The cab came to a gentle stop just outside the Seattle Convention Center, where the morning was alive with winter air and the hum of a thousand voices. Even from inside the car, Ariel could see the throng of fans in cozy jackets, staff waving badges, and banners snapping in the breeze with the bright logo of the convention stretched above the glass doors.

  Holly was practically vibrating with excitement beside her, fussing once more with her pale blouse and smoothing her blazer.

  “You ready?” she whispered, her hand finding Ariel’s under the hem of her mint green dress.

  Ariel squeezed her fingers, breathing in the sharp city air as she stepped out of the cab. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  The crowd outside parted just enough for them to weave through. Almost immediately, someone in line nudged a friend, whispering, “That’s her! That’s Ariel McIntyre! And her fiancée, from that engagement picture!”

  Suddenly, faces were turning, some holding out phones, others just offering shy smiles or waves.

  Holly and Ariel smiled back, moving slowly, never rushing anyone who wanted to say hello. A few brave souls came up to congratulate them, gushing about Wispwood Haven or how sweet their proposal video was. Ariel’s heart pounded, but Holly’s arm looped through hers kept her grounded.

  A woman in a bright pink beanie stopped them, beaming. “I just wanted to say congratulations! You two give me hope.”

  Holly grinned. “You just made our whole morning. Thanks for saying hi!”

  Ariel found herself enjoying these little moments, the nerves melting away with each sincere encounter.

  Halfway up the walkway, Abigail breezed past, her sharp suit a contrast to her easygoing smile. She gave Ariel a conspiratorial wink.

  “Don’t worry, Director, you’re killing it. I’ll meet you both at the main entrance.”

  Holly leaned in, stage-whispering, “I think that was a compliment.”

  Ariel giggled, feeling lighter. “We’ll take it.”

  The closer they got, the more faces turned their way. There was warmth in it: real, human, unvarnished interest. Ariel made a point to observe each smile. Every pair of hopeful eyes.

  Suddenly, from somewhere behind them, a familiar voice called out, “Hey! Wait up, lovebirds!”

  Ariel and Holly turned, and there they were: Jordan, casual in a sharp jacket and sneakers; Maddy, practically bouncing in a pastel skirt with little plushies clipped to her bag; Lila, blushing but grinning, her hand tightly holding Marissa’s. Marissa looked as radiant as ever, her hair in perfect curls.

  The group converged in a tangle of hugs and happy greetings. Maddy immediately began peppering Ariel with questions about the event schedule, while Jordan winked at Holly and offered up a snack bar “for bravery.” Lila and Marissa glowed, leaning together and taking in the crowd, their excitement obvious.

  “We’re all here,” Holly said, looping her arm around Ariel’s waist, “now it’s officially a party.”

  Together, the six of them made their way inside, the convention doors yawning open and the dazzling lights beyond calling them forward. As soon as they entered the bustling foyer, Ariel saw a cluster of game journalists, microphones and notebooks in hand, heading straight toward her.

  She took a steadying breath, feeling Holly’s steady presence beside her, and prepared to meet the moment.

  At first, Ariel handled the press like a natural. The journalists’ questions flowed about the game, leadership, and the excitement of the event. Ariel kept her voice even and warm, her answers sharp and thoughtful, peppered with the gentle wit that always won people over. Holly and the others gave her space, watching from a short distance, their faith in her clear.

  But as more reporters crowded in, the flashes from their cameras grew relentless. The lights popped and stuttered. White. Then blue. Then bright yellow. Each one blooming in Ariel’s vision with increasing sharpness. With every burst of light, she felt a spark of heat, a quick flicker in her mind: flames licking along bookshelves, the rush of smoke, the dizzying terror from that awful day at Foxglove & Fir.

  Her breath caught, her headache blooming with every strobe.

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  She pressed a hand to her temple, determined to stay present. She could do this. She’d faced worse. But the flashes blurred together, each one a match struck in the dark anxiety behind her eyes.

  Then a journalist, face eager, asked, “Is it true you were in Foxglove & Fir the day of the fire? Would you be willing to share what that was like?”

  Ariel’s heart stuttered. The question hit her like a sudden shove. She stumbled back half a step, squeezing her eyes shut as the headache peaked, pain flaring across her forehead. For a split second, she feared she’d lose her composure in front of the cameras, in front of all these people.

  Abigail started forward, concern clear in her eyes, but then paused as Holly moved with purpose.

  Holly had already grabbed Jordan and Marissa’s wrists, pulling them with her.

  “Keep her steady,” she whispered, and they understood instantly.

  Jordan moved to Ariel’s right, hand gentle but firm on her shoulder, while Marissa’s warm palm slid into Ariel’s free hand, grounding her with quiet strength.

  Then Holly stepped in front of Ariel and, with perfect poise and a bright, beaming grin, raised her arms in a dramatic magical girl pose: fingers splayed, feet wide.

