“Well, you’ll have to wait and see, I guess.”

At first I dreaded what was on this board, and now it’s something I look forward to. Wes isn’t the only one who puts our plans there. Sometimes it’s Olivia, sometimes Charlie, and sometimes I call ahead and have Nonna write something there for me.

But there is always something on the board on Friday night, and unless someone is out of town, like I will be next weekend, we’re all together for whatever is written there.

But before the date, it’s always Family Dinner.

And just like clockwork, everyone starts filing through the back door.

Olivia and I set the table while Charlie chases down Aunt Kelsey’s daughters, trying to get them in their high chairs. Nonna has enough food for an army, and Uncle Ronnie side-eyes the plate of cannoli like they’re plotting against him.

It’s chaotic and wonderful and I love every minute of it.

“Hey,” Wes says from behind me.

I spin around, then we’re closing the distance between us. It’s a pretty PG greeting, since my entire family is in the room, but he still manages to squeeze me tight and press a few kisses along the side of my neck.

“You’re early,” I say.

“I couldn’t wait,” he answers.

Yeah, we waited a long time to get here. But, as I lean in to press my lips against his once more, I decide it was totally worth it.

Acknowledgments

As always, thank you tomy agent, Sarah Davies, for your continued support. This book surprised us both!

A huge thank-you to my editors, Laura Schreiber and Hannah Allaman. I really appreciate all of the love and support you give me. I’m lucky to have you! And to the fantastic team at Hyperion: Dina Sherman, Melissa Lee, Holly Nagel, Elke Villa, Danielle DiMartino, Guy Cunningham, Mary Claire Cruz, and Jamie Alloy. Thank you all so much for your hard work.

To Elle Cosimano and Megan Miranda, thank you for being the absolute best critique partners a girl could ask for. Love you both.

To Dr. Stephanie Sockrider, thank you for answering all of my questions about what would and could happen to Margot and the baby. Any and all mistakes made and liberties taken are fully on me.

To my family: I know you are all trying to guess who is who in this book, but just know you are all Charlies and Olivias to me. I had the best childhood and some of my favorite memories are portrayed in this book, especially Christmas morning. Could Mamma drink her coffee any slower?! I’m so lucky to be related to all of you.

About the Author

ASHLEY ELSTON is the author of several novels, including The Rules for Disappearing (a finalist in the Best Young Adult Novel category of the International Thriller Writers Thriller Awards), This Is Our Story, and The Lying Woods. She has a liberal arts degree from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and worked for many years as a wedding photographer before turning her hand to writing. Ashley lives in Shreveport with her husband and three sons. For more information about Ashley and her books, please visit www.ashleyelston.com.