“Press conference.” She gave me a mysterious look from under herlashes.
“During schoolhours?”
“Whole school’s invited, Ihear.”
The Vice Principal stuck her head out the door. “We’re calling an all-schoolmeeting.”
I glanced at O’Neal. Okay. This wasweird.
“What’s up?” I asked the VicePrincipal.
“Can you get these guys over to theauditorium?”
“The auditorium?” I frowned at her, no clue what was going on, and then gathered the kids into their single-fileline.
“Big announcement,” O’Nealwhispered.
“You’re seriously not gonna tellme?”
Her lips tightened into a knowing smirk. “Nope.”
The buzz, when we got there, was huge. Kids shrieking, adults murmuring. Beyond the usual throng of children, I spotted the mayor up on the stage, a few cameras, people in suits, and in the middle of thestage—
“Oh myGod.”
“Way hotter than his picture.” O’Neal leaned in to say into myear.
I nodded, incapable of more. I was frantic. What was he about to do? And, at the same time, I could see he looked good in a suit. Better than good, he looked like home. It made me want to cry and hug him. It made me wish I could take it allback.
By the time the principal quieted everything down, I could barely hear for the pounding heartbeat in myears.
“We are here with some great news. As part of a larger donation to the city and the entire school system, our school has received a generous gift. This summer, we will be closing down the TJ Elementary School Library in order to perform some much-needed renovations and an expansion. This is only a small part of the donation, which you’ll be hearing more about in an official communication from the school board. All thanks to Mr. Zach Hubler, who has asked to say a few words today.” She stepped away from the podium. “Mr.Hubler.”
Carefully, Zach took the two steps to the podium, where he slid one hand over the wood to the mike. He leaned forward. “Th—” He cleared his throat and started over. He was shaking—I could see it from here—and I wanted him to stop.You don’t have to do this!I wanted to scream. Instead, I waited, breathheld.
“Thank you, PrincipalWalker.”
His voice, oh God I’d missed that voice, a little gravelly and low, but also calming, despite the nerves he must have, being in front of an audience. When he talked, it settled me. I closed my eyes and wished us away from thecrowd.
“I won’t take up much of your time.” He swallowed and I could see how nervous he was. I wanted to hold him. “I’m here pr-primarily for the sake of one of your teachers—a woman who happens to be on our city council and who also happens to be the love of mylife.”
A wave of sound rose up, whispers swelling into chattering, faces turned to find me in the crowd. I fought an urge to sink to my knees and hide amongst the four-year-olds, but if he was here, daring to come out for me, then I could stay here and takeit.
“Veronica Cruz has taught me somuch.”
I gulped at the double meaning to those words, glanced around and, thankfully, didn’t see anyone leering. They couldn’t possibly know how we’d spent our nightstogether.
“She taught me the importance of honesty, the importance of facing your biggest fears, and, above all, the importance of doing what’s right, even when it isn’t easy. Even if it’s the hardest thing you’ll everdo.”
It occurred to me that he couldn’t possibly know if I was here. Maybe, if I told him I was, he’d stop and we could talk this out in private. It could turn out okay. I’d forgivehim.
“Today, I’m here to dedicate the new library to Ms. Veronica Cruz. I’m well aware that she would hate to have her name on a plaque beside the door, so I’ll let the city or the school board or whomever decide what name to use in the end. Hopefully you’re here, Veronica. If you are, I have something to say: I’ve left the old me behind. At least part of him—the part you had a hard time with. But I can’t seem to move forward without you in my life. I’d ask you to marry me, but I’m pretty sure you’d tell me it’spremature.”
The voices got louder at that and I went from blushing to a cold sweat.What are you doing,Zach?
“I’ll ask you this instead.” He went on and I could do nothing but stare at him, my eyes big, unblinking, my face hot and dry, my chest so tight I couldn’t suck in a breath. “Would you go out with me? On a date? Dinner or a movie or whatever youwant.”
He waited, the crowd quieted, except for a couple kids, and they all turned to look at me. Damn it. Was he seriously doing this? Was he really asking me out, here, in front of all thesepeople?
