Chapter 57

The energyin Marlin’s Park was electric as people streamed through the gates on that crisp October evening. Natalia stood backstage, gazing out at the slowly filling arena.

The domed roof was closed to keep out the humidity, and the air conditioning hummed steadily, blasting away the sticky heat of the day. Row upon row of seats circled the extravagant stage that had been constructed on the baseball field below.

A buzz of excitement hung thick in the cool air as attendees found their places. The steady beat of music pumped through the speakers, ratcheting up the atmosphere. Voices echoed off the cavernous cement walls, merging into an expectant din.

Backstage, Natalia observed the controlled chaos preparing for showtime like she was a visitor in someone else’s body. Dancers stretched and ran through routines, while technicians bustled about twiddling knobs and adjusting spotlights. Makeup artists dabbed and powdered the lineup of singers and celebrities waiting in the wings.

She was entirely too calm in the chaos. Months of planning had led to this moment, and her lack of tense muscles probably meant she wasn’t prepared enough. But there was just too much pride in her chest to make room for fear.

“Natalia,” Carmen’s mother, a serious woman Natalia had liked the moment she’d donated her time and law firm to the cause pro bono, approached her with a troop of suits behind her. “They’re here.”

Attention darting to the Founders Legends Suite skybox perched behind home plate. She couldn’t see from clear across the stadium, but knowing that Miami’s most famous daughter, her own actual queer daughter, had arrived was a thrill.

“You really got her,” Natalia said with open admiration.

Carmen’s mother grinned. “I told you I would.”

Looking back at the skybox, Natalia couldn’t help her smile. Just their high-profile presence alone was a huge boon, but if they contributed to the cause, it would be a big step toward their daunting goal.

“Ma’am, you can’t be back here!”

The sound of a screech forced Natalia’s attention toward a commotion. Ready for things to fall apart at any moment, Natalia charged toward the problem.

“Says who?” the familiar voice shot back.

When the crowd parted for Natalia, she confirmed her suspicion. Sky Bamford, the owner of the building that housed Dominion Talent Agency and now Dominion Films as well, was pushing past a volunteer usher with her little Fennec fox in the crook of her arm. Her creepy sidekick, Fortune, followed behind her.

“Natalie, darling, I can’t stay for your show, but White Fox Enterprises wanted to make a small contribution to your little endeavor.”

Blood rushed into her eardrums. Rage nearly severed the connection from her brain to her body. She was about to rip the entitled old kook into shreds for getting her name wrong when a check was suddenly in her hand.

“Oh, no dear, no photos,” Bamford said to the kid with the camera.

Natalia looked down at the paper, her eyes not believing the number of zeros. Suddenly the urge to tell off the entitled billionaire lost its urgency. If this was a paltry sum, she couldn’t imagine what a lot was.

“Send the paperwork to my accountant,” Bamford said before disappearing back into the crowd like Natalia had any idea who her accountant was or what paperwork she meant.

A flurry of noise and people surrounded her while Natalia checked and re-checked that they were ready to start. On time and without major hitches.

She was on her way to command central, where the production team was stationed, when a warm hand slipped into hers. Sam, platinum hair freshly bleached and undercut newly buzzed, was at her side.

“Hey, babe.” Sam kissed her cheek.

“You’re supposed to be in your seat.” Natalia pointed toward the small skybox she’d reserved for her by paying the hefty deposit like everyone else.

Sam smiled. “No problem. If you come with me.”

“I can’t?—”

“Before you give me your Type A excuses…” Sam held up a small, black walkie-talkie. “It will take less than thirty seconds to get from the suite to HQ, and everyone has sworn blood oaths to call if the slightest thing goes wrong.”

Natalia glared. “You think you’re so cute.”

Sam rocked on her heels. “And I’m so often right,” she replied before kissing her lips. “Let’s watch this incredible show you’ve put together, huh? Why else did all those experienced event professionals donate their time to this? Let them do what they do best.”

“Fine,” she relented, but only because the suite had a different vantage point than the production box. She’d be able to watch for fires they might miss.

They arrived in the private space the size of a tiny apartment’s living room just in time to watch Roxy take the stage. Natalia was too nervous to sit or accept the glass of champagne Sam offered. Eyes glued to the massive stage, she held her breath and prayed for the first time in decades.

As soon as Roxy took the stage in ripped jeans and a glorified bikini top, the sold-out stadium cheered.

“Hello Miami!” Roxy’s voice boomed through the speakers. Natalia couldn’t help but smile. Roxy was a natural performer, immediately commanding the attention of even this massive audience. “Who is ready to throw their money at some hot… sexy… deadly… gay vampire babes?”

“That’s a bit reductive,” Sam said as she sipped her bubbly.

