It was also the most exciting thing she'd done in five years.
Jake heard about Lucy's announcement from Marcus, who heard it from Rei, who'd been there.
"She was amazing," Marcus reported during Monday afternoon practice. "Stood up in front of the whole town and owned her decision. Didn't apologize, didn't back down. Just explained why she was doing it and asked them to trust her."
"How did they react?"
"Mixed. Some people came around. Some are still processing. But Jake—she was brave. Really brave."
After practice, Jake showered and headed to Giuseppe's to pick up dinner. Lucy had said she didn't want to be alone, and Jake wasn't about to let her spend the evening spiraling.
Giuseppe greeted him at the door. "Jake Morrison! I heard about Lucy's announcement. Very brave, that girl. Your Lucy is very brave."
"She's not my—" Jake stopped. "Yeah. She is."
"You take care of her, yes? She needs someone strong. Someone who will support her choices."
"I'm trying."
Giuseppe packed up enough pasta to feed four people and refused to let Jake pay. "For love!" he insisted.
At 6 PM, Jake knocked on Lucy's apartment door. She opened it immediately, still in her bakery clothes, flour on her cheek as always.
"Hey," she said.
"Hey. I brought enough pasta to feed an army because Giuseppe is convinced we're wasting away."
Lucy laughed—really laughed—and Jake felt something in his chest unclench.
They settled on Lucy's couch with the pasta, and for a while they just ate in comfortable silence.
"Tell me about the announcement," Jake said finally.
Lucy told him everything—about gathering the town, about explaining her decision, about Mrs. Henderson's parting words.
"I thought I'd feel more relieved," Lucy admitted. "But mostly I just feel exhausted."
"That's normal. You just made one of the biggest decisions of your life."
"Did you feel this way when you turned down Nashville?"
"The first time or the second time?"
Lucy looked at him. "You turned it down twice?"
Jake told her about Derek's call Saturday morning. About how he'd briefly considered reconsidering. About how he'd ultimately called back and said no for good.
"Why?" Lucy asked. "Why did you turn it down again?"
"Because I chose this life. I chose Timber Falls, chose coaching, chose you. And I'm not going to second-guess that just because it's scary or uncertain."
"What if I leave for culinary school and you regret staying?"
"I won't. Lucy, I'm not staying for you. I'm staying for me. Because this is where I want to build my life. You're part of that life, yes—a really important part. But even if we weren't together, I'd still choose this."
Lucy was quiet for a moment. "I got accepted to a culinary program today."
Jake felt his heart stutter. "What? When did you apply?"
