Part of Your World(103)

“Thank you.”

Thunderous applause.

I could see Gabby and Jessica cheering and nodding. Neil was clapping. Bri was giving me a standing ovation, smiling so big, it looked like she was going to burst. And the funny thing was, my parents looked like that too. Mom was beaming, looking prouder than I’d ever seen her. Even Dad was grinning and clapping.

Ironically enough, this was probably the first time I’d actually impressed him. It was groundbreaking and innovative. Forward movement for the institution, something the hospital had never done before that brought Derek back into the fold and ensured the survival of the franchise for probably generations to come. And it hadn’t even been hard to come up with it once I had my priorities straight, because it was in service to what I cared about most.

Daniel, Wakan, Royaume—and then everything else. In that order.

I went into that meeting ready to quit if they said no. But the board loved it. They got a big announcement for their anniversary gala, an exciting new initiative, and they got to keep two young and eager Montgomerys on staff—three. Because they were also getting Nikki.

Nikki would be adjacent to anything my brother did, and despite my father’s shortsighted opinion about his daughter-in-law, Lola Simone was a powerful ally. Her fame gave her a global reach and hundreds of important connections—and she was very well respected for her humanitarian work. Nikki Montgomery would draw as many donors to Royaume Northwestern as my mother ever did. Her impact would be immeasurable and would ensure the success of this program. The board recognized this and had voted unanimously to support my proposal—and this was in part, because of her.

Maybe one day Dad would acknowledge that it was Nikki and Daniel that had led to all this. Maybe one day Dad would apologize and accept the lives Derek and I had chosen for ourselves and try to be a part of it. Learn some grace. I hoped he did. And I hoped that even if he didn’t, Mom finally put her foot down and chose to do it anyway.

I knew from experience that sometimes when the wake-up call is big enough, you do, in fact, wake up.

Either way I was at peace with the choice I’d made. Derek and I both were.

But I still didn’t see Daniel. He should have been here by now. If he was coming, he would have been.

My heart sank.

I didn’t believe that he didn’t know I was trying to reach him. Even if Bri and I couldn’t get in touch with him and none of my texts or voicemails went through, Doug would have called him by now. He knew.

I had his answer. It was no.

I’d just hurt him too much, too many times. And I couldn’t even blame him for being done.

But it didn’t change anything. Because I would still move to Wakan.

I was a little more Grant than Montgomery, I realized. I wanted to change the world. But I wanted to start there. And I would.

Even if their mayor never spoke to me again.

I exited the podium to clapping. I was stopped by a few excited donors the second I got off the stage. Everyone wanted their name on a building, and we had two new clinics up for grabs. I was happy for the enthusiasm, but I just really wanted to go check my phone and talk to Bri. I was shaking hands and trying to break away when I saw a figure appear at the top of the marble staircase. I held my breath as he came into view.

Daniel…

My heart stopped at the sight of him.

He was in a black tux. One hand on the railing, and every woman in the room looking at him—but he was only looking at me. And I’d never seen him so handsome or so happy.

“Excuse me,” I breathed.

I threaded through the crowd, picked up the skirt of my dress, and started to run. He grinned when he saw me coming and began jogging down the stairs.

I was so relieved to see him, I couldn’t tell if I was laughing or crying or a little bit of both.

We collided in the middle of the dance floor. His world and mine, crashing together in front of everyone.

“You came,” I said, my arms wrapped around him.

“Of course I came,” he whispered.

“Daniel, I am so sorry,” I gasped. “Please, please forgive me.”

He pulled away and cupped my face in his hands.

I peered up at him with tears in my eyes. “I love you so much. I made the biggest mistake—”

“Shhhhhhh…”

“No. That day you came to my house, I should have packed a bag right there and then and left with you. I should have left months before that. I thought I’d ruined everything. I didn’t think I was ever going to see you again.”

“I’d like to tell you that I’m strong enough to stay mad at you,” he said, his voice a little thick. “But I’m not. I came the second I got your message. Then my truck broke down outside of the tux shop and Bri had to come pick me up. I didn’t know how to use Uber.”

I laughed, tears pinching from my eyes.

“Did you hear my speech?” I asked, wiping my cheeks.

“I did. I watched from the top of the steps. I didn’t want you to see me, didn’t want to make you nervous.”

“I was going to quit, Daniel. If they hadn’t agreed to it, I was going to leave to be with you anyway. I was coming to Wakan with or without Royaume.”

He smiled gently at me. “God, you look beautiful,” he breathed.

I smiled at him through tears and we stood there, just being.