"I mean protect what you've built. This bookstore matters. Your aunt's medical bills matter. Getting crucified for a relationship that started under questionable circumstances doesn't help anyone."
Heat floods through me. "Questionable circumstances."
"You know what I mean."
"Say it plain, Evan."
He sighs. "The power dynamic. The cultural gap. The speed. Come on, Lacy. You're smarter than this. A month ago you didn't know him, and now you're ready to risk everything? That's not you."
"Maybe it is now."
"Or maybe you're caught up in something that feels exciting because it's new and forbidden and dramatic. I get it. But when the dust settles, you're still going to need stability. Structure. Things that actually last."
The funny thing is, he means it kindly. He's not trying to hurt me. He genuinely thinks he's offering salvation, a return to safe ground. The Lacy he knew would probably consider it.
But I've been watching dust settle in sunlight through bookstore windows. I've felt Stone's hands gentle on old paper. I've heard him recite terrible poetry like it's prayer. I've made love to him like the world might end and started each morning grateful it hasn't.
That changed something fundamental.
"I appreciate the offer," I say carefully. "But I'm not interested in distancing myself from Stone. Not publicly, not privately. We're together. That's not negotiable."
Evan's expression shutters. "You're making a mistake."
"Maybe. But it's my mistake to make."
"They're going to destroy you."
"They can try." The compass digs into my hip. North. I know which direction I'm facing. "Was there anything else?"
He looks at me like I'm a stranger. Maybe I am, to him. The careful, practical Lacy who color-coded her life and never took risks she couldn't calculate.
She's still here. But she's sharing space with someone braver.
"Good luck tomorrow," Evan says finally. "You'll need it."
He walks away. I watch him go, as the choice settles into my bones.
Inside, Tess looks up from her laptop. "That looked intense."
"Evan offered to back the business if I publicly dump Stone."
"Jesus. What did you say?"
"No."
She studies me for a long moment. Then, softer: "You sure? That was probably your safety net walking away."
"I'm sure."
"Okay." She turns back to her screen. "Then we'd better make tomorrow count."
We work until dark, refining testimony, building coalitions. Tess has organized a small group of program supporters who'll testify: other business owners, placement workers, even a few sympathetic council staffers. It's something. Not enough to guarantee victory, but enough to make Blair work for her win.
Stone arrives at seven with Thai food and exhaustion written across his face. We eat in the stockroom, sitting on boxes because the table's covered in Tess's papers.
"Darius thinks we have a chance," he says between bites. "Small, but real."
"What kind of chance?"
