Dreamland(89)

“Yeah?”

“We love what we love, right?”

I grinned, relieved that she didn’t seem to have changed in the slightest.

“Right,” I said. “But I still can’t believe you showed up like this. You’ve got so much going on.”

“And you don’t?”

“It’s different.”

“Everyone is busy, because life is busy for everyone. I also came here to tell you something.”

“What’s that?”

“Do you remember that big speech you made on our last day together? You know, when you were pretty much trying to end things between us while doing your best to sound all noble?”

Though I wouldn’t have described it that way, I nodded, still unable to stop smiling.

“I’ve been thinking about that a lot, and I’ve now come to the conclusion that you were a hundred percent wrong about pretty much all of it.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Like I told you then, I was angry. I wouldn’t have expected a nice guy like you to be such a heartbreaker. But I’m finally over it, and I decided to give you another chance. So, from now on, we’re going to try it my way.” She fixed me with a stern gaze. “The long-distance thing, I mean. Where I visit you and you visit me, and in between we text and call and FaceTime each other because, as of now, we’re a couple again.”

As soon as she said the words, I knew they were exactly what I’d wanted to hear.

“How long can you stay?”

“Only a couple of days, but I have some free time next month. That’ll be your turn to visit me.”

My mind flashed to Paige and my aunt, but I suddenly knew with certainty that I would somehow make it work.

“Yes, ma’am,” I said.

“Now tell me that you love me. You stopped texting that to me a few weeks ago, and I didn’t like that, either. But I’ve decided I’ll forgive you for that, too.”

“I love you, Morgan,” I said, the words coming easily.

Rising to her toes, she kissed me, her lips as soft as I remembered.

“I love you, too,” she whispered. “Let’s make the most of these next couple of days, shall we?”

The turn of events was so dizzying that it was difficult for me to grasp what was happening.

“What did you have in mind?”

She surveyed the surroundings, then settled her eyes on me. “You know what I’d like to do first? Before anything else?”

“I haven’t the slightest idea.”

“I’d really love to meet your sister.”

“Paige?”

“I want to get the real scoop on what you were like as a kid. I’ll bet she has some interesting stories. I also want to tell her thank you.”

“Why?”

“You told me she raised you, and I love who you turned out to be. Why wouldn’t I thank her?”

It was my turn to kiss her then, if only because I knew she really, truly understood me. When I pulled back, I allowed my hand to linger on her hip.

“Let’s go up to the house,” I said, taking her hand. “I’m sure Paige would love to meet you, too.”





   FOR ABBY KOONS, ANDREA MAI, AND EMILY SWEET





Like so many people around the world, I have spent the last couple of years in relative isolation due to Covid. And as for so many others, the period of enforced distancing caused me to reflect deeply on the nature of my relationships. Some of those relationships atrophied in this era of crisis; others flourished and grew deeper. Remarkably, some fresh new connections emerged, as well, mirroring the shifts in priorities and desire for change that millions of people experienced during the Great Pause.

One enduring relationship has remained and, if anything, grown even deeper during these recent years: my friendship and collaboration with my longtime literary agent and producing partner, Theresa Park. T, at twenty-seven years and counting, our close partnership stands as one of the most important and constant in my life. Together with the leaders of my first-class team at Park & Fine—to whom I’ve dedicated this novel—you’ve helped me sustain a career that has defied even my own expectations. But even more meaningful has been the decades-long journey that we have shared as friends and fellow travelers on the road of life.

Among the new relationships that I embarked on during the pandemic is my professional affiliation with Penguin Random House. I am immensely grateful to Madeline McIntosh for midwifing my introduction to the PRH family, and to Gina Centrello for making such extraordinary efforts to ensure that I was comfortable in every way. Kara Welsh and Kim Hovey, it’s been a pleasure to get to know you—and I now understand how your division runs with such professionalism, efficiency, and grace. Your long experience and relentless pursuit of excellence are surely responsible for your unparalleled roster of bestsellers, and yet your leadership style always feels deeply humane. To Jennifer Hershey, whose meticulous oversight of every detail of this book’s publication ranged from the broadest strategic initiative to the tiniest quibble in page proofs, I wish to convey deepest thanks and genuine admiration.

To Jaci Updike and her unparalleled sales team, you have my heart and soul (remember that I always will be a sales rep at heart!). It is an honor to have my books sold by such outstanding professionals.