Chapter 3

The brisk air of the balcony was a lovely contrast to the heat of the shower, as I stepped out and sat in my usual chair. I popped open my laptop and pulled up Facebook, only to see that I had dozens of new likes and comments on my post. Half asleep, I scrolled through the comments, occasionally grinning at one, or groaning at a bad joke. Then I saw that Dani had commented on my post herself! I had no idea that she was a member of her own fangroup, and I instantly felt nervous. Had I been too far out there in my post?

Welcome to the group, Sarah, and thank you for reading!

Okay, that was innocuous enough. Generic, almost. Am I disappointed that it wasn’t more personal? I guess that just because I’ve been in her head through her books, it’s pretty unreasonable to expect a first ‘meeting’ to be personal. But still, she replied to me! Even in my disappointment, I’m still fangirling like crazy.

I write a quick comment thanking everyone for their kind words and then sit idly for a few, just thinking. This lady whom I have never met – never even seen – has really gotten under my skin, in the weirdest way. Time to Facebook stalk, obviously. A quick click on her comment gets me to her profile, and my jaw drops. She’s not just an amazing writer, but absolutely gorgeous.

Her profile doesn’t say, but I’d guess she’s around my age, not quite thirty. Her brown hair falls in curls just below her shoulders in a way that mine never, ever has. Rarely has anyone made my head spin like this, just jumping all over the place. First thought: She’s just as beautiful in real life as she was in my mind while reading. Second thought: She’s beautiful, intelligