I can feel the attention of the people around us shifting toward Afton.

My phone buzzes.

Nick.

Your dress is really pretty.

I scan the tables around me until I find him sitting with his dad, closer to the back. He waves at me and then pantomimes being shot in the heart. Like my good looks are killing him.

He’s wearing a dark gray suit and a tie, as well dressed as I’ve ever seen him. He’s also gotten a haircut—not short, exactly, but neater, no longer in his eyes.

For me. He gussied up for me.

Suddenly the primping and pain from earlier feels worth it.

You’re pretty, too, I text. I want to write something sexier, something clever and bold and fun, but I can’t think of anything. I search the emojis for the tea one, which is some green steaming liquid in a white mug, but I end up going with a GIF of Morticia Addams drinking tea instead.

I watch the smile bloom on his face. We spend the next several minutes sending tea GIFs to one another, and then the band abruptly stops playing and the awards ceremony officially starts up.

Dr. Asaju gives a speech about how informative and productive the conference has been. He makes the team who had organized the trip come up in front of everyone, and we all clap. That’s what awards night is really about: clapping for how great the conference has been, and then clapping for the people who organized it, and clapping for every person who wins an award, and the people who present the awards, and for the entertainment, and for the food and the people who serve the food, and the fine hotel that hosted us, and finally clapping because we are so happy that the awards are over so we can rest our weary hands.

My mom and her black dress sweep onto the stage. We all clap for her.

“I’m now going to present the Earl Bakken Scientific Achievement Award,” she says. Her voice is slightly sharper than usual—the only indication I can see that she might be nervous up there with thousands of eyes on her. “This award was established in 1999 to honor individuals who have made outstanding scientific contributions that have enhanced the practice of cardiothoracic surgery and patients’ quality of life.”

Clap clap clap.

Your mom is so boss, texts Nick.

I can’t explain that I would rather have a mother than a boss, and it seems that Aster Bloom, for all her great badassery, is not capable of being both.

“The award is named after Mr. Earl Bakken, who, among his many great accomplishments, developed the first wearable artificial pacemaker,” Mom continues smoothly.

Clap clap.