Page 131 of Over the Limit

“Lachlan Evans,” the emcee calls. I stand there and stare at the two of them—mother and daughter—who are so alike but so very different.

“Lachlan,” the stagehand calls over and beckons me toward her.

Everything is happening too fast. I need to right things with Monica. To explain. To convince her. To have Zola convince her.

“Lachlan,” the stagehand repeats again as I look at both women and then move toward her.

“Lach,” Zola calls out and grabs my arm. Flustered I shrug her off me. “Lachlan, I’ve got this. I’ll handle her. Some woman is lucky enough that you love her. You need to stop hiding it and show her off to the world.”

I stare at Zola. I hear her words as I’m all but pushed onstage. The next few moments are a blur.

You deceived Monica.

The lights from the stage.

You haven’t stood up for the woman you love.

The applause from the audience.

You’ve hidden truths to protect your own career.

The reading of the name from my envelope.

This is not the man you are.

Blair is right in front of the stage, and I meet her eyes. She looks as concerned as I feel. But there’s nothing I can do right now.

This is not the man Dad raised you to be.

Not a goddamn thing.

Blair deserves so much better than this.

“There’s one more thing,” I say into the mic when the applause has died down. “One very important person we need to thank.”

I stand there looking at stage right where both Monica and Paolo stand. Her with her affluence and entitlement and him with his ridiculous parameters.

I shake my head as I look at them. Haven’t I been all these things over the past few months? Not standing up for the woman I love? Hiding away from the world because I fear the fallout? Not believing in myself or my abilities nor the strength of what Blair and I have?

There is so much going on in my head. So many things I want to say but know I shouldn’t. So many lines I’m about to cross and leap over them gladly.

“Blair Carmichael. Can you come up here?”

Blair eyes me dubiously from the audience but climbs the stairs cautiously until she’s on the stage. Center spotlight to be exact. Right where she deserves to be.

“So small confession. I know Blair. Blair is . . .” I meet her eyes across the small space and see the tears welling in her eyes. “She’s incredible. You see, Blair stepped up into this role when the prior coordinator left. An event this size, with so many facets, would take at least six months to put together. Blair did it in about three.” The crowd cheers loudly, and I watch as Blair’s cheeks flush. God, she’s beautiful. “And I know this because I love this woman.” More people cheer, probably not realizing what type of love I’m talking about here. “She’s mine and I couldn’t be prouder of her.” Expressions begin to shift as the crowd realizes what I’m saying. “She’s had to organize this whole, incredible event, while pretending she wasn’t mine for fear she might be fired or accused of impropriety for simply loving who she loves. So I want to announce it here and now. This”—I hold out my hands to the entire room—“is all because of Blair’s hard work. Her dedication. Her attention to detail.”

The crowd erupts in applause. I can see Paolo looking on from stage right, and I meet his eyes. There might even be a little try to fire her in my look.

But even with everyone around us—a crowd, a telecast, everything—I feel like it’s just Blair and me, like it’s been for the past few months.

I’m sick of hiding. I’m sick of playing the game. She’s risked it all for me, isn’t it time I do the same for her?

“She got this position because she earned it. She nailed this gala tonight because that’s what she does. It has nothing to do with dating me and everything to do with what an incredible person she is.” I look over to her and her wide eyes and her nervous smile. “I love you, Blair, and I’m so very proud of you for this incredible event you put on tonight and for all the people you are helping with the charitable contributions raised because of it.”

The crowd erupts again, and I walk off to the side of the stage to allow Blair the spotlight she deserves. To let her accept the praise she deserves. And my heart beats out of my chest with pride.

I wait for her backstage.