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Zander looks at me, and I know it’s my turn. I have tried to prepare myself as best I can for tonight. My phone is flooded with Zander’s texts telling me how everything will be all right. I think at some point he was more nervous than me, which was both scary and gratifying.
“This year, we have a special category for one person who has impressed us all by her innovative ideas and admirable work ethics. I am very happy to present, for the first time, the innovation award to Ms. Marlin,” Zander declares, his eyes never leaving mine.
As he announces my name, Kristy squeals beside me. I didn’t tell her about the award, because ideally, it’s supposed to be a surprise, and also, I didn’t think it was such a big deal.
Kristy throws her arms around me. “Congratulations, Rosie.” Next, Oscar shakes my hand. I hadn’t expected to feel such pleasure at seeing the proud smile on his face. He briefly touches his shoulder with mine in some form of light hug.
After Zach and Zane have wished me congratulations, Kristy whispers in my ear, “You’ll be all right?” Her head cocks toward the stage.
I look at Zander, waiting patiently for me with a glass trophy in his hand.
“I’ll be fine,” I whisper, putting one hand over my chest, attempting to slow my heart rate.
Kristy glances at me and then at the stage before she gives my shoulders a gentle squeeze and a kind smile touches her lips.
I climb the two steps, and Zander is already by my side when I’m on the raised podium. His eyes shine with excitement, which sends a warmth through my body, warding off the nervous cold.
He gives me his lopsided, dimpled grin, and for a second, I forget that I’m in a room full of people staring at me.
He holds my gaze captive in his, not letting me look anywhere but at him as he hands me the award. My ears briefly register the claps and flashes of cameras. When I’m about to turn around, Zander’s palm presses on my damp hand under the glass trophy.
He doesn’t want me to look away.
“This was the last award,” he whispers. For a brief second, his gaze leaves mine and he glances at someone behind me.
Then I hear the woman from before, addressing the crowd and asking everyone to join the dance floor. While the crowd’s attention is elsewhere, Zander and I get down off the stage.
Kristy, Oscar, and Zander’s brothers join us, and Kristy immediately pulls me in for another hug.
I can feel the woodsy vanilla scent around me as light conversation about the party and office starts to flow.
Zander’s hand brushes against mine in the bunched group, and a shudder runs down my body. He held my hand before on the stage, but my brain was in a nervous daze then. This time, I register everything.
His long warm fingers touching mine. His cold watch hitting my wrist.
My head jerks up to him. There is a hint of confusion in his gaze as it bores deep into mine, but then he grabs my hand and intertwines our fingers together. I look down at our joined hands. My pink painted nails from this morning press against his sun-kissed skin.
Hard and soft mixing together.
14
ROSE
“You gotta be kidding me. Really? Her Zander, really?”
Vanessa’s shrill words get everyone’s attention. Her eyes burn with rage and hatred as they fix on me before her gaze slides lower, and a spiteful smile plays on her lips. She raises our held hands up in the air for everyone to see.
That’s when I know this isn’t going to end well.
Zander takes a step forward, and my limp arm falls down. “What the hell, Vanessa?” he hisses.
“You tell me, Zander. What are you doing with this girl? She was the one on stage, right?”
“Not-t-t here, Vanes-s-sa.” Zane stands beside her, somehow not scared to approach even though she’s swaying with anger.
“No, Zane. You stay out of this. This is between me and Zander.” Some of her perfectly pinned-up hair falls on her forehead as she shakes her head.
“There’s nothing between you and me, Vanessa. What the fuck are you talking about?” Zander’s eyebrows squish together as he rubs his forehead with his fingers.
