I didn’t think this would happen. I really didn’t. But after the fundraising gala, several TV stations, some magazines, and radio stations started spreading my story. I feel a little uncomfortable being the center of so much attention, but it’s useful for the organization. We’ve never gotten so many donations. Not just Free at Last—other similar organizations are reporting record numbers, too. And not only that. Tons of people have offered their help. Volunteers who are just normal, everyday people, but also celebrities who have finally realized how important the subject still is.

I’m thrilled about the attention we’re getting, but not so much about the attention I’m getting. And Carter hates it, even though it doesn’t really affect him since he’s been spending so much time in New York.

And the worst part about that is: I’ve stopped caring.

“Carey!” I call through the house.

“I’m coming!” he yells back, hurrying down the stairs half dressed. “What?”

“Can you zip up my dress?”

“Seriously? That’s why you’re yelling like the house is on fire?”

I shrug. “It worked. You came.”

He zips me up. “Is it really okay if I don’t come today?”

I turn around and look up at him. The giant baby. “It is really okay if you don’t come today.”

“I don’t want you to think I’m not with you on this.”

I put my hand on his arm. “I would never think that.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

He smiles before planting a kiss on my cheek. “I love you, doll.”

“I know. I love you, too. You should get going, or you’ll be late for the game.” Carey has tickets to a football game with his friend Jerry, so it’s understandable that he doesn’t want to join me for yet another charity event.

And honestly, he has been there for me so much, has matured so much over the last few months, I can hardly recognize the fifteen-year-old boy I met two years ago. He’s turned into a young man. A young man who makes me proud.

I take a cab to San Diego Woman’s Club, where today’s fundraiser is taking place. I’ve gotten used to standing on stage, and it makes me less nervous than it did a few months ago. But while I’m giving my speech tonight, I feel lonely. Nobody is there to support me. No Carter, no Carey, no…Hunter. Even my colleagues couldn’t make it tonight. And that makes me feel very, very small.

Even I notice my speech is not as inspiring as usual. I can’t really get the crowd involved. This should have been a big night, but I think it’s going to be a flop.

Suddenly, at the edge of the stage, somebody snaps their fingers. The sound is loud inside this huge hall. It distracts me, and even though I don’t mean to, I look over to see where it came from. My breath stops for a moment. My heart starts fluttering—it’s just because I’m so nervous to be on stage, that’s all…

But Hunter’s gala uniform is an impressive sight. He looks tall, with his broad shoulders, and he’s amazingly beautiful. There’s no trace of the boy he once was. I can see a strength, a power that wasn’t there before. His face is still beautiful, but it’s gained something masculine, something more angular that makes him look incredibly hot.

And then he smiles. Just for me.

He makes a movement with his hand like he wants to shoo me away, and for a moment I don’t get it—until I realize I’m standing on a stage, giving a speech, and I’ve just gone silent for probably a minute.

But Hunter is like an apparition before my very eyes.

Tearing my gaze away, I turn back to the audience and continue my speech, not quite sure where I left off. But this time, my speech is completely different. Where it was flat and dull before, it is now buzzing with passion. Where I was unconvincing before, I am all the more convincing now.

He came. He came for me. Are those butterflies? No. Impossible. I mean, I love Carter…

Right?

I finish my speech to a standing ovation and turn toward Hunter to see pride and respect, admiration, and adoration in his eyes. He claps loudest of all, and my smile is only for him.

“Thank you,” my lips silently say.

He gives me a brief nod. I look straight ahead, smiling into the cameras, eager to see Hunter, to put my arms around him, to thank him for being there for me when we’ve hardly been in touch.

But when I finally get off that stage, I can’t find him anywhere. He’s gone.

After looking around, I come to the obvious conclusion that he left, and even though it’s ridiculous, it breaks my heart.