“Sorry. My brain is in writer mode. I love that sort of thing. A unique name. A funny backstory. This whole place is screaming to be written into a story.”
I look around and try to see the diner through Lucy’s eyes. It doesn’t look very special to me, but now that I’m looking for it, there are sweet details all around. Paper snowflakes dangle from the ceiling. Fresh holly and berries drape over the lip of a mason jar by the front register. The booths are lined with cracked leather, but the Formica table tops shine. It’s worn, but well-loved.
“I don’t mean to bore you,” she adds, sounding embarrassed.
“You’re not.” I squeeze her hand. “I was marveling. You notice things that I would skim right over. Don’t apologize for how your mind works, Lu. I happen to like it.”
“Thanks.” She smiles.
“How’s the progress on your book coming?”
She blows out a long breath. “After the absurd number of words I wrote last night, I might just hit my deadline.”
“How long do you have?”
“Till the end of January.” Lucy cringes. “It’s going to be close.”
“You’ll do it.”
Betsy swings back and sets two mugs of coffee in front of us, along with cream and sugar. “Donny’ll have your platters right out.”
We thank her, and as soon as she’s out of earshot, I lean toward Lucy. “By the way, I have a hunch that you know Philomena Grace.”
Lucy focuses on her coffee, shaking a packet of sugar into the brown liquid and stirring it carefully. “What makes you say that?”
“Because I have a feeling that you coordinated getting her connected to Rose at Mood Reader. I’d even go out on a limb and say I could guess your pen name is”—I drop my voice—“Ava Reese.”
Chapter 34
Lucy
Inearly spit out my coffee. If I had any hope of keeping this secret from TJ, it’s gone with that reaction. Could I be more obvious?
I set down my mug, my hand shaking, before I hesitantly meet his gaze. “How’d you know?”
“I was watching you when Rose said that name. Don’t worry, it wouldn’t have been obvious to anyone else. But I see you.” He looks suddenly bashful. “At least, I try to see you … differently than most, I think. I hope you’re not mad.”
I shake my head. “Why would I be mad?”
“Because you didn’t want to tell me.”
“That’s because I don’t tell anyone, TJ. It’s going to take some getting used to, knowing that you know this side of me, too. But I’m not mad. How could I possibly be when you know me well enough to read my cues and figure out a secret I’ve kept buried from everyone?”
He leans back on his side of the booth. “Then I should admit that I didn’t get much sleep last night, either, because I stayed up until three o’clock, and I’m seventy-five percent of the way throughA Summit Lake Love Story.”
My pulse thunders in my ears. I open my mouth, but no words come out.
“Lucy, it’s really good. Like, so good. And you’re, like, really famous.”
I glance around. Even though I know we’re alone, and I know TJ trusts Betsy, I’m still self-conscious. “I’m not famous. Ava Reese is famous. No one knows she’s me.”
“Except for me. I’m so proud of you.” His eyes are filled with sincerity, and I don’t know what to do with it.
I press my hands to my cheeks because they’re burning up. “You’re doing it again—being too nice.”
“Nuh-uh. You’ve earned it, Lu. It’s incredible. You have a gift for storytelling. I can’t wait to read everything. Especially the one you’re working on now, to see how Theo fares.”
“Theo’ll get his happily ever after,” I say with a small smile. I really like how invested TJ is. It’s nice being able to share my writing with someone who isn’t Philly, Bex, or Cassie.
