“That was excellent.”

Devin grinned.

Garrett watched from the side.

For the first time, he understood why Lena had been tying her nephew’s shoelace instead of watching his demonstration.

She hadn’t been ignoring greatness.

She had been paying attention to something that mattered more to her.

At the end of the event, Garrett approached Lena.

“Can I tell you something?”

She smiled.

“Sure.”

“I used to think being a champion meant everyone should recognize me.”

Lena nodded.

“And now?”

He looked toward the children laughing near the mats.

“Now I think it means I have more responsibility.”

Lena smiled.

“That’s a better definition.”

Garrett hesitated.

“Would you ever consider teaching a class here?”

Lena laughed.

“Maybe.”

He looked hopeful.

“But only if Devin wants me to.”

Garrett laughed too.

“Fair enough.”

Devin ran toward them.

“Aunt Lena!”

“Yeah?”

“Can you tie my shoe?”

Lena looked down.

The lace had come undone again.

She sighed dramatically.

“Devin, I swear your shoes are working against me.”

He laughed.

She crouched.

Garrett watched quietly.

This time, he didn’t feel ignored.

He didn’t need Lena to look up.

He didn’t need applause.

He didn’t need to prove that he was the strongest person in the room.

He simply waited.

When Lena finished, Devin stood and ran toward his friends.

Garrett smiled.

“He’s lucky to have you.”

Lena looked up.

“I’m lucky to have him.”

And for the first time since Garrett Voss had met her, he understood that the most impressive thing about Lena Cross had never been her championship record.

It was the way she made one nervous twelve-year-old feel like he belonged.

The End.