The crowd’s cheer turned deafening, and Natalia smirked. “Leave it to the professionals, babe.”

Sam laughed, the sound filling Natalia with the kind of joy she’d never felt before meeting her.

As Roxy sang, Natalia noticed her blow a discreet kiss toward the wings. She followed her gaze to Adriana, watching with unconcealed pride. Natalia had questioned the wisdom of them dating, but she couldn’t deny their connection.

Roxy powered through her set with flawless vocals and showmanship. Natalia swelled with pride for the star she had helped build. Roxy held the massive crowd in the palm of her hand, taking them on an emotional journey before finishing with a call for donations and reminding the crowd what number to text.

Behind her, an enormous screen showed the influx of cash in ten-foot-tall digits. Roxy looked behind her and shook her head.

“You guys…” she sighed. “You’re holding out on me, aren’t you?” She paused, letting the tension rise. “I get it. You want to see if it’s really worth it.” She smiled offstage before giving Adriana the come-up-here nod.

With a fierce blush, but no hesitation, Adriana stepped out onto the stage. The crowd lost its collective mind. While they did their bit on stage, the figure behind the stage ballooned.

“God, they’re cute,” Sam said with a chuckle.

Natalia watched Roxy and Adriana on stage. Despite her doubts, seeing them together now, so clearly in love, she had to admit they were good for each other.

Roxy was a natural star, commanding the massive crowd with ease. But Natalia noticed the softness in her eyes when she looked at Adriana, a vulnerability Roxy rarely revealed. And Adriana, normally so reserved, lit up on stage next to her girlfriend, glowing with pride and affection.

They balanced each other. Natalia could see Roxy was growing up, taking things more seriously with Adriana at her side. And Adriana was learning to loosen up and enjoy life’s spontaneous moments under Roxy’s influence.

Watching them interact on stage, playing off each other seamlessly, Natalia swelled with pride. She had helped guide them both in their careers, and now they were thriving, both professionally and personally.

She glanced over at her own love, Sam, who was watching the show with a smile. Natalia’s heart felt too full to contain. She never expected to find this kind of love and acceptance. Neither had Roxy and Adriana, most likely. Yet here they all were, embracing the gifts life had unexpectedly offered them.

“What?” Sam eyed her with open suspicion, but the smile on her lips never faltered. Could she read what Natalia wasn’t saying? Sam had gotten irritatingly good at reading her.

“Nothing.”

Natalia’s phone buzzed in her hand. The moment she saw Lola’s name appear in her message banner, her heart froze, but then she read the text.

Lola: Starla and Elaine just got back to me. They just arrived at a port in Greece and were disappointed they couldn’t be here, but Elaine wants to invest “big gay bucks” and Starla wants to attach her name to the project to generate buzz. She said she’ll take any role and will do anything we need for publicity.

Natalia could almost laugh. In her life, she could never imagine that people would give so freely of themselves for nothing tangible in return — just a chance to contribute to an artistic end.

The show moved in a seamless blur. Before Natalia knew it, they were halfway through the program. She stared at the fundraising tally on the screen, her shock leaving her unable to speak. The jumbotron was already showing more than their initial goal. That didn’t even include revenue from ticket sales and major donations like the one from Sky Bamford and Elaine.

“You did it, babe.”

Natalia turned to see Sam beaming at her, eyes bright with emotion. “We all did it,” Natalia replied, shaking her head in disbelief.

“No, this was your vision.” Sam moved closer, taking Natalia’s hands. “You brought everyone together and made the impossible happen. Just like you always do.”

Natalia started to deflect the praise, but something in Sam’s expression gave her pause. The sheer love and admiration shining from her partner’s eyes stole Natalia’s breath.

“I’m so proud of you, Natalia. And so in love with you.” Sam’s voice wavered with feeling. “I’ve felt that way for a long time, but I want you to hear it. I love you.”

Natalia swallowed hard against the sudden tightness in her throat. Sam had never said the words aloud before. Natalia knew she cared deeply, but love had felt like dangerous, uncharted territory.

Now Sam was gazing at her with naked emotion, having spoken the very words Natalia had been too scared to say herself.

A new fear wormed its way into her chest. “Oh, God. Does that mean you want to get married?”

Some people might have been offended at Natalia’s response, but Sam tossed her head back and laughed. Laughed hard.

“Absolutely not. We’ll live in sin until we’re wrinkled old ladies.”

Natalia chuckled, completely exhilarated. “Professor, it’s almost like you don’t understand how Botox and fillers work.”

Pulling her close, Sam kissed her. Kissed her until Natalia couldn’t breathe. Until she forgot where they were. Until she forgot to be scared of the comedown. There was room for Sam and Dominion and herself.