Adventures in Online Dating
Page 17
Tears streamed down her face, but she wasn’t about to dash them away. She blew her eldest a kiss instead, still clinging desperately to the hand on her left.
“And if she’s my rock, I can’t forget to mention my roll.” Instead of another sigh, this time Brendan laughed. “He’s the guy who taught me that all the planning in the world can’t prepare you for everything. He taught me to roll with the punches, both literal and figurative. He taught me sometimes the best adventures start as mistakes or jokes or something else you can’t see coming. He taught me to smell the roses, even if someone just fertilized them.” The crowd broke out into quiet laughter, and Alexa squeezed his hand even tighter. A glance to her left showed him grinning like he’d just won the lottery. “Marshall, thank you for being the best stepdad I could have ever asked for, and thank you even more for being my friend.”
At that, a single tear rolled down his cheek, but he raised his fist in the air. Without hesitation, Brendan returned the gesture. As Brendan closed up his speech, Marshall leaned close and whispered, “So, should we tell him? Or wait?”
“Today’s his day. Let him have it. There’s time for more awesome later,” she whispered back as she rested her free hand on her belly. So much for thinking she was done—their crazy adventure was taking an unexpected side trip, and with the way Marshall pressed his hand on top of hers, she knew without question that this time she wouldn’t be doing it alone.
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Acknowledgments
Lies, damned lies, and statistics. In fairness, there are some of all three in this book. Where I could find real statistics for Alexa to share, I used them. (Specifically, I would like to acknowledge this article on casual sex from Contexts by Jessie Ford and Paula England https://contexts.org/blog/hookups-sex-and-relationships-at-college/). So some of the numbers through the book are legit. However, I openly admit that many of them are—like Alexa and Marshall—fictitious, so please forgive any gross inaccuracies. An actuary, I am not. (Much respect though, because…so many numbers.)
Speaking of numbers, books don’t come to fruition only through the work of authors. Many people have their hands and eyes on things before they ever get to readers. And they should receive the appreciation they are due.
Liz Pelletier: Thank you so much for meeting up with me in Atlanta and helping suss out Alexa and Marshall’s story. I don’t know if they’d exist if not for you.
Nicole Resciniti: Thank you for taking me and this project on and for being my champion. I hope my crazy ideas and frantic emails haven’t made you regret the decision. I look forward to many years working together.
Karen Grove: Thank you for taking this book to acquisitions and fighting for it.
Heidi Shoham: Oh editor, my editor. Thank you for seeing the heart of this story and helping me to bring that out more. Alexa and Marshall are stronger for all your work.
To all the other editors, copy editors, proofreaders, formatters, and anyone else who had eyes and input on this book, thank you for all your hard work and dedication.
Tanya Veverka: Thank you for the research help!
@loghaD: Thanks for instructing me in all the various forms of “no” in Klingon.
Kristin Park: Thanks for the reality checks. I haven’t cashed them yet, but I haven’t ignored them either. XO
Danielle Wegner, Sara Lunsford, and M. Andrew Patterson: Thank you for all the nudges, the kicks-in-the-pants, and the unwavering support. Much love, always.
And to my two amazing, awesome nerds. I know it’s not always easy having a mom who does a job like mine. The hours are weird, and I go from being totally available to totally not at the drop of a hat. But the two of you roll with the punches every time and have proven to be the best cheerleaders I could have ever hoped for. You are my heart and soul. Always.
About the Author
Julie Particka was told to get serious about her future in Junior High. Several years after getting a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, she realized being serious was overrated and went back to her first love—writing. Now rather than spending her days in the drudgery of the lab or teaching science to high school students, she disappears into worlds of her own creation where monsters sometimes roam, but true love still conquers all. She can most often be located in the Detroit area with her favorite minions (the ones who know her as Mom) where she is currently hatching a plot for world domination. It involves cookies for everyone, so she’s pretty sure there’s no way it can fail…except the minions keep eating the cookies.
Also by Julie Particka…
Fall with Me
Tempting Her Fake Fiance
Blackmailed by the Hero
Playing the Perfect Boyfriend
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