CHAPTER 27: THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING

Inside G Major everyone was waiting to greet them. It did not go unnoticed that she and Tommy had entered hand in hand. Kat's eyebrows had disappeared into her hair and Jaime scowled at first and then it melted into a smile. Jude knew he was glad she was happy. Besides, Jaime had Kat and they were blissfully happy. Her mother and sister gave her big hugs and her sister winked at her, her message clear: girl talk later. Jude's dad was nowhere to be found. Jane and Dani were introduced and there was more hugging and greeting until Georgia called them all to order. She herded everyone into the conference room.

Jude followed a few feet behind, lost in her thoughts. She realized how much she had missed G Major. Over the past three years this place had become a second home to her. While her parents were divorcing she spent more time here than she did at home. She was glad to be back. She just wished it could have been under less stressful circumstances. But then, when had her life ever been less stressful?

She took a seat next to Tommy at head of the table and everyone turned their attention towards her. She took a deep breath. "Right. As you all know, the press found us in New York and has pictures of Tommy and I together."

Georgia nodded and took over. "I've decided that it's up to Tommy and Jude to decide how we proceed from here. It is, after all, their life." She sent a warning look at EJ who was clearly unhappy at the turn of events. No doubt she had all sorts of thoughts on how they could spin this, but Georgia wasn't giving her free reign.

"Tommy and I have a plan, but we're going to need your help to pull it off." Jude looked around the table at her friends and family. They were all smiling encouragingly. She hoped that when they heard her ideas, they would still be as enthusiastic. She leaned forward conspiratorially. "Here's what were going to do…"

Jude looked out before her with a feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. What had she been thinking? Just then she felt a hand wrap itself around hers under the table. She looked up to meet Tommy's eyes and smiled at him. She felt calmer immediately. She could also see Jane and Dani standing off to the side next to Kat and Jaime. She gave them a little smile and a wave. She had friends at her back and Tommy by her side. She took a deep, steadying breath. She could do this. No problem.

Spread out before her was about 50 members of the associated press. They were silent now, but Jude knew in a few moments they would all be screaming. Loudly. At her. Wanting to know every detail about her private life. She was sitting on a dais that raised her up above the rabble. Tommy and Georgia sat on either side of her. They were both nearly as nervous as she was.

Georgia leaned over to whisper, "Are you ready?"

Jude nodded, unable to speak. Suddenly she wasn't sure if this was such a brilliant idea.

Georgia leaned into her microphone. "Before we begin taking questions, Jude would like to make a statement."

The room went silent and Jude felt like everyone could hear her heart slamming in her chest. She cleared her throat. "Recently some pictures were taken of me and my producer, Tom Quincy, in a compromising situation. Here's the deal. Tommy and I have decided to begin a relationship. I truly care about him, as a producer, a friend, and something more." He smiled at her and the rest of the room faded away.

Tommy leaned into his microphone looking calm and collected, like he did this every daybut his eyes were only for her. "I love her. She's everything." He leaned over to capture her lips with his.

Instantaneously, everyone went nuts; they began to shout and shove, trying to get the best angle. "Jude!" "Tommy!" They were completely oblivious as they stared into each other's eyes.

"After this, there's something I need to show you." He whispered into her hair as they posed for pictures in front of the ravenous press.

Jude looked into his eyes, wondering what he was up to now. "Of course."