Here Comes My Man (Hopelessly Bromantic Duet 2)

EPILOGUE

THE LUCKIEST GUY IN THE WORLD

Jude

To say I’m on the edge of my seat on Oscar night would be an understatement. I tug on the cuffs of my tux—fiddle with the cufflinks.

Shifting closer, TJ presses a hand on mine, calming my nerves.

Mostly.

As the presenter at the Dolby Theatre reads off names for the best actor nominees, my boyfriend threads his fingers through mine.

Squeezes.

His reassurance settles my pulse more. Still, this is one of the biggest moments of my career, and I am wired.

“And the Academy Award for best actor goes to . . .” The presenter pauses, smiles, then finishes, “Sebastian Lowe.”

For a few seconds, I’m disappointed. I wanted to win. I wanted to give the speech Helen urged me to write.

But I’m okay. I’m more than okay as TJ leans in, presses a kiss onto my cheek.

And I clap for my fellow actor.

It’s fitting, in a way, Sebastian getting this honor since I got something that was meant for him.

So, I cheer harder. I’m truly thrilled for him, but more for the things he’s trying to do than for what he accomplished tonight. A week ago, the captivating actor reached out to me privately. He said he wanted to talk to me about being out in Hollywood. What it means. How to navigate it.

TJ and I will have coffee with him tomorrow.

I didn’t come to Hollywood for that reason, but if my presence here makes someone else’s choices easier, then I’m grateful.

I’m grateful for so very much—this life, this love, these chances.

I have this man by my side.

As Sebastian gives his acceptance speech, I squeeze TJ’s hand tighter.

Later that night, in our hotel room, I sit him down on the edge of the bed and read the speech I had written.

“I’d like to thank the Academy,” I say, then I roll through the details of the film, locking eyes with TJ for the final lines. “Most of all, I want to thank the love of my life. He once told me I was his reason. He’s mine too. He believed in me from the very start, and that has made all the difference. I love you, TJ Hardman.”

He answers by ripping my shirt off me.

Some dreams do come true.

***

TJ

Sebastian Lowe is a cool dude, smart and curious. Kind and engaging.

But also a little frustrated with himself.

“I feel like I’m so late to the game,” he quietly says where we sit in the back corner of a coffee shop, off the beaten path. “I mean, I only recently figured out my sexuality.”

He sounds like he’s this close to beating himself up. “There’s no timetable for this,” I say. People figure out their stuff at different times.”

“Just be glad you did,” Jude says.

The handsome Oscar winner sighs thoughtfully. “Thanks. It’s a lot to think about. But I think I’m ready,” Sebastian says. “It feels like it’s finally time.”

“Good. That’s very good,” Jude says.

We finish our chat and clean up our cups. “Good luck, man. We’re here for anything,” I tell him as we leave the coffee shop.

“Thanks. I appreciate it. You guys are . . .” He smiles softly, a touch of hope on his face. “Goals.”

I like that. I’m glad we can be goals just by being who we are.

Jude and I leave, then head to our lunch with Robert. “Listen, I need you to behave yourself when you see the rice, okay?” I tell him as we walk to my favorite sushi joint.

“I have excellent self-control,” he says, with a haughty raise of his chin.

“Not when it comes to rice,” I point out.

“Then just get sashimi, for the love of all things holy. Stop tempting me with your carbs and your perfect body that consumes carbs,” he says, practically begging.

“But I love rolls, baby, and you love my carb-loving body,” I say.

“I do love your unfairly perfect body that enjoys bagels and bread and pizza. But just do it for me. Get the sashimi,” he pleads.

“I made Liam British and now I have to get sashimi too?”

Jude stops, plants his hands on my shoulders. “I have to tell you something.”

I arch a brow, curious but not worried. “What is it?”

“You say you made Liam British like that was some big change,” he says, fiddling with my collar. “But sweetheart, Liam was always supposed to be British.”

“Fine. I’ll order sashimi,” I grumble.

Then he plays with my hair. “But thank you for doing that with Liam. I’m so bloody excited to be working on your movie.”

Webflix has two speeds—zero and one hundred.

Before I could open my mouth and pitch Webflix on Jude as Liam, Robert asked me if I was comfortable with them offering the role to my boyfriend.

Easiest answer ever. A big, resounding yes.

Sebastian Lowe is off the project, and Jude is on. He got his marquee queer rom-com after all.

Jude and Christian start shooting in three months, once the final episode of Unfinished Business is in the can.

My boyfriend is busy with work, and I’m so proud of him.

But I’m busy too. I’m halfway done with my novel about a fake romance with an ex. The best part? My readers want it. Turns out, they didn’t cancel me when they learned I’d faked a romance.

The opposite.

Most of them left hearts and emoticons all over our coming out video.

I guess sometimes life is a little like a love story.

Or really, a lot.