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“Thank you, Sean,” I said, my hand clasping his. “But …” I chanced a look at Henry, who stayed back but gave me a cheeky grin. “Did the two of you get here together?”
Sean’s face broke into a half smile. “Henry and I took the bus,” he said.
The image of Sean on public transportation was too good to let go. “I’m going to have to see that for myself to believe it,” I said, while Sean’s eyes lit up.
“You mean you’ll spend time with me again?” he asked immediately.
I hesitated, shooting a look around us. It was a fairly noisy environment, but I was still aware of people whispering near us.
“I appreciate you being here, Sean. You didn’t have to do this. Supporting me and my success.”
“I didn’thaveto, but Iwantedto. Just like I didn’t have to hire you, but I wanted to.”
His gaze burned into mine, reminding me of our meeting at Tassater Inc. when his phone beeped. Sean checked it briefly, and when he turned to me, there was an honest to goodness twinkle in his eye.
“Besides, Henry and I are not the only ones supporting you,” Sean said, angling his body as he looked back at the doors.
I followed his gaze, and in a moment, I saw two more of my favorite people. Erin and Lucas.
I turned back to Sean, happiness filling my chest, as I understood. Our hands grazed each other’s, but neither of us made a move.
“All of us wanted to be here,” he said as Erin caught up to us, Lucas by her side. Sean put his arm around either of them before looking at me.
Lucas gestured to Erin. “Have you met my aunt Erin, Chloe? She has a taxidermy shop—did you know that? Her animals are fiercer than if they were real.”
“I have,” I responded. “She’s amazing.”
Erin grinned, a bit distracted, as she looked at the groups of families around us. The dean was calling out people’s names, and people were strolling up to the stage.
“It’s your turn,” she said just after the dean called my name.
Breaking off from Sean, I walked up to the stage slowly, hearing the polite applause from the crowd. In a second, however, I heard Lucas’s unmistakable voice, joined by Erin and Sean.
“Go, Chloe!” Erin shouted.
“Congratulations!” Lucas shouted.
I saw Sean pumping his fist in the air.
“WAY TO GO, Chloe,” he yelled loudly while Henry clapped and cheered next to them, the widest possible smile on his face.
For a moment, I was stumped as I heard Sean and his family cheer and applaud for me.
I’d been so worried on my way here because I had no one in my corner. I’d thought I’d be alone today. But here I was, surrounded by Henry, Sean, and his family, very much not alone and very touched by their love and affection—a love that matched how I felt about them.
My cheeks flushed, and my breath came faster. I shook hands with the dean and walked off the stage. On the other side, I met Sean, Henry and the others who had come over to cheer for me. We found a quiet corner in the room.
“Congratulations, Chloe,” Sean said, his voice low. “I always knew you could do it.”
His eyes were brimming with pride while Lucas took my hand and gave it a squeeze as Henry looked on in amusement.
“I told Dad you two would make up soon,” Lucas said. “I was right, wasn’t I? Dad was much happier after he told me we were coming here to meet you.”
A look of shock took over Sean’s face, and he met my gaze. The two of us laughed awkwardly while Erin stepped in.
“Lucas, I seem to remember you needed the bathroom,” Erin said hastily.
“But I don’t need to go to the bathroom,” Lucas protested while she pulled him away.