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“Shut your hole, Duane,” Cian spits out.
Finally, Cian looks down at me, and I give him a double blink.
“Right,” he says. “Let’s go.”
“That’s right,” Anna calls after me. “Run away just like you ran away from Ohio.”
Geez, lady. Get a grip.
I don’t know why I thought coming back here for this was a good idea, but it feels pretty great to walk away.
“Where are you guys going?”
A man I recognize as the kid who used to run the AV club steps into our path, blocking the doors and holding up his hands.
“Well, much like high school, I’m going to go out there and call my dad to come and get me out of here,” I say with my most disarming smile.
The guy, whose name I now remember is Carl, says, “You can’t go. You have to stay for the awards!”
Cian asks, “What awards?”
Carl replies, “Two of ’em. Honored Guest, and one my wife decided to add at the last minute—best-looking couple.”
I take a deep breath and sigh, “Oh, boy. Anna is really not gonna like that.”
* * *
Applause erupts as Cian and I enter the stage to accept our award.
As the honored guest, I received a $50 gift card and a commemorative Class of 2013 Christmas ornament.
I take it, actually looking forward to taking my dad to Chili’s. It’s been at least ten years since I ate there.
And then, much to my chagrin, Carl’s wife, Renee, who played Diana to my Anne in high school, bounds up to the stage.
She waves a card and announces, “We have one more last-minute award for Cian and our most famous graduate. Here’s a special gift from your classmates to the best-looking couple of the night!”
I smile through my grimace as Cian opens the envelope, chuckling. “Free car washes for a year! Class!”
Dad will definitely appreciate that. He loves a bargain.
I exchange a glance with Cian. With a warm smile, he offers his arm, and we make our way to the microphone together.
“Wow, thank you all so much!” I begin, purposefully avoiding any eye contact with Anna. “It’s truly an honor to be recognized like this. Our time together at this reunion has brought back so many memories, and it’s amazing to see all of you again after so long.”
Cian chimes in, his voice steady and confident. “We never really expected to win anything tonight. But it’s been incredible catching up with old friends.”
As we finish our thank-yous, the applause grows louder.
Cian leans in close, ”Shall we, best-looking?”
As we leave the stage to finally make our exit, I sense Anna standing at a distance. I can’t help but peek at her expression, a mix of surprise and envy. I break away from Cian for just a moment.
“What’s this?” Anna asks as I hand her the gift card.
“I’m sorry I’ve been living in your head rent-free, Anna. I truly am. You look like you need an Awesome Blossom more than I do. Enjoy.”
ChapterNine
