A light drizzle tapped against the pavement as Pops and Dad escorted me to the towering glass building. I wrapped my denim jacket closer, feeling the sleeves stick to my arms. My cream sundress swirled around my knees, revealing the scuffed white leather of my cowboy boots. Inhaling deeply, the silver moonstone pendant around my neck felt cool against my skin. The city's background noise buzzed in the air, a mix of car horns and distant sirens.
Dad's grip tightened on my shoulder. "You've got this, Sloane," he said, his voice filled with emotion, a change from his usual commanding tone. Pops, the soft-hearted one, enveloped me in a warm hug, whispering, "We're rooting for you, sweetheart."
I nodded, my throat constricted. "I love you both too." Stepping back, my heart raced as I made my
