Around midnight, Jake reluctantly started to leave.
"Stay," Lucy said. "I don't want to be alone tonight."
"Are you sure?"
"Very sure."
They fell asleep in Lucy's bed, wrapped around each other, and for the first time in days, Jake felt completely at peace.
They were going to be okay. They were choosing each other, choosing themselves, choosing to be brave even when it was terrifying.
And that was enough.
Tuesday morning, Lucy woke up with Jake's arm around her waist and sunlight streaming through her bedroom window.
For a moment, she just lay there, feeling the solid warmth of him, the steady rhythm of his breathing.
This was real. They were real.
And in two months, she'd be in Paris. Away from him, away from everything familiar. Building a new life.
The thought was terrifying. But also thrilling.
Jake stirred. "Morning."
"Morning. Don't you have practice?"
"Not until ten. I have time." He pulled her closer. "How are you feeling?"
"Good. Scared. Excited. All of it."
"That's the right answer."
They lay there for a few more minutes before Lucy forced herself to get up. She had a bakery to run, at least for two more months.
In the kitchen, Lucy made coffee while Jake toasted bread. They moved around each other with surprising ease, like they'd been doing this for years instead of days.
"I'm going to miss this," Lucy said. "When I'm in Paris. These quiet mornings."
"We'll have them again when you get back."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
At the bakery, Lucy found a line of customers waiting outside. Word had spread about her announcement yesterday, and people seemed to want to show their support.
Mr. Peterson was first. "I've been thinking about what you said yesterday. About your grandmother wanting you to have choices. I think you're right. I'm sorry I made you feel bad about it."
Mrs. Henderson came in at 8:30 with the Knitting Circle. "We talked last night. We're not boycotting anymore. But Lucy—you'd better come back and open that restaurant you mentioned. We need good food in this town."
By noon, Lucy had served more customers than she had all weekend. People kept coming in—some to buy pastries, some just to say they supported her decision.
Uncle Walter appeared at 2 PM with a bottle of champagne. "We're celebrating tonight. You, me, Jake, Rei. No arguments."
"Uncle Walter, I have work—"
"Mae can close. You need to let people take care of you for once."