  “Attention, heroes and heroines of the press!” she declared, her Texan drawl full of theatrical confidence. “I am Holly Sinclair, magical guardian and official hype squad for the best game dev in Seattle! Let’s give my fiancée a second to catch her breath, huh?”

  The crowd of journalists paused, thrown off for a split second by Holly’s radiant confidence and charm. Holly seized the moment, fielding questions left and right, her answers brimming with humor and warmth. Even when she didn’t quite know the answer, she spun it into something fun or mysterious. “As for when the next update drops, well, you’ll just have to keep your eyes peeled and your snacks handy! I recommend something sweet like our new companion raccoon’s favorite, jelly donuts!”

  Reporters laughed, a few attendees nearby joined in, and the tense energy in the air softened into genuine smiles and appreciative grins. Holly’s natural charisma was magnetic; she made the room feel lighter, safer, full of possibility.

  Abigail watched all this with quiet amusement, shaking her head in wonder as Holly handled the crowd like she’d been born for the spotlight.

  Meanwhile, Jordan and Marissa quietly shielded Ariel from the remaining flashes, Marissa gently rubbing her back while Jordan murmured calm encouragement. Ariel focused on her breathing, steadying herself as the headache ebbed, the tide of anxiety receding with every second Holly stood between her and the press.

  Eventually, the last questions were answered, and the journalists dispersed, more charmed than ever by Holly’s sparkling wit. As soon as the group broke apart, Holly spun around and dropped the act, eyes full of concern as she reached for Ariel’s hands.

  “Hey, Red,” Holly said softly, brushing a stray curl from Ariel’s cheek. “You okay? Want some air? Or a magical girl rescue carry back to our apartment?”

  Ariel took a shaky breath, the pounding in her head finally easing. She gave Holly a grateful smile, a little watery at the edges. “I’m okay. That just… got a little intense. Thank you. You were amazing.”

  Holly squeezed her hands. “That’s what I’m here for. Nobody flashes my girl and gets away with it. C’mon, let’s take a second. You want me to go full bodyguard mode and shout ‘No photos!’?”

  Ariel actually laughed at that, her anxiety ebbing further. “Maybe just for a minute. I just need to watch you work your magic.”

  Holly pressed a kiss to Ariel’s forehead, her touch gentle. “I’ll always take care of you. We’re a team.”

  Marissa squeezed Ariel’s shoulder. “You did great. And we’ve got your back if you need us.”

  Ariel smiled at all of them, feeling the love and support wrap around her like armor. With Holly’s arm around her and her friends close by, she was ready to face whatever the rest of the day might bring.

  As the crowd began to thin, Abigail cut through the last few lingering journalists, her expression a mixture of concern and quiet pride. She stopped in front of Ariel and Holly, her gaze sharp but her tone gentle. “Ariel, you alright?”

  Ariel took a deep breath, giving her a small, reassuring nod. “I’m fine now. Just needed a second. Thanks for looking out.”

  Abigail’s eyes softened, then shifted to Holly. A smirk curled at the corner of her mouth as she offered her hand. “I have to say, Miss Sinclair, that was some of the smoothest, most natural charisma I’ve ever seen. The way you moved in to shield Ariel, and how your whole crew rallied to keep her steady? That was… honestly, incredible to watch.”

  Holly took Abigail’s hand, giving it a firm, friendly shake, a little color rising to her cheeks. “I’m just doing what comes naturally, I guess,” she replied with a warm, slightly sheepish smile.

  Abigail looked back to Ariel, her eyes glinting with approval and just a hint of teasing as she winked. “You know she’s a keeper, right?”

  Ariel’s smile was pure joy, her voice a little shaky but sure. “Oh, I know. I’m the luckiest person here.”

  For a moment, Abigail’s eyes lingered between the two of them, taking in the comfort, the strength, and the wordless way they leaned toward one another. Her thoughts seemed to be working quickly behind her polite, executive mask, but whatever she was thinking, she kept it to herself. Instead, she gave Ariel’s shoulder a gentle squeeze.

  “Are you sure you’re good to keep going?” Abigail asked, one last check-in.

  Ariel’s hand instinctively found Holly’s, fingers threading together, grounding her in the present. “I am. Promise.”

  Abigail’s smile turned sly and satisfied. “That’s what I like to hear. Alright, then! Let’s get you all to the Willowbound booth. Show everyone what we’re made of.”

  With that, she led the way, purposeful but unrushed. Holly and Ariel followed side by side, hands linked. Lila, Jordan, Marissa, and Maddy fell in behind them, all talking at once: Maddy chattering about cosplay sightings, Lila and Marissa exchanging shy but giddy smiles, Jordan tossing in dry jokes that made Holly laugh as they walked.

  The group moved together, a little bubble of warmth and camaraderie in the middle of the bright, bustling crowd. The anxieties and headaches of moments before began to recede, replaced by a shared sense of excitement and the certainty that, whatever happened today, they would face it as a team.