Page 145 of One More Chapter

despite the endless night above us,

telling me it was okay to jump the fence.

fifty-six

penelope

Thirty-thousand feet upin the air gives a lot of perspective.

We’re only flying to New York, and yet, high above the clouds at the start of spring break, I can see everything from up here.

The last time I was up this high, I was nursing a concrete mixer of emotions over my first public appearance. Now, Ant is by my side, wearing a homemade T-shirt that reads “PJ Layne’s Biggest Fan” that I’m almost certain he had Juliet make with her Cricut machine.

The last time I was up here, I wasn’t certain about what my path looked like up ahead. Two days ago at work, I announced that I wouldn’t be returning to the classroom in the fall. It surprised me how many of my colleagues congratulated me or told me that they had read my work before and loved it. Most surprising was Phyllis, who was already planning to host a book club forHills and Valleys.

Last time, I had my crew by my side. This time, they’re all spending their spring breaks with their families, and I couldn’t be happier for them. Aaron and Lucy are honeymooning in Hawaii—but at Disney’s hotel. Sam and Juliet are taking Masonto tour colleges. Claire and Nathan are looking at wedding venues.

The last time I was up in the clouds, I thought I needed stability from others. The book in the hands of an unsuspecting passenger three rows ahead with my name branded on the cover reminds me that I’ve always been able to hold myself up. Still, having Anthony by my side reminds me that I don’t everhaveto do things alone.

“Are you going to tell her?” he whispers, his lips against my ear making my skin sizzle.

“She’s just getting to the good part. I’ll catch her on the way out,” I say, noting the chapter number that she just reached.

Ant yawns, reminding me of the early hour.

“Close your eyes for a little while,” I say softly, squeezing his thigh. “We’re not going to get much sleep this week.”

The tour schedule is hectic. Five cities in five days. All with multiple signings. Some with red eye flights. Others, we’re taking a van. And Ant has vowed to spend his entire spring break by my side. He blinks at me sleepily and slips his hand beneath mine.

“Wake me up before we land. I want to be awake for all of the exciting stuff.”

“You mean a bunch of people clapping because the plane landed safely?” I ask, lifting a brow.

“No, smartass. Author PJ Layne touching down for the first city of her first book tour.”

I beam. At his unwavering support and enthusiasm. Mostly at the love that shines behind his exhaustion.

“And you’re going to wear that shirt the entire time, aren’t you?”

“I had Juliet make me multiples,” he nods. “I have another that says ‘PJ Layne’s Smut Inspo,' but that one is for after hours."

He waggles his brows, and I shoot him an eye roll as he tips his hat over his eyes and knocks out. True to his word, Anthony is my camera man, documenting the entire trip, starting as I surprise the reader on the plane. He has to buy a storage plan for his phone halfway through my first signing.

As my line dies down, I see a familiar face at the end. I wait until she approaches the table with my newest in hand to stand and hug her.

“Debbie! What are you doing here?!” I cry.

“I wouldn’t miss my girl’s first book tour,” she exclaims.

Something aboutmy girlcoming from her reminds me that I have all the people I need surrounding me. It also makes me wonder how long her son has been keeping this secret. I sign her book, and then invite her to join Ant, the team, and me for dinner.

“You know, I can still ground that son of mine for how he ripped your heart apart,” she teases while we’re seated in a quaint Italian restaurant, while Ant and Rafe are at the bar watching preseason baseball.

“You already read it?” My face flushes.

“In damn near one sitting.”

“God, I hope you skipped over the saucy bits.”

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