One Tiny Lie – Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,8

She’d have to figure out how to manage the deception of her not actually being Ava—a hurtle that seemed insurmountable now—but Luna would have to just take things one step at a time.

A silent exchange passed between Beverly and Juliette. Hudson sat back in his seat, a lopsided grin pulling at his lips, making him look boyishly adorable. “Oh, no,” he teased, his index finger encapsulating them both as he pointed from one to the other, “what’re they plotting now?”

“It must be something big,” Luna said, getting in on the fun. Beverly and Todd Giles, Hudson, this place—they were becoming Luna’s world. She wanted to stay here. She wanted to belong here, but not as Ava. She wanted them to eventually come to know her as herself. That’s why Luna was willing to give up her share of the music earnings. More than amassing wealth for herself, Luna wanted to help the Gileses. She wanted to earn their love and trust. Not just theirs, but Hudson’s as well.

Juliette swatted Hudson’s arm as she made a pssh sound with her lips. “You’re so funny,” she laughed.

Hudson lifted an eyebrow. “Funny, but right on the money.” He let out a heavy sigh as he fingered his napkin. “Okay, let’s hear it.”

Juliette glanced nervously at Beverly before looking back at Hudson and Luna. Watching Beverly’s demeanor made Luna’s nerves jump a little. “Well,” Juliette began, her face radiating a hopeful enthusiasm. “Beverly and I thought it would be nice if you and Ava would announce your engagement at Todd’s birthday party.”

Beverly jumped in. “Ava’s going to perform. The two of you could make the announcement right after.”

A soft gasp rose in Luna’s throat. The birthday party was less than two weeks away! She felt spikes of terror raining down over her—terror over performing and apprehension about the engagement. Luna had a decent singing voice, but nothing like Ava’s. Furthermore, the mere thought of getting up in front of people to sing or speak made her sick at her stomach. She looked at Hudson to get his reaction about the engagement, but his expression was unreadable. Before long, the two of them would have to gently explain to the Gileses and Davenports that there would be no engagement. The best that Luna could hope for was that Hudson would give her a chance to build a relationship with him. Maybe in time, Luna could repair the damage that Ava had done when she went to Atlanta to meet with their birthmother, leaving Hudson in a lurch.

“What do you think?” Juliette prompted, a heightened cheerfulness in her voice.

Hudson looked at Luna. She would’ve given anything to be able to read his mind right now. Silently, she tried to convey to him that it was okay if he didn’t want to go through with the engagement. Luna could appreciate that he’d been hurt by Ava’s lack of affection towards him. Also, what man wanted to think that he was someone’s meal ticket? While they’d not brought it out in the open, Hudson had to know that Beverly and Todd hoped to gain financially from the marriage. Luna respected that Hudson wanted someone to love him for himself. I could be that someone, her heart uttered, and she felt such a fierce longing that she thought it might consume her.

“Okay,” Hudson said, “let’s do it.”

An incredulous laugh gurgled in Luna’s throat. “But you said—”

He reached for her hand beneath the table, squeezing it. A cue for her not to finish her sentence. Her words got snuffed out in awkward silence. A smile spread over his lips, showering her with such warmth she might’ve been outside basking in the sun. “I would like that.”

Moisture rose in Luna’s eyes. “You would?” she squeaked.

“Yes,” he said softly.

Everything but Hudson faded into the background as she searched his handsome face. “Are you sure?” Was this real? Did she dare hope that something good could happen to her?

A warm, open smile overtook his features. “Absolutely.”

Luna’s heart felt light enough to fly. “Okay,” she beamed.

Beverly and Juliette squealed like little girls and began jabbering a mile a minute about wedding plans. Luna hardly heard a word. All she could think about was that Hudson wanted the engagement. A thousand questions ricocheted through her head, the first being What had changed his mind? But that conversation would have to wait until they were alone.

The server returned with the onion rings. Luna gingerly took one from the plate Hudson held out to her, but then