Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Orion sets a hand on my hip, leaning in to press a quick, tender kiss to my forehead. “Couldn’t have done it without you. Or Jeb,” he adds with a grin.
I glance offstage where Jeb is happily chattering away at one of the zoo staff, no doubt babbling about who-knows-what. “I think he’s expecting a five-star dinner after that performance.”
Orion chuckles. “He’ll get it. We owe him big time.” Then his gaze slides back to me. “And you too, Bird Trainer. That was your idea, your vision. I’m just following your lead.”
Warmth floods my chest, and I slide my arms around his waist. “I’m so proud of you,” I whisper, letting my head rest against his chest.
He squeezes me gently, voice a low rumble. “I love this. I love you, and the life we’re building.”
My heart flutters, remembering how uncertain everything was not so long ago—Jason’s threats, the Russians, the nights I wondered if we’d even survive. Now, we’re standing on the stage of my new job, living together without fear. The contrast is dizzying in the best way.
“Thank you for always believing in me,” I say softly, pulling back enough to look him in the eye. “Before… I never thought I’d have a life like this. Or a show that merges magic and bird training, for God’s sake.”
He chuckles, tipping my chin up for a light kiss. “You’re unstoppable, Briar. Soon enough, you’ll be running the entire zoo.”
I grin, cheeks flushing at the compliment. “Let’s focus on the next few shows first, huh?”
He smirks. “Deal. I can handle that.”
We linger there, letting the stage lights dim to a faint glow. The staff milling around understand we need this moment—there’s no immediate call to shuffle us off. My mind wanders, imagining a future of bigger bird shows, maybe even a traveling act if Marcie gets ambitious. But for now, we’ll keep it simple: daily magic sets featuring Orion and Jeb, wowing the crowds. And behind the scenes, we’ll keep building this life we’ve fought so hard for.
I slip my hand into Orion’s. “Think Jeb will still do the card tricks in tomorrow’s show, or do we need to up our game?”
He laughs, steering me gently toward the backstage area. “He might get bored and try to juggle. Or maybe vanish on me for real. That bird’s ambition knows no bounds.”
I picture that: Jeb tossing Orion’s wand into the audience mid-performance. The mental image alone has me snickering. “We’ll have to watch him carefully. But hey, at least the audience loves him.”
Orion nods. “True. He’s a star, all right.” Then his tone shifts, growing softer. “Just remember, you’re the real star here, Briar. You’re the one behind the scenes making it all happen.”
I tighten my grip on his hand, gratitude brimming in my chest. “Couldn’t do it without you,” I whisper. “You’re my partner—in magic, birds, and everything else.”
His eyes crinkle at the corners, that familiar warmth I’ve come to associate with his love shining through. “Always.”
The amphitheater empties out entirely, leaving us in a quiet hush broken only by the last echoes of staff chatter. We meander backstage, where Jeb is perched contentedly, munching on grapes in a little treat bowl. He lifts a wing, babbling, “Good show, good show!”—one of the new lines we taught him last week. Orion ruffles the feathers on his head, beaming.
Then Orion slips an arm around my waist, guiding me toward the exit. “How about we celebrate?” he suggests, voice low. “Pick up dinner on the way home, maybe open that bottle of wine we’ve been saving?”
I lean into him, pressing a kiss to his jaw. “I’d like that. Let’s do it.”
In that moment, the swirl of uncertain tomorrows and half-remembered fears fades. All I feel is the steady reassurance of Orion by my side, the soft flutter of love in my chest, and the knowledge that while life is never guaranteed to be easy, we’ve found the kind of happiness most people only dream about.
As we step out into the last golden rays of the setting sun, I glance back at the empty stage one final time, thinking of how it looked with Orion and Jeb in the spotlight, the crowd laughing and applauding. We’ve both traveled a long, dangerous road to get here. And with each day that passes, each show, each quiet dinner at home, I realize just how precious it all is. And how lucky we are to have it.
Clinging to his arm, I savor the present. Whatever the future holds—more illusions, more exotic birds, or maybe even a brand-new act featuring a parrot stand-up routine—one thing’s for sure: we’ll face it together, with laughter, magic, and a heart as full as I ever dared to hope.