Then everyone else joined in as they watched my performance—which had topped out at two million views and actually gotten me recognized on the mean streets of Otter Bay by more than one teenager I didn’t already know. But it wasn’t cruel laughter, it wasn’t at my expense. They were laughingwithme, and I couldn’t help joining in as I watched myself being rescued by Ward.
“This award,” Seth continued. “Is for services to Otter Bay’s youth theatre, for stepping in and stepping up when he was most needed, for putting Otter Bay on the map for fifteen minutes, and for triggering the unbelievable surge of donations needed to fix the theatre roof, which I’m sure you’re all enjoying the benefit of, so far ahead of schedule that I broke down and cried when we hit the target.”
Seth, biggest sweetheart in the whole wide world, teared up again as he said it. I was so glad to have helped. I knew what it meant to him, to the kids, to all of Otter Bay to have this.
“Anyway, come on up here Ryder, save me from embarrassing myself any further.”
It took Ward nudging me to get me out of my seat, and then the lights were blinding—like I remembered from performing here as a kid—and sweat instantly broke out on my forehead at the heat and the new wave of nervousness I felt as Seth handed me a little golden otter-shaped trophy that Ward had already cleared a spot for in the bookcase. Where people could see it, he said.
“Um,” I began. “You know, a smarter man would have thought about what he wanted to say, but unfortunately I’m the one standing up here, so you’ll have to bear with me,” I said.
That at least got a laugh from the audience.
I fumbled my way through thanking everyone I could think of—Ward at least three times—and rambling about my enthusiasm for theatre and how much fun I’d had with Seth’s group and how good it felt to be back where I belonged.
When Seth finally told me I could go, I walked down the steps feeling lighter than I had in years, but hurried back to my seat, right next to Ward, who was waiting with a smile on his face even brighter than the stage lights.
“Proud of you,” he said, just loud enough for me to hear.
Then he pulled me in for a kiss that absolutely everyone in the theatre saw, and my knees buckled all over again. I never had gotten them checked out, but then I was ready to admit now that it was just Ward, making my knees weak a dozen times a day, because he was the most perfect man I’d ever known.
My head was spinning as I sat, but I couldn’t stop smiling to myself as I sank down in my seat and Ward took my hand, linking our fingers together.
I couldn’t wait to spend a lifetime holding his hand.
I would have listened to the rest of the speeches, but I was too busy thinking about how nice it was to sit here in the dark with Ward, holding hands, knowing he was proud of me and knowing that I got to go home with him tonight. And every night.
After the ceremony was finished, Ward actually stopped to talk to some people in the lobby while Seth caught my arm and dragged me away to the punchbowl still full of mulled wine.
“How’s the memoir going?” he asked first thing, going straight for the jugular.
I groaned involuntarily. “Writing is hard?” I said. “Like, hard-hard. I had no idea. I regret every time I scoffed at a script.”
Seth chuckled. “You’ll get the hang of it. And we can do workshop sessions once you’ve got a zero draft.”
“A what?” I asked.
Seth blinked at me.
“I’ll send you an email,” he said wryly, pouring us both a paper cup of wine, which felt like the most small town event thing in the world. “Which reminds me,” he added, unclipping the top of his clamshell gold glitter Christmas tree-shaped purse and pulling out a plain brown bag. “Got that thing you asked for.”
I glanced over my shoulder as I shoved the bag into my pocket as quickly as I could, hoping Ward hadn’t seen it. I knew that if I’d gone to get it myself, everyone in Otter Bay would’ve known—and they would have told him.
I wanted it to be a surprise.
“So are you asking tonight?” Seth asked, nodding to my pocket.
“Will you keep your voice down?”
Seth grinned. “Don’t worry, I can see him still talking to Mrs. Anderson. He’s absorbed. You’re safe.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn’t want this to be a big public thing, I wanted Ward’s answer to come without any pressure from anyone else. If he wasn’t ready, I’d wait.
ButIwas ready.
“Thought I’d ask for New Year’s,” I said. “New Year, new start, new…” I paused to lean in, lowering my voice. “Fiancé, maybe.”
Seth laughed, sipping his paper cup of wine. “Definitely,” he said, squeezing my arm. “He’s gonna say yes. Don’t worry.”
