Page 121 of Book Club Confidential

She swiped away a falling tear, immensely grateful for this exchange. “You did the best you could with what you had. It’s the most any of us can do.”

He nodded. “I never should have put all my energy into one kid when I have two. Thank you for telling me how you feel.”

Her tears fell faster than she could clear them, and she gathered tissues from a box on the stand. “Thank you for hearing me,” she said. “I love you so much. I’m so thankful you’re here.”

“I plan to stay as long as I can,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of lost time to make up for.”

She raised her face to him and smiled through the tears. “Please stop eating cheeseburgers.”

He grinned, his smile going soft around the corners. “More walks and salads, that’s a promise.”

Tessa checked her watch, feeling lighter than she had in a very long time. “I have to get ready for the party now, but I’ll call tomorrow,” she promised. “And if you feel like dancing later, you know where to find me.”

“Wait.” He caught her hand as she stood. “I don’t talk to you about your job enough.”

“What?” She sat once more, confused by the new direction.

“I’m so proud of you. I tell everyone what you do. My little girl, working at a big marketing firm and knowing half the town. Then I change the subject sometimes when you want to tell me about work. It doesn’t make any sense.”

She frowned. “I didn’t know you did that on purpose.” She’d always assumed he just wasn’t interested in marketing.

He sighed and looked briefly away. “Sometimes I feel like I don’t know how to talk to you about your career. I never went to college. I barely graduated high school. I’ve been at the same factory job for thirty years, but you have degrees and a fancy title. That incredible apartment. You live in a whole other world than the one I know. I get anxious, and I change the subject.” He sighed. “I’ve had a lot of time to think recently. That’s been on my mind. From now on, I want to hear every detail you want to tell me. But I might have a few questions to help me keep up.”

“Deal.” Tessa kissed her dad’s cheek, then hurried home to get ready for the party.

Several hours later, the reception venue had been transformed. Tessa’s connections had proven especially helpful in creating the decor. The local shops had contributed an abundance of black and deep-purple items. Kate had painted a massive sign to hang above the buffet tables with the words Vampire Café Truck and an unofficial logo drawn expertly by one of the bridesmaids. The little image contained a truck with the title scripted along its side in purple and a pair of black bat wings rising from the roof. They’d also brought in a photo booth, courtesy of a local photography studio, and acquired a free photographer for the evening from the same shop.

Best of all, every business Tessa contacted hung flyers in their windows and shared news of the event on their social media pages and feeds. And women turned up in droves to support the cause. Grant served as a volunteer host, greeting folks at the door and collecting the small cover charge. Everyone agreed the money would go to repay Mrs. Montgomery for the venue rental, but she’d insisted Hallie use the money to launch her Vampire Café Truck instead.

Tessa had shed more tears than she’d expected when she watched Hallie and her mother embrace. She’d lost two mothers in her lifetime, but she’d gained a brother, and thanks to his unexpected return, she got to keep her dad awhile longer. She was definitely taking food and cake to them at the end of the night.

Women laughed and snapped selfies at photo stations arranged around the room. Some spaces featured a vampire theme with references to the food truck coming soon. Others displayed piles of books with props like faux glasses and the words Main Character Energy Book Club as a backdrop. Friends of the local library even sent boxes of books to arrange on shelves for purchase by donation, and Sam stepped in to oversee and coordinate the caterers, bartenders, and serving staff so Hallie could mingle and enjoy her party. He even arrived with a new romance novel tied in pink satin ribbon and topped with dried flowers for Kate.

As Tessa took in what they’d created, Kate appeared, as if summoned by Tessa’s thoughts. She beamed as she waved to a group of women at a photo station. “Those are all new followers of mine,” she said. “They started Main Character Energy book clubs, and they adore my content. They love it so much and are so enthusiastic and encouraging that I can hardly remember why I cared if the fashion lovers left me.”

Tessa grinned. “I’m glad your people found you,” she said. “After all of this, I know the endorsements will come.”

Kate’s eyes widened. “Two book boxes came in the mail this morning! From publishers who love what I’m doing!”

“Shut up!” Tessa pulled her into a hug. How many times had Kate watched other influencers get book mail and wished it was her. “That’s the dream!”

Kate pulled back with emotion in her eyes. “I know.” She pressed her lips together. “Guess what else?”

Tessa grinned. “What else?”

Kate pointed a finger in Sam’s direction behind the bar. “He wore a blue sweater.”

It took Tessa a moment to make the connection. When the proverbial light bulb flashed, she grinned. “He read your post on the blue sweater theory. Of course he did. He reads all your posts.”

She nodded, biting her lip. “And he likes every one.”

“So he’s smitten,” Tessa said. “A six-foot smitten kitten.” Tessa stole another look in Sam’s direction and found his eyes were on Kate; he looked unabashedly like a man falling head over heels in love. “Congratulations.”

Kate hugged her tight. “Thank you.”

Hallie approached with a tray of delicious-smelling foods. Each small portion sat upon a tiny black paper doily. “They’re real,” she said, wonder evident in her wide hazel eyes. “I made them from my recipes, and people are eating them! Because they are really real.”

Emotion brewed in Tessa’s chest. She longed to hug Hallie but didn’t want to upset the tray. “Your Vampire Café Truck launch is a hit.”