Chapter 68 After party
Hannah:
By the time the final applause faded and the stage lights dimmed, the room seemed to exhale all at once. The formal stiffness of the awards ceremony dissolved into something looser, warmer; the low hum of mingling voices, laughter rising, glasses clinking. The after-party had officially begun.
Timothy stood first, and when I followed suit, I realized he still hadn’t let go of my hand.
Not even a little.
Instead, his fingers adjusted, sliding deliberately until my hand rested in the crook of his arm as though it had always belonged there. It was such a natural motion that I barely had time to react before we were already moving, weaving through clusters of people and polite congratulations.
“You were magnificent up there,” a man said, shaking Timothy’s free hand.
“Concise,” a woman added approvingly. “Very refreshing.”
Timothy smiled, nodded, thanked them with ease. I stayed close, aware of the subtle pressure of his arm against mine, the way he guided us through the crowd without ever tightening his grip. It was grounding. Disarming. Dangerous.
We spoke to a few more people, that faces blurred together, names half-remembered until a familiar voice cut through the din.
“Hannah!”
I turned, relief blooming instantly.
Samantha stood across the room, one hand lifted in an enthusiastic wave, Jacob beside her looking amused and slightly overwhelmed as always.
“Oh, thank God,” I breathed, tugging lightly at Timothy’s arm. “That’s Samantha.”
He followed my gaze and nodded. “Let’s go rescue you.”
We crossed the room, and the second I was within reach, Samantha pulled me into a hug so tight I laughed.
“You look incredible,” she declared, pulling back to inspect me. “Absolutely glowing.”
“Don’t exaggerate,” I said, grinning. “You’re the one who looks like she slept more than three hours this decade.”
She snorted. “Lies. I haven’t slept since the twins learned how to scream in stereo.”
Jacob chuckled. “It’s a gift.”
“They’re monsters,” Samantha added fondly, then turned bright eyes on Timothy. “Congratulations, by the way. That speech? Perfect.”
“Thank you,” Timothy said warmly.
Before the conversation could deepen, Rowan appeared at Timothy’s side like he’d been summoned.
“Ah,” Rowan said smoothly, flashing Samantha a smile. “You must be the infamous Samantha.”
“Infamous?” she echoed, delighted.
“Only in the best way,” he assured her. “Rowan.”
Introductions were made quickly, Rowan effortlessly charming both Samantha and Jacob within seconds. Then he glanced at Timothy, something unspoken passing between them.
“Mind if I steal him for a moment?” Rowan asked lightly.
Before I could wonder why, Jacob checked his phone.
“Actually, I just spotted someone I need to talk to,” he said. “Samantha?”
She waved him off. “Go. We’ll survive.”
The men peeled away, leaving Samantha and me standing together with our champagne flutes.
She leaned in immediately. “Okay. Talk to me. How are you?”
“I’m… good,” I said honestly.
“Just good?” she pressed, eyes dancing.
“Okay, fine. Better than good.”
She beamed. “I knew it.”
We found a quieter corner, sipping as the noise swelled around us.
“The twins are walking now,” Samantha launched into happily. “Well….staggering. Mostly into furniture. And Noah has this obsession with my shoes. He keeps trying to eat them.”
I laughed. “That sounds… exhausting.”
“Oh, it is. But also wonderful. Chaotic. Loud. Sticky.”
“Sticky?”
“So sticky.”
She studied me for a moment, then softened. “And you? What have you been up to?”
I hesitated, then smiled. “I’ve been volunteering at a pet shelter.”
Her eyes lit up. “Of course you have.”
“It kind of turned into a job,” I admitted. “I didn’t plan it, but… it feels right.”
“That’s amazing,” she said sincerely. “You always did have a soft heart.”
Before I could respond, Timothy reappeared.
Something was off.
It was subtle, his posture still composed, his expression calm but I knew him well enough now to see the tension tucked beneath the surface.
Samantha caught it too.
“Well,” she said, setting her glass down, “we should let you two breathe. Lunch soon?”
“Yes,” I said quickly. “Absolutely.”
We hugged again, promised to text, and Samantha drifted off to join two women near the bar, already deep in animated conversation.
The second she was out of earshot, I turned to Timothy.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he said immediately.
I stopped walking.
He took one more step, then realized I wasn’t beside him anymore. He turned back, brows knitting.
“You have a tell,” I said quietly. “When something’s bothering you.”
He sighed, running a hand over the back of his neck. “There’s been… a development. In the corporate mess.”
“And?”
“It’s worrisome,” he admitted. “But manageable. I’ll handle it.”
I searched his face, then nodded. “Okay.”
We let it drop.
The next hour blurred by in polite conversation and practiced smiles. Eventually, exhaustion crept in, and when Timothy finally suggested we leave, I nearly sagged with relief.
Outside, the night air was cool, the city lights softer from a distance. Rowan was waiting near the entrance, hands in his pockets, looking far too relaxed.
“There you are,” he said. “Survived?”
“Barely,” I said. “I deserve a medal.”
He laughed. “You did great.”
Timothy said his goodbyes, shook hands, exchanged promises. As we turned to leave, something tugged at me.
I stepped back toward Rowan.
“Hey,” I said gently. “Are you okay?”
For the briefest instant, his face tightened, something sharp flickering behind his eyes.
Then it vanished just as quickly.
“Of course,” he said brightly. “Timothy and I have everything under control.”
“That’s not what I…” I started, then stopped.
He smiled again, wide and polished.
“Goodnight, Hannah.”
I nodded, waved, and let Timothy guide me toward the car.
Inside, the door shut softly, sealing us into quiet.
Timothy glanced at me. “Why did you ask him that?”
I shrugged. “It felt like… something. During your speech. Probably just my imagination.”
He hummed, gaze fixed out the window.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing,” he said. “I’m just… a bit concerned about him. But if he needs help, he’ll reach out.”
I reached over, resting my hand on his arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “He’s lucky to have you.”
He smiled faintly, then glanced at me. “So. What did you think of everyone tonight?”
I groaned immediately. “Oh, don’t get me started.”
He laughed as I launched into a dramatic rant, words tumbling over each other as the city lights streamed past, and for a little while, the night felt lighter again.