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Back Common Ground Save as PDF
Chapters (107)
  1. Glossary
  2. One
  3. Josh
  4. Two
  5. Delaney
  6. Three
  7. Delaney
  8. Four
  9. Delaney
  10. Five
  11. Josh
  12. Six
  13. Delaney
  14. Seven
  15. Josh
  16. Eight
  17. Delaney
  18. Nine
  19. Josh
  20. Ten
  21. Delaney
  22. Eleven
  23. Josh
  24. Twelve
  25. Delaney
  26. Thirteen
  27. Delaney
  28. Fourteen
  29. Delaney
  30. Fifteen
  31. Josh
  32. Sixteen
  33. Josh
  34. Seventeen
  35. Delaney
  36. Eighteen
  37. Delaney
  38. Nineteen
  39. Josh
  40. Twenty
  41. Delaney
  42. Twenty-One
  43. Delaney
  44. Twenty-Two
  45. Delaney
  46. Twenty-Three
  47. Delaney
  48. Twenty-Four
  49. Josh
  50. Twenty-Five
  51. Josh
  52. Twenty-Six
  53. Delaney
  54. Twenty-Seven
  55. Delaney
  56. Twenty-Eight
  57. Josh
  58. Twenty-Nine
  59. Delaney
  60. Thirty
  61. Delaney
  62. Thirty-One
  63. Delaney
  64. Thirty-Two
  65. Delaney
  66. Thirty-Three
  67. Josh
  68. Thirty-Four
  69. Delaney
  70. Thirty-Five
  71. Josh
  72. Thirty-Six
  73. Delaney
  74. Thirty-Seven
  75. Josh
  76. Thirty-Eight
  77. Delaney
  78. Thirty-Nine
  79. Josh
  80. Forty
  81. Delaney
  82. Forty-One
  83. Delaney
  84. Forty-Two
  85. Delaney
  86. Forty-Three
  87. Josh
  88. Forty-Four
  89. Delaney
  90. Forty-Five
  91. Delaney
  92. Forty-Six
  93. Delaney
  94. Forty-Seven
  95. Delaney
  96. Forty-Eight
  97. Josh
  98. Forty-Nine
  99. Delaney
  100. Fifty
  101. Delaney
  102. Fifty-One
  103. Delaney
  104. Epilogue
  105. Delaney
  106. Also by Wendy Smith
  107. About the Author

“I guess I should let you go and get some sleep. I love you.”

“Love you too. Goodnight, Josh.”

“Still wish you were here. Goodnight.”

When we terminate the call, I look at the clock by the bed. It’s only nine-thirty, so I scroll to Pania in my contacts and press call.

“Yo.”

I laugh. Even that short word tells me she’s eating. She’s probably in bed watching TV and stuffing her face like me.

“If I wanted to go away for two weeks, would you come and stay here to look after Amelia?”

“You know I would.” Her words are muffled. “Why?”

“Josh just asked me to spend a fortnight in Hawaii with him.”

“I hope you said yes.” I hear her swallow. “You’re insane if you didn’t.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to dump you in it.”

She laughs. “My best friend’s Hollywood boyfriend has just asked her to spend two sex weeks in Hawaii, and you think I’m not going to bend over backwards to make it work for you? You’d do the same for me.”

“You’re the best.”

“Don’t you forget it.”

“I promise I’ll find you your own Hollywood boyfriend.”

She lets out a dramatic sigh. “Oh, Delaney, that’s what I’m counting on.”

Thirty-One

Delaney

“Excuse me.”

The very tall man in the aisle seat looks me over. “Yes?”

“Could I squeeze past you? That’s my seat.” I point past him to the middle seat in the row. The thought of having to bug this guy if I need to use the toilet while we’re flying tightens my chest.

In the diner, I can handle social situations—I know my customers. But I’m not a fan of being surrounded by people, and that’s how this feels.

I hated flying economy to the US last time, and although the flight to Hawaii isn’t as long, the thought of being sandwiched between two guys is not exactly awe-inspiring.

All I want is a bit more space and a comfortable seat.

At least at the other end of this flight, Josh’ll be waiting and it’ll be worth it.

The man in the aisle seat eyes me and lets out a loud sigh as if I’m asking for the moon. Slowly, he stands and steps out to let me in. He grunts as I make my way past.

“Thank you.”

There’s no acknowledgement as he sits back down.

I tug off my jacket and tuck it into the seat pocket in front of me. Sitting down, I buckle my seatbelt, lean back, and close my eyes.

This brings back memories. I was a nervous eighteen-year-old last time I flew long-distance, and I’ve been through so much since then. But I thought I could conquer the world, and I travelled alone for nine months before I met Josh.