebration drink,” she declared. “To your future derby bruises and future derby ass. Which is going to be amazing.”
I snorted wine through my nose. “Belle!”
“What? Ass is important.” She clinked her glass against mine. “And so are dreams.”
Warmth spread through me. It was filled with hope, friendship, and this new version of myself taking shape.
“Tryouts are in four weeks,” Belle said casually, sipping her drink.
My eyes widened. “Four weeks?!”
She winked. “Better start practicing, princess.”
I groaned. “Oh God.”
She smirked. “Don’t worry. Prince Charming has you covered.”
I covered my face again.
But I was smiling. Bright and uncontrollable.
My life finally felt like it wasmine.
The bellabove the coffee shop door chimed as I slipped inside, warm air and the smell of espresso wrapping around me like a hug. Belle spotted me immediately and saluted with her milk frother.
“Your usual?” she called.
“Yes, please!”
I took our usual corner table,ourtable, and set out my sketchbook, pencils, and little watercolor tin. The book was coming together fast, faster than anything had since Ethan died. My fierce little avenger derby girl was practically sprinting out of my fingertips.
It felt healing. It felt like breathing.
I was so lost in adding a swoosh of watercolor blue behind her skates that I didn’t notice the bell ring again.
Only when a familiar voice said, warm and amused, “You get this quiet and I know you’re up to something magical,” did I look up.
My heart did a full somersault.
Alex stood there, slightly out of breath, hair a little mussed like he’d rushed. He had a coffee in one hand and the softest smile on his face.
