I've been standing outside the Lamberts' house for ten minutes. I keep lifting my hand and pulling it back from the doorbell. Then, I always end up pacing for at least half a minute before doing it all over again. Through all of it, Dad watches me from the porch railing, never saying anything.

I told everyone that I'd say yes after we were all sure it wasn't a scam. Everyone was all for it, and now I'm here. And I can actually have a chance to be on Broadway. If I could just ring the stupid doorbell.

I stand directly in front of the door again. I ball my hands into fists at my sides, digging my nails into my palms. I shut my eyes and take a few deep breaths. I want to do this. I've always wanted to be on Broadway. If Armand and Coralie are legitimately from a talent agency and think I have what it takes, then I do. No doubt about it. So there's no point in hesitating.

Except I am.

That's why Dad's here. He and Mẹ rock-paper-scissored to see who would come with me to sign with Coralie since I'm a minor. But I think we all knew I would just stand here like an idiot staring at the door, too. Dad won, but he hasn't said or done anything to make me hurry up. I thought he would've by now, but he's just been watching me.

I turn around to face him with a huff, stamping my foot like I'm six. "Can you ring the doorbell for me?"

He shakes his head. "Nope. I'm just here because you're still a minor. You have to make your own decisions about this."

"What does that have to do with ringing the doorbell?"

"Commitment." I make a face, making Dad laugh. "Have I ever told you about the time I first sent out the manuscript and query letters for Quiet Night?" I shake my head. "I was sitting in front of my laptop for about fifteen minutes, and I couldn't hit send on my own. But when I asked your mom, she wouldn't do it for me because she said it'd be more satisfying if I did it on my own. And she was right. I think it'll be the same for you if you ring the doorbell on your own."

I huff, planting my hands on my hips. "I guess..."

Dad laughs again as I turn to face the door. I shut my eyes and take a breath. I usually don't like to admit that Dad is right about anything, but I know he is about this. If I'm going to accept an offer to be on Broadway, I have to take the first steps on my own.

Before I can change my mind, I open my eyes and press the doorbell. No going back now. Unless I run. But Dad wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me into a hug, kissing the top of my head. He whispers, "Proud of you."

So running feels rude on top of cowardly now. Thanks, Dad...

The front door swings open, revealing Coralie. She smiles at me. "Hey, Briar." She nods at Dad. "Are you her father?"

Dad lets me go and nods, holding his hand out. "I'm Gareth Chiem."

Coralie arches an eyebrow. "The author?" Dad nods. "Well, I love your books. I didn't realize Briar was from such a talented family, but that makes a lot of sense." Coralie turns back to me. "I'm assuming you're here for something other than to teach Amalia how to play the guitar?"

I nod. "Yeah. I wanted to tell you that I accept your offer, and I'd appreciate your help to get on Broadway."

Coralie smiles and holds her hand out to me. "I think it'll be a pleasure representing you."

I smile and take her hand, giving her—what I hope is—a confident handshake. Coralie invites me and Dad in to go over a few logistics. She makes everything comfortable and informal for me, but I'm still high on nerves. I have to grip the glass of water she offers me and take sips every few minutes to keep myself from fidgeting.

"Any questions, Briar?" Coralie asks, resting her clasped hands on her desk. "Gareth?"

Dad shakes his head. I shake mine, too, taking another sip from... my empty glass. Coralie and Dad give me amused looks, and I let out a nervous laugh, setting my glass on the desk. "No. Not at the moment. But I'll let you know if I have any."

Coralie nods. "It's okay to be nervous. Honestly, you're handling this a lot better than most people."

I tuck my hair behind my ear. "I find that hard to believe."

Coralie rests her chin on her clasped hands, a warm smile on her face. "No, you are handling it quite well. Says a lot about how you'll handle being on Broadway."

Hearing someone outside of family and friends say I'm going to be on Broadway makes it feel real, and I have to sit on my hands. "You think so?"

"No doubt about it. I saw you on stage. You're practically made for it." Her smile softens. "And I've seen how you are with Amalia. I know you're a sweet girl, and I believe in good people getting good things in life. Part of why Armand and I have Amalia scout out personalities and hand-pick her teachers."

I nod. "Well, that makes you and your family good people, too."

Coralie smiles. "We try." She sits forward and shuffles the papers on her desk. "Well, I guess this means we're leaving for New York at the end of the summer."

The reality of it hits me like a bus all over again. I have to take a deep breath to steady myself. But even then, I can't make myself respond. Dad has to nod for me and say, "That sounds great."

We stand and shake hands again. Coralie walks us out of her office and to the front door. As we pass the stairs, Amalia starts to descend. She pauses when she sees me, and her smile widens.

"Briar!" She jumps the last five steps and tackles me in a hug. Coralie and Dad laugh as they reach out to steady us and make sure we don't fall. Amalia smiles up at me. "So are you gonna be a Broadway star?"

I glance at Coralie who smiles at me. I smile back and look at Amalia. "Yeah. I guess so."

Amalia beams, hugging me a little tighter. "Are you still gonna come back and teach me how to play the guitar, though?"

Why is this kid so cute? I run my hand through her hair, pulling her a little closer to me. "Of course. We can even video chat when I'm not in town."

Amalia looks up at me, resting her chin against my stomach. Her eyes are wide with hope. "Really?"

"Really."

She buries her face into my shirt. "I'm gonna miss you."

"Briar will still be here for the next few weeks, Amalia," Coralie assures her. "You'll still see her for a while."

Amalia's voice comes out muffled when she says, "I know." She turns her head and her voice comes out more clearly. "But I already miss Briar thinking about her going away."

I smile. "I'll miss you, too, Amalia."

"Am I still gonna see Idris, though?"

Coralie gives me a quizzical look. "My boyfriend," I explain. "Amalia likes hanging out with him when I babysit her."

Coralie nods, an intrigued look on her face. "Interesting... Does he have any talents?"

"He's a good editor," Dad says. "And he knows talent when he sees it."

I start to turn to Dad to call him arrogant, but he gives me a meaningful look. I shut my mouth and turn away. I don't feel my face heat up at the compliment, but I do feel the corners of my mouth turn up. I think I can get used to this.

Coralie nods again. "Well, it seems like Amalia really likes him and we can always use people to pick out talent, so if he doesn't want to be an editor and is thinking about being a talent scout or anything, have him reach out to me."

"I'll let him know," I say. I smile down at Amalia. "And I'll see you in a few days for your guitar lesson."

She pulls away, pouting. "You won't stay and play with me?"

I smile, pulling her into one last hug. "Not right now, but another time. Promise."

Amalia keeps pouting, but she nods, wrapping her arms around me again. Once we let go of each other, Coralie walks me and Dad out. She wishes us a good day and closes the door. The moment it clicks shut behind us, I let out a breath, looking out at the warm summer afternoon.

I don't know what I expected to happen after I walked out of the Lamberts' house. Maybe a shift in the world. Everything seems a little brighter, but other than that, nothing has changed. Except for me. I think something inside me shifted, all the pieces falling into place for the first time in a long time.

"How do you feel?" Dad asks.

I turn to look at him. "Satisfied."

He smiles, kissing the top of my head. "I'm really proud of you, Briar."

I lean into him as we walk down the porch steps. "Thanks, Dad."

Now all I have to do is wait until summer is over, and I'm going to New York. From there... we'll see what happens. But what matters is I took a chance. I won't have to worry about what-ifs now. Not everyone can say the same. With that in mind, I let the rest of the pieces shift and fall into place within me, enjoying the bright summer afternoon.