Poe slaps my back and Anton leans over. “Surprise,” he whispers with a grin.
Without taking my eyes off Lucy, I say, “You knew about this?”
“Only since yesterday. Lucy texted Rose that she was coming.”
I shake my head slowly as Lucy makes it to where Roy and Sarah are standing. Roy leans forward and speaks into the mic again as Sarah hugs Lucy. “We’re bowled over to have LucyDupree here with us tonight, and even more in awe of her generosity. Lucy, if you’d like to say a few words.”
My eyes are locked on Lucy, and my heart is thundering in my chest as she steps forward. Her eyes scan the crowd, and I know the minute she spots me, because her shoulders sink ever so slightly and a small smile lifts the corners of her mouth.
“The honor of being here is all mine,” Lucy begins. “I didn’t want to make a big deal out of this, but apparently when I get on stage these days, people are on the edge of their seats, wondering what I’ll say next.” She gives a self-deprecating chuckle, and the entire audience titters. “But this isn’t about me. It’s about Tess Stewart and the life she lived. I was made aware of what an amazing person Tess was from a friend at the time, and he was inspired by Tess, and in return, I was inspired by him. There’s something to be said for living each of our days to the fullest. Tess did that, and I want to be better about doing that, too. That’s why I’m here.
“For the past year, I’ve lived my life in hiding, tucked away because of what happened at the last stage I stood on. I’m not proud of some of the things I said, but thinking about Tess and how none of us know when it’ll be our time made me realize that I don’t want to have regrets. My past and the mistakes I made have formed me into who I am, which is a work in progress. I don’t want to miss out on life and love because I’m too afraid to embrace it. Even though I didn’t know her personally, I know Tess’s legacy is one of living life fully, freely, and for others. Her heart lives on in all those who love her and in all of you in this room. It is my honor to make a donation to the Tess Stewart Scholarship Fund.”
Lucy steps back from the microphone as the audience claps. I’m halfway out of my chair, my body instinctively moving in her direction, when Sarah steps forward and lowers the mic so she can be heard.
“What Lucy is too humble to tell you is that she’s donating one hundred thousand dollars to Tess’s fund and matching the next fifty thousand dollars we raise tonight.”
The room gasps, and I do, too.
Lucy shakes her head, holding up her hands like she doesn’t want to make any of this about her. My heart is ready to explode as the room erupts in praise and applause.
I track Lucy as she hurries off the stage and down the stairs to the far side. I have to weave through the tables, and I lose sight of her for a minute. My entire body goes into panic mode. Where is she? I need to find her, to hold her, to thank her. Then I spot her, standing out of view of the rest of the audience. She turns and our eyes meet, and she holds up a hand in a shy wave, a tentative smile on her face.
I’m to her in three long strides, and I wrap her in my arms, lifting her off the ground and holding her to me in a crushing hug.
“Thank you for being here,” I whisper into the soft skin of her neck.
“I’m sorry I didn’t have the courage to be here for you sooner,” she says quietly. “I shouldn’t have left for California knowing you had to face this. I should have told you I’d come with you from the start.”
I lean back so I can look at her. She brushes her hand over my forehead. She doesn’t lean in to kiss me. I can tell she’s doing it out of respect for Tess and her family, and it makes me love and respect her even more. I set her on her feet and press a kiss to her forehead.
“I didn’t expect you to come out of hiding for me.”
“I know you didn’t. But I meant what I said up there. I don’t want to live my life in the shadows. Not when doing so stops me from showing up for the people I care about.” She reaches for my hands and squeezes them. “I care about you, TJ. A lot.”
My eye catches on something silver and shiny hanging from her neck. I reach out to touch the discs with my initials on them. I flick my gaze to hers. Her cheeks turn pink.
“I … I was missing you, and I wanted a way to keep you close. Is it … too much?”
“Too much?” I say with disbelief. “Considering I was thinking of tattooing your name across my arm so everyone would know how gone for you I am, no, I don’t think you having my initials hanging around your neck is too much.”
Her blush deepens. “You’re going to get a tattoo for me?”
“I told you. I get tattoos for the things that matter the most to me. That’s you.”
Her eyes well with tears, and I pull her to me in another hug, relishing that she’s here and that I get to hold her. I don’t know what life has in store for us—none of us really do—but here and now, Lucy is by my side, and there’s no one else with whom I’d rather face whatever comes.
Chapter 40
Lucy
Aknock sounds on the door of the duplex I’m sharing with Rose. I toss my cross-stitch hoop down and jump up.
It’s been three months since TJ and I officially became a couple. Three months since my cover at Daisy’s Inn was blown. Three months since I flew to California and then flew back to Chicago for Tess’s benefit. Three months of stepping into the spotlight alongside TJ, facing down the critics with humility but also with my chin held high. TJ has been my constant support.
The producers ofDinner with the Dupreesdecided to air the unedited sequence of events, with me coming to dinner and having a heart-to-heart with my family and those in attendance, explaining myself and offering an apology. They felt like it was the most direct way to reach the most people, and it’s been mostly well-received. Some people are still absolutely vicious with their words and opinions, and they often hide behind their computer screens, more than happy to tear me down. Other people—both online and in real life—have willingly forgiven and offered me validation and well-wishes. It’s been a mixed bag, but I’m grateful to be on the other side of my stint in hiding. It’s good to live in the light instead of hiding away in the shadows.
“Somebody’s excited for her date.” Rose grins at me from her end of the couch. I moved in with her in January, and it’s been such a good fit. She’s got her laptop out, and we’ve been working alongside each other in amiable silence for the past hour. She’s writing a story of her own, and it’s been killing me not to tell her about my author career. Soon. The two of us have become closeas roommates and as we shared the ups and downs of watching the River Foxes win their second straight Super Bowl together earlier this year.
