I smiled down at my plate. Seeing Alexis be excited for me staying was giving me the courage I needed for whatever happened next—all of it would require making scary changes, canceling contracts, even disappointing some people. But I could sense the reward waiting for me on the other side of authenticity, a reward that looked like the people sitting around me now.

And maybe, if I was really, really lucky, I’d get to be with Dean.

“I’m feeling hopeful too,” I said. “Also a little nervous because I made a movie for you.”

Dad’s eyes lit up. “Aw, Tab, you didn’t have to do that. We’re just happy to see ya one more night before you go.”

I shook my head, unable to stop the happy smile from spreading across my face. “Dad. I’m not going. I’m moving back home.”

There was a charged pause, and then half the room shouted “What?” all at the same time. I started laughing, and Alexis clapped her hands together.

“It’s last minute—and even more impulsive than my usual very impulsive decision-making—but I’ve decided I’d like to move back home, to be here with all of you. It’s going to mean an awkward phone call to the hotel I was going to do work for in Austin, plus getting a place to stay and finding new clients.” And confessing my love to Dean. “I want to be here, though, with all of you. Desperately. These past two weeks…” I swallowed a few times, and my dad wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “Being with all of you has essentially made it impossible for me to leave. You’re too fucking charming.”

I slapped my hand over my mouth and stared at Juliet, who appeared to be enthralled by her coloring book. Eric covered her ears with a smirk.

“It’s fine,” he whispered. “She hears worse when we walk to the Acme. Also, I’m so fucking happy you’re staying, Tab. Juliet misses you all of the time.”

My dad cleared his throat with eyes as watery as mine. “I wasn’t going to say anything because you know that Kathleen and I would still talk to you every day even if your next job was on the moon. You seem different here than when we call you when you’re traveling. I was never sure what it was. Now that you’ve been home, I don’t know. You’re still happy but also more relaxed. Comfortable.”

I would have replied, Because I’m not pretending as much, but Kathleen was squeezing me in a hug and patting my hair. “There were times we’d get off the phone with you, in some new, beautiful location, and I thought you sounded lonely.”