Chapter 52
The Sweetest Part of All
The excitement inside me was a rushing waterfall. It was loud, bright, impossible to contain. My name, Alayna Sandra, still echoed in my head, beating in perfect rhythm with my racing heart. I turned from the official, practically glowing, instinctively searching the crowd for one person.
And there he was.
Exactly where I'd left him. Unmoving. Unshakeable. Dafa Halton.
Only this time, in the corner of his eyes, something warm flickered, something I rarely saw on his carefully guarded face. Maybe pride. Maybe relief. Or maybe he was simply calculating what celebratory snack he should buy me later.
Before I could think, I was already running toward him.
My feet lifted slightly off the ground as I threw my arms around his neck. His solid body absorbed the sudden impact, and I buried my face against his shoulder. He smelled of plain soap, a hint of engine oil, sunlight, and something steadying, like a familiar anchor.
Dafa froze.
