Page 91 of The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly

Isabel turns to Len, who’s finally made his way to us. “And you, King Len, what did you think of the performance?”

He pulls at his beard, his eyes shifting between the Corporate people and us. I lift an eyebrow at him expectantly.

“Well, erm—”

Before Len can say more, one of the women from Corporate steps in front of him. “I’m Alisha Day, head of Castle PR and brand management, and we just wanted to put our full support behind these Knights! They are a magnificent part of our new show, which we’ll be unveiling soon at the Castles throughout the nation.”

My eyes meet Len’s. His are wide with surprise, but then he shrugs. He’s a company man through and through, so if Corporate says this is how it goes, he’ll go along with it. He gives me a thumbs up, and I can’t help the smirk that splits my face. Way to jump on board at the last minute there, Uncle Len.

I return the thumbs-up, hoping he at least got the promotion he wanted.

My friends and I spread out to talk to the guests and get our pictures taken with them. My mom comes up to me and pulls me into an enormous hug. “Thank you for getting the divorce papers signed,” she whispers as she squeezes the air out of me. “That was incredibly chivalrous.”

“Mom, stop, you’ll make me cry,” I say, beaming at her.

“I’m serious,” she says, wiping away a tear. “I’m so proud of you. And even though I know you’re going away to school next year, you’ll always be my baby.”

I roll my eyes a bit at that. Moms. Good grief.

We take a selfie together, and then I tell her the news I’ve been sitting on for too long. “Speaking of college I’ve been meaning to tell you: I got into Marquette.”

“Oh, Kit! That’s amaz—”

“But I’m not going. It’s too much money, and I got a full ride to the community college. I’ll be going there in the fall.”

She pauses for a moment. “Are you sure? We can figure out something else. I’ll have the money from selling the house and Chris’s medical bills will be covered.”

“We’ll talk more about it later,” I say. “But my mind is made up. This is a better fit in every way. And it means you can still chase some of those dreams of yours.”

She hugs me again. “Love you, Kit-Kat. Don’t stay out too late. I’ve got tomorrow off and we should do something fun. Just you, me, and Chris.”

I wave to her and then sign an autograph for a small girl wearing a Red Knight costume. As I talk to fans, smile for pictures, and laugh with my friends, some small part of me still mourns letting the Marquette dream go. But maybe that’s just one version of my dream. Maybe I can find a new path that will help me end up where I want to.

Once all the guests are gone, Len comes out of his office, wearing civilian clothes. The guitar Chris and I gave him is strapped to his chest. The Corporate folks are long gone, but only after getting contact information for me and all the other Knights and promising to have contracts for those of us who want them.

“One night only, final Ninja after-party!” Len yells. “Drinks are on me because I just got promoted, and we’re going to celebrate!”

The Castle staff lets out an enormous cheer and someone switches out the medieval soundtrack for some EDM.

The bar opens up, and Castle staff keep hugging Layla, Penny, Alex, Mags, Lizzy, and me, toasting us with shots someone’s pouring. Layla’s yelling at Eric, and then she gets tackle hugged by Maura, her pink-haired girlfriend. Penny and Chris are laughing near the break room. Alex, Lizzy, and Mags are showing a bunch of Wenches some moves.

Jett moves through the crowd, grinning as he approaches me.

“You were great out there.” He picks me up in a sweeping, swinging hug.

I hug him back, squeezing him hard as my feet leave the ground, not wanting to let go. “Everything worked out according to plan! I can’t believe it.”

“I can,” says Jett. “You’re a force, Kit Sweetly.”

He puts me down and presses his forehead against mine. Gently, he pushes a piece of my hair behind my ear. The touch sends heat through me. Feeling exceptionally brave, I tilt my head and push my lips against his. His mouth opens and the kiss deepens as our bodies press together. And it’s good. Oh. So. Very. Good.

Loud cheers and whistles surround us. Because of course our first real kiss is in front of the entire Castle.

I pull away, breathless. “I thought you weren’t into me. Or that you didn’t date Serving Wenches.”

Jett gives me the smile that makes the edges of his eyes crinkle. “I’ve been into you since the first time we met. But I didn’t want to screw it up and lose your friendship. So I said that about Serving Wenches, hoping you’d realize I was more into Girl Knights.”

“You literally fled after I kissed you on Wednesday.”