Page 85 of Plotting Summer

The thought does ease my worry some. Not much, but a little. It also verifies what I’ve been thinking—with Tristan and me paired together in people’s minds, my confession isn’t coming a moment too soon.

Tristan’s watch beeps seven, and I groan. I close my eyes, pulling in a long, slow breath, and then Tristan’s there, wrapping his arms around me and reminding me exactly why I’m about to do this.

I’m done living a secret life.

I’m done hiding.

Even if telling people is going to suck. Super bad.

“You’ve got this.” Tristan tilts my chin up so I’m looking at him, and his eyes are so full of warmth that I believe him. “And I’ll be waiting to hear all about it when it's over.”

“Let’s just hope everyone laughs off the news like you did.” His fingers brush across my cheek.

“However they react, you’re worth being seen.”

I lean in for one last bolstering kiss before I step out of old Bessie and start toward the front entrance.

“Capri!” Holland is several paces behind me when I glance back, and I wait for her to catch up. With her level of excitement at seeing me, it’s obvious she didn’t go to school with us to realize where I stood on the social ladder. “I didn’t think you were going to make it!”

“I changed my mind.”

“Well, I’m so glad.” When she reaches me, she loops her arm through mine as if we’ve been friends our whole lives. “You’re going to love it.”

I highly doubt that, but I appreciate her enthusiasm.

The automatic doors to the lobby open. “I saw that Tristan dropped you off.” She grins, her eyes searching my profile for any hints I might give. “Are the two of you dating?”

I meet her gaze, relieved I don’t have to keep it a secret anymore. “We are.”

Her face lights up. “I knew it! You two were looking pretty cozy the night of the Fourth. Even when we spoke with you before the parade, he couldn’t get out of there fast enough after you walked away.” Holland breathes a contended sigh. “You two are absolutely adorable together. Seriously.”

“Thanks.” I pause, but before I come up with something to say in return, we step into the large sitting room. Cat and Jane are here already, along with Tristan’s mom who's speaking to Sandra—the receptionist and Sunny Palmer’s self-proclaimed number one fan—and another lady that looks a lot like her. Probably her sister if I had to guess. Virginia’s also camped out on the couch, her purse intentionally positioned next to her, likely saving the spot for my grandma. But what I wasn't expecting is for there to be several other women standing around talking in small groups.

Cat and Jane wave at us and head in our direction. “Hey!” Jane pulls me in for a hug, and with the tightness of it, I can tell it’s a you-can-do-this-and-I’m-so-proud-of-you support hug.

“I’m so glad you came,” Cat says, offering me a kind smile.

“I’m excited to be here,” I say, though it’s only because I’m excited to get this whole thing over with. My gaze sweeps the room again. I count seventeen people, and that doesn’t even include Grandma and Tala who aren’t here yet. “Don’t you usually only have seven or eight women show up?”

Cat nods. “It’s because we’re reading a Sunny Palmer book. Those always draw a few extra.”

Joy comes over to give me a hug, and Sandra tags along with her, as does the look-alike woman who wears a similar bun though hers is more densely streaked with grey.

“You made it!” Sandra claps her hands. “I was so excited when I saw you walk in.” She glances at the woman standing next to her. “Kathy, this is Capri. The one I was telling you about who owns the editing company Sunny Palmer uses.” She looks back at me. “This is my sister, Kathy.”

I give a small wave. “Hey, Kathy. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Wait,” Holland says, her head quirking to one side. “Your company edits for Sunny Palmer?”

The din of voices silences, and the collective gaze shifts in my direction. “One of my editors works with her.”

“How cool is that, though?” Holland appears as impressed as all the others do.

I briefly contemplate if I should use this opportunity to blurt out the truth, but without Tala and Grandma here, I decide to wait. Postponing the inevitable a little longer.

“Kathy is also a huge Sunny Palmer fan.” Sandra looks at her sister. “She’d argue she’s an even bigger fan than I am.”

“I’m just louder about my love for her,” Kathy says with a proud smile. “In fact, a few days after her next release, I’m hosting a Sunny Palmer trivia event at our local library. There will be some pretty awesome prizes, so if anyone wants information on it, I brought some flyers with me to pass out.”