Chapter 34
Lucy
Inearly spit out my coffee. If I had any hope of keeping this secret from TJ, it’s gone with that reaction. Could I be more obvious?
I set down my mug, my hand shaking, before I hesitantly meet his gaze. “How’d you know?”
“I was watching you when Rose said that name. Don’t worry, it wouldn’t have been obvious to anyone else. But I see you.” He looks suddenly bashful. “At least, I try to see you … differently than most, I think. I hope you’re not mad.”
I shake my head. “Why would I be mad?”
“Because you didn’t want to tell me.”
“That’s because I don’t tell anyone, TJ. It’s going to take some getting used to, knowing that you know this side of me, too. But I’m not mad. How could I possibly be when you know me well enough to read my cues and figure out a secret I’ve kept buried from everyone?”
He leans back on his side of the booth. “Then I should admit that I didn’t get much sleep last night, either, because I stayed up until three o’clock, and I’m seventy-five percent of the way through A Summit Lake Love Story.”
My pulse thunders in my ears. I open my mouth, but no words come out.
“Lucy, it’s really good. Like, so good. And you’re, like, really famous.”
I glance around. Even though I know we’re alone, and I know TJ trusts Betsy, I’m still self-conscious. “I’m not famous. Ava Reese is famous. No one knows she’s me.”
“Except for me. I’m so proud of you.” His eyes are filled with sincerity, and I don’t know what to do with it.
I press my hands to my cheeks because they’re burning up. “You’re doing it again—being too nice.”
“Nuh-uh. You’ve earned it, Lu. It’s incredible. You have a gift for storytelling. I can’t wait to read everything. Especially the one you’re working on now, to see how Theo fares.”
“Theo’ll get his happily ever after,” I say with a small smile. I really like how invested TJ is. It’s nice being able to share my writing with someone who isn’t Philly, Bex, or Cassie.
“I should hope so. He’s going to be your best hero yet.” TJ puffs out his chest and then leans forward. “Did you add tattoos to his character?”
I tip my head to the side, imagining the ink on TJ’s skin where it is beneath his shirt. “Actually, no.”
His eyebrows fly up. “Why not? I thought you liked them.”
“Oh, believe me. I do. I really do. But I meant what I said. Last night was for me and you. If I have anything to say about it, no one else will get to enjoy your tattoos from now on but me.”
I cross my arms, and then it hits me—what I said. Possessive much, Lu? I open my mouth to walk it back, but Betsy appears with our breakfast, setting two piled-high plates between us. I thank her, and she glances at TJ, but he’s staring at me with his jaw hanging slightly open, so she just shrugs.
“Enjoy, kids.” She winks at me and heads back to the counter.
TJ blinks, shaking his head slowly.
“What?” I say, afraid it was too much and I pushed too far and I made this too serious between us too soon.
He keeps shaking his head as he wedges his giant body out of the booth. I panic for a second, thinking he’s going to leave, but then he shoves his plate across the table and joins me on my side.
He takes a seat, his arm pressed up next to mine. “If you’re going to say things as hot as that, then I’m going to need to be closer to you so I can kiss those pretty lips every time words like that come out of them.”
I’m stunned for a second, and then I huff out a laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Thanks to you,” he murmurs, hitting me with a boyish grin.
TJ leads us in a quick prayer, and then we dig in.
Our conversation shifts to things other than my writing.
We discuss his chickens, his grandparents, and what he’s planning for his teammates’ next guys’ night ahead of the game on Sunday.
I tell him how I taught myself cross-stitch, and I share a little bit about my stepsisters.
I tell him about Philly and Bex and Cassie, and how they’re the best friends I could ever ask for.
“Cassie represents all of us. She’s how I got to know Philly. That’s how I made the connection happen for Rose.”
“You realize Rose would lose her mind if she knew that she’s been brushing shoulders with the Ava Reese and she has no idea?”
“Yeah, maybe. She can’t know, though. No one can. Not at this point.”
He nods. “I know. Your secret’s safe with me.”
I nod back. He’s made me feel the most protected.
TJ leans in for a sweet kiss, but he cuts it off sooner than I’d like. “Sorry. My phone is blowing up. Let me make sure everything’s okay, and then I’ll silence it.” He fishes it out of his pocket and stares at the screen. “I have a bunch of texts from Anton.” He frowns as he scrolls.
“What is it?” I have the total body sensation that the happy bubble TJ and I have been enjoying this morning is about to burst.
“I think you’ve been found out.” He flips the phone to me. Anton has attached a video of the front yard of Daisy’s Inn. TJ clicks play. There are several media vans and a ton of reporters set up with tripod cameras. The video was taken from a distance, but it’s obvious they’re staked out there.
My stomach rolls, revolting against the French toast I love so much. This was always a possibility, but I’d gotten used to my anonymity here in Wisconsin. I let my guard down. I felt safe here. Now, though—
“Hey. Hey, Lu. Are you okay?” TJ’s voice sounds far away.
I suck in a deep breath and will the oxygen to reach my brain so I can think. I blink and look over at him, shaking my head slightly. “What am I going to do?”