Rick swiftly turns on his heels, a wide smile on his face. “The team is going to be thrilled.”
“R-really?” My eyebrows shoot up. I was expecting surprise and even shock on his face, and not this expression of elation.
“Yes.” He flops onto the chair opposite mine. “There’s a reason your name is on top of the suggestion list for every keynote. People would love to hear the opinions of Dr. Z. Teager in his own voice.”
37
ZANE
I look down at my notes for the tenth time since I entered this conference hall. The event is organized in one of the grand hotels in Cherrywood. My hands sweat as I rearrange the cards. My brothers are seated on either side of me in the front row, and my team is sitting immediately behind us.
This event is organized by one of the leading health start-ups that Elixir Inc. is in the process of acquiring. One of the co-founders steps up on the stage and welcomes everyone.
When they call my name, I straighten my jacket and get up. Zander and Zach give me a nod. A small professional smile stays on their lips as several camera flashes shine in our direction. But I don’t miss the hint of concern and worry in the eyes of my brothers.
My heart thumps loud, in sync with every step I take toward the raised stage.
I get behind the dark wooden podium and arrange the flash cards before picking up the laser pointer. My chest twists as the familiar fear clouds my thoughts.
What if I c-can’t even get a w-word out?
Even my thoughts stutter, and that terrifies the hell out of me. There’s an absolute silence in the hall as everyone waits for me to start, and I wonder if they can see me quivering.
I look up, and when I glance at my brothers, there’s realization in their eyes. They know I can’t fucking do it.
Fuck, what the hell have I done?
Sweat trickles down the side of my face, to my neck, going inside my collar, until I feel something cold around my neck. The clover pendant sticks to my moist skin, and I take a deep breath.
I’m doing this for her…for us.
“As-s you know,” I start, forcing air into my lungs. “I d-don’t give t-talks.” With a trembling hand, I grab the water glass and take a large gulp. “You m-might have alr-ready guessed the r-reason for it. It’ll t-take me tw-wice the amount of time.” I’m surprised when no one leaves the room but simply sit still, waiting to hear me.
“But s-someone once t-told me that I jus-st have to find one per-rson in the cr-rowd who’ll lis-sten to me, and t-tonight I’m hoping you’ll be th-that person for me.” I say the words Vienna said to me while we were in each other’s arms, lying in bed in her namesake city.
Everyone claps and my heart rate calms until it shoots through the roof when the main door opens. Before my eyes, she walks in.
Vienna, dressed in a purple pullover with a black scarf around her neck, head ducked as if trying to hide herself before she perches on an empty seat in the back.
I can’t freaking believe my eyes.
I haven’t seen her since the day at the hospital, and she looks more beautiful than any of my fantasies over the past weeks. Her hair looks fuller, tied in a ponytail. She’s no longer covering it with a cap. She looks around at the room filled with hundreds of people before her gaze settles on me, and she smiles.
And I know I’ve found that person for whom my stuttering words mean everything.
I start the talk, and my gaze never leaves my wife’s proud face for the next hour. She holds on to my every word, sitting patiently, until I thank everyone and step down.
Around the sounds of thundering claps, Vienna rushes toward me and takes me by surprise when she throws her arms around me.
Everything stills.
All the noises die except for the thumping of my heart and her loud pulse, which I feel against my skin.
I crush her to me in front of a room full of people, and for the first time in my life, I’m not bothered by anyone staring at me. All I can focus on is the girl in my arms.
“And that’s a proud wife,” Zach comments loudly, and a few people chuckle.
The claps don’t die down, and I whisper in her ear, “Thank you s-so much.”