“Thanks. It’s been a crazy morning, okay?”
They smirk. “What kind of crazy?”
My blush gives me away.
Korie bumps me. “Hell yeah! That’s what I like to hear. Is Sophie here yet?”
“She’s with Seth and Declan saving us seats.”
“Perfect.”
We find them easily, Sophie waving us down from the front row. Declan has an arm slung around Seth’s shoulders, who looks just this side of feral trying to wrangle a green “TheDivided Sky” hat back from Piper. It makes me laugh. I love these people so much it almost hurts.
Two years ago, I didn’t know any of them. And now? Now they’re mine. All of them. By some miracle, I fit into the group perfectly, and Sophie does too. She and Korie have really hit it off, becoming close friends.
It’s been a good year. No—scratch that. It’s been anamazingone. San Diego feels like home in ways I did not expect. The hospital is huge and chaotic, but it’s also rewarding, and working with Korie makes every day a little brighter. Jordan and I have our rhythm now, our late-night grocery runs and 2 a.m. brainstorm sessions on the couch, followed by snuggle time or movies. Mondays are the best, since Jordan and I are both off. It’s fun being included in Family Day now too. It makes the pain of missing home almost unnoticeable.
We’ve even got a plan for the future. In another month, when my contract is up, we’re packing up the motorhome and hitting the road. Five years, forty-four cities, and with any luck, only a few septic tank disasters. I’ll continue with my short-term travel nurse contracts, and Jordan will continue his copy writing and remote work for Declan while writing his next bestseller. We’ll see the sights, make some memories, and make love as often as we want.
After the next five years, we’ll come back and call San Diego home. Officially.
Jordan has mentioned kids a few times, and it’s surprising how much I want that. But first, I want to be married. Call me old-fashioned, but it’s just the way I’ve always seen it. Dating, married, kids.
So until then, kids are on the “someday” list.
Sophie squirms in her seat as she talks to Korie and Holden, who sit on the other side. I turn in my seat to look around, wanting to take this all in so I can describe it to Jordan later.
And that’s when I see them.
My parents.
They’re standing near the back of the seating area, looking a little lost but incredibly happy. Mom is in her “nice” sweater—the silver and purple one she only saves for family get-togethers. Dad is adjusting his glasses, looking just as overwhelmed as I feel. I get that from him.
“What are they doing here?” I whisper to no one.
Sophie turns. “Who?”
I can barely bring myself to point. “Them,” I say, as if she should know who they are. She’s never met my parents.
“Is that your family?”
“Yeah. My parents. But they rarely travel.” It makes no sense that they would be here, especially when Jordan is doing signings in Chicago and Ann Arbor later this year. Those are much closer to home. Why would they come to Southern California?
“You think something’s wrong?”
I shake my head, slowly. “They would’ve told me. Plus, they’re smiling.”
“Maybe they just wanted to come to his first ever signing?”
“Yeah. Maybe.” Dad is one of Jordan’s biggest fans, and he even helps Jordan with beta reads now. Constantly promoting him on Facebook. But wouldn’t they have told me if they were planning to be here?
Before I can fully process it, the lights dim and Jordan appears at the mic.
He looks radiant. Not polished or perfect, but just wholly him in a plain, crisp green button-down shirt with his hair braided. He’s wearing his signature leather necklace too. I still don’t know the significance of the necklace, but I don’t think it has one either. He just likes it.
“Hi,” he says into the mic, voice steady. “I’m Jordan Sanchez, and apparently… alotof you bought my book, which I still don’t understand, but thank you.”
Laughter ripples through the crowd. My heart thuds.
