Ooooh, yes…
I spun round. Thank goodness it was Lorenzo. ‘You came!’ he said, flashing his giant grin.
‘Of course!’ I said, mirroring his warm smile.
He kissed me slowly on the lips, and just like the first time, I had major butterflies.
I stared into his eyes, as I reflected on how I was feeling right now, right here in this moment.
I didn’t know how this trip to his home in Italy would go, how we’d get on, whether I’d like it there or if it was somewhere I felt I could live happily. I didn’t know which direction I’d decide to go in terms of my career or whether I’d continue to work once the baby was born. Hell, I didn’t even know if this child was his and whether we would survive the many challenges that lay ahead of us.
But what I did know was that I loved Lorenzo. I was filled with positivity, determination and hope and I was willing to take a chance to find out.
Like my dear Albert said, life is short and we must enjoy.
And come what may, I had every intention of living my life with Lorenzo and our baby to the absolute fullest.
THE END
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A Message From Olivia
Yay! You made it to the end of my book! I hope you enjoyed reading about Sophia’s journey as much as I loved writing it.
If you can, I’d really appreciate it if you could spare a moment to write an honest review on Amazon, Goodreads or anywhere else that readers visit.
When it comes to trying new authors, readers like to see reviews. It makes them more likely to take a chance on me. So, if you’d like to enjoy more of my books in the future (and make my day!), please do share your thoughts.
It doesn’t have to be a long review (unless you’d like it to be!). Every review – even if it’s just a sentence – would make a huge difference.
Thanks again for choosing to buy The Middle-Aged Virgin. It really means the world to me.
And if you'd like to say hi, please email me at [email protected] or connect on social media @ospringauthor. I'd love to hear from you!
Olivia x
Acknowledgments
Wow: my very own acknowledgements page! Not only do I have a published book, which is a pinch me is it real moment in itself, now I also have an opportunity to say thank you to the people that helped make this possible.
Merci beaucoup, A.A. for giving me the inspiration and drive to write this book. You will live forever in my heart.
Mum, thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm at every stage of this process, for reading multiple versions of my manuscript and for feeding me when I was too immersed in my writing to cook (but as you know, I’m never too busy to eat!). You’re amazing!
To my dear friends Cams and Jas as well as my darling niece, thanks for the constant encouragement, always checking in on me, taking a massive interest in my progress with this novel-writing journey and reading over various drafts. You rock.
Dad, thanks for your love and guidance. You’ve never doubted me, and to know that you’re always ready to help or offer your words of wisdom means the world.
DWT, you have always believed in me. Thanks for listening and for providing your thoughts and support from the very beginning. I am truly grateful.
Bro, thanks for your positivity, awesomeness, and tech expertise.
Thanks, sis and sis-in-law, for giving feedback.
To my developmental editor, Laura Kingsley: thanks for challenging me. I will be forever grateful for your direct, yet often humorous feedback (...smile). It was invaluable. I’m sorry that you didn’t get to see the finished result. I’ll miss you.
To my copy-editor, Eliza, proofreader, Donna, cover designer, Rachel, and web designer, Dawn: thanks for your eagle eyes and expertise, which helped me showcase my novel to the world, and make it what it is today.
Grazie, Antonio “Lello” Favuzzi, for giving me a fascinating insight into what life is like for a busy chef.
Nene, thanks for the laughs and chats throughout this new life era of ours. Look how much we’ve evolved!
My two amigos! So glad I met you both. I treasure our messages and friendship—long may it continue.
Clare—HUGE thanks for your generous advice and for encouraging me to pursue this path—you were so right!
Shout out to Mark Dawson, James Blatch, Joanna Penn and Iain Rob Wright for creating such invaluable podcasts, and also to everyone at the London Indie Authors Alliance and ALLi. My journey as a debut author was so much easier thanks to you all.
And last but by no means least, thanks to you, dear reader, for spending your hard-earned cash on my book. As cheesy as it may sound, you have helped to make my childhood dream of becoming a published author come true. Thank you so very, very much.
I’m feeling quite emotional now and could probably go on, but I guess I’d better get back to my desk. This second book isn’t going to write itself!
Olivia x
About the Author
Olivia Spring lives in London, England. When she's not making regular trips to Italy to indulge in pasta, pizza and gelato, she can be found at her desk, keenly pursuing her new career as an author whilst consuming large bowls of her mum's delicious apple crumble and custard.
The Middle-Aged Virgin: A Chick Lit, Romantic Comedy Novel: Newly Single And Seeking Spine-Tingles... Page 39
