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I go up the stairs to the side where the curtains are pulled open.
Diane calls Tyler to the microphone. She’s saying a lot of great things about him and his team of men and the work they did on the playground, but honestly I don’t hear any of it. My heart’s so loud, each beat telling me I’m crazy, questioning what I’m doing. Tyler’s eyes shift to me in the shadows of the curtains. His eyebrows raise like he’s also questioning what I’m doing, but his lips twitch.
That small movement is enough.
As Diane turns around to grab his award from off of the table behind her, I walk out to the middle of the stage.
The lights blind me, but I can feel the weight of eight hundred pairs of eyes. I grab the microphone stand with my hands and take a deep breath.
“I also have something I’d like to say.”
I faintly hear Diane behind me. “Miss Johnson, what are you doing?”
She must’ve taken a step toward me, because Tyler holds his hand out to the side like he’s stopping her from intervening.
Whispers ripple through the room, and I feel like I’m going to faint.
What am I thinking?
I can’t do this.
At least not in front of everyone.
My eyes skip to Tyler. He’s in light-blue golf shorts and a fitted, blue-and-pink-striped shirt. He doesn’t have a hat on, and his brown hair is styled like he put in a little extra effort for the assembly. He’s everything I want in a man. He’s thoughtful, caring, strong, capable, optimistic, and full of so much love.
He’s not the man I thought I would marry, but he’s the man Iwantto marry, and I’d do anything for him to know that—even if it means losing my job. Which is exactly what will happen after I get done with my speech, but somehow, I’m okay with that outcome. He’s worth it.
I look back at the shadowed heads in the crowd. “There have been some rumors going around that Tyler Dixon and I have been dating, and I think it’s about time that we address them, because every week I have a couple of parents and students come up to me and ask me about it.” I pause for a moment to swallow back my nerves. “The answer is yes, we are dating.”
Child screams and claps erupt throughout the room.
I glance at Tyler. His entire face is blank. This might be a mistake, but I’m in too deep now. I’ve already jeopardized my job. I have to see this thing through and win Tyler back.
My eyes shift to the crowd. I motion for the students to calm down, then I begin again. “At least, weweredating, until I messed everything up. I was afraid of losing my job. And I was afraid of other things too.” I don’t need to elaborate onallthe reasons. Nobody here cares that I was comparing myself to Kristen. Actually, by the way the room has hushed, I get the feeling they carea lot, but that’s beside the point. I’m here to apologize and set things straight.
“There are two things in my life that I love.” Technically, I love more than two things. I love my family, chocolate chip cookies, romance movies, etc., but I’m not here to listevery single thing.So I ignore the technicality and keep going. “The first one is my students.” I smile down to where I know my little class is watching me, then I peek over at Tyler. “And the second thing I love is Tyler Dixon.” The excitement in the room picks up again, but I plow forward. “So I guess you could say we were a little bit more than dating, because I fell completely in love with him.”
The auditorium gets even louder than before, but I focus on Tyler. A smile fills his entire face, and it’s as if there’s a spotlight on his cute dimple. He’s doing this surprised laughter thing that’s adorable, while he shakes his head like he can’t believe what I’ve done.
Ican’t even believe it.
“Quiet, please,” I say into the microphone, trying to get the room silent enough so I can continue. “So,” I say, turning to Tyler. “I just want to say that I’m sorry for pushing you away and for being scared of all the little things that don’t matter.” My eyes fill up with tears, and my voice cracks. “I know now that the only thing that matters is that we’re together. I love you.” I shrug. “And loveisenough. Or can be, if you’re willing to put in the work to overcome your weaknesses.”
I don’t have anything else to say, and I don’t even know if what I said was what he needed to hear. When you plan it out in your head, it sounds so great, but in real life, I think I looked more like a deer in headlights than anything.
The room is louder than an amusement park. Kids are standing, jumping up and down and clapping, but I can only see Tyler.
He pulls me into a hug. I’m glad he didn’t go for the kiss. I’m not sure I could’ve handled that much public display of affection. I think confessing my love in front of everyone was plenty good.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” Tyler whispers in my ear, above the noise. “With the way the light shines onto the stage, everyone can see right through your skirt.”
I was expecting an “I love you too.”
I immediately close my legs together.
Of all the days not to remember to wear a slip, it had to be today.
His lips drift into a smirk. “Don’t be embarrassed. I thoroughly enjoyed the show.”
