You were extraordinary.
Luka glanced over, and I handed him the phone. He read the messages and smiled.
“Your father is definitely crying.”
“Yeah, I thought so too.”
Another notification appeared, but this time it was Claire. I opened the message and my throat seized.
“What is it?” Luka demanded.
I turned the screen toward him. Claire had sent a selfie from the audience. A Pride flag was wrapped around her shoulders, and her mascara was halfway down her face. The accompanying text read:
YOU COULD HAVE WARNED ME.
A second message followed.
Actually, no. Never mind. Don’t you dare apologize. I’m proud of you.
Luka’s smile widened. “She looks nice.”
“That’s because she is. And one day you two will meet.” I typed back a quick reply and slipped my phone into my pocket.
The noise from the arena drifted through the tunnel as Nathan and Brooke’s music ended. Around us, people were talking, laughing, replaying moments from the performance.
Then a voice cut through the conversations.
“Davorin. Kadanek.”
Everyone around us seemed to freeze. One of the Velkaryan federation officials stood a short distance away. His expression was polite enough, but it didn’t take a genius to guess why he was there.
“Director Vasiliev would like a private word.”
I glanced at Luka. “I’ll come with you.”
“I’ll be fine.”
A week ago, I would have argued.
Tonight, something in his expression told me not to.
I searched his face for a moment, then nodded. “Okay.”
His hand brushed mine before he stepped away. Mila let go of Donna’s hand and joined him, the pair of them following the official.
“He’s a big boy, Dean,” Ethan murmured beside me.
I stared after Luka. “You’re right. I guess.”
Ethan coughed. “Okay. While international diplomacy is happening, I’d like to remind everyone we’re getting pizza afterwards.”
There were whoops and whistles.
Mark looked resigned. “Why do I feel like I’ve lost control of this whole group?”
Ethan snorted. “What makes you think you ever had it?”
Mark shook his head. “Sure, rub it in, why don’t you? I’m gonna find my husband. At least I knowheappreciates me.”
