Page 138 of My All American Girl

“Of course,” I responded. The group of friends gathered around Sarah. They posed, smiling. Then of course, the guys had to get goofy. I took several pictures before handing the phone back to Kylee.

“Just a minute,” I said, pulling my own phone out of my pocket. “I want one for myself.”

They all laughed and posed again, Sarah looking radiant in the center. I snapped a few photos before tucking my phone away again.

Meg and Karen made their way to us. Once again, Sarah was showered with praise.

“Let me get your picture together,” I said.

Once again, I played the photographer, getting pictures of Sarah with her mom and sister. Mo would get his chance later. He was surrounded by other officers.

“Meg, let’s go find your father,” Karen said. “We’ll catch up with you guys tomorrow. I’m sure there will be a lot of celebrating going on tonight.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Sarah said and gave her mom and sister a hug.

Rolley grinned mischievously as he sidled up to Sarah. “Hey, is your sister single?” he asked, waggling his eyebrows.

Sarah rolled her eyes and playfully punched his arm. “Back off, Rolley. You want me to bust your kneecaps so you can’t do UPT next year either?”

He laughed, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay, I was just kidding.”

“Hey, I’ll find you in fifteen minutes,” Sarah said. “I want to say goodbye to a few people.”

“I’ll be here,” I said.

I watched her walk away with a smile on my face. I remembered the day I graduated. It was a huge accomplishment. I slowly moved to the outskirts of the crowd, recognizing a lot of faces. A lot of my former colleagues shook my hand and asked how I was doing. It was good to see them and hear where their careers were taking them.

Sarah waved at me from a crowd. I gave her a thumbs-up, letting her know she was free to mingle. I was a big boy. I didn’t need her at my side all night to feel secure.

“Ryker,” Mo said, putting a hand on my shoulder.

“Mo, good speech,” I said.

He chuckled. “I’ve given so many of those I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore.”

“I’m guessing this one was a little different,” I teased.

He smiled. “Yes, I suppose it was.”

Our friendship had been through the wringer, but we were slowly finding our way back. We had spent the holidays with them in Colorado. I knew it was still hard for him to see his little girl all grown up. But he was easing into it. I understood and was perfectly fine with letting him warm up to the idea.

“You must be proud,” I said, nodding toward Sarah, who was laughing with her friends.

Mo’s expression softened. “I am. She’s something special.”

“Yes, she is.” I nodded. “Top of her class, that’s a pretty big accomplishment.”

Mo grinned. “I always knew that’s where she would finish. She’s special.”

“I agree.”

“She’s going to do great things,” he said with a proud smile. He watched her for a couple more minutes. “I’m going to take Meg and my wife back to the hotel.”

“You’re not going to the banquet?”

He shook his head. “If you’ve been to five, you’ve been to a hundred. I promised my girls I would take them to a nice, private dinner.”

Realizing I wasn’t going to get a chance to talk to him later, I knew I had to take the opportunity to do it now. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. I sent up a silent prayer for courage. “Mo, I’d like to talk to you in private sometime soon. There’s something I’d like to ask you.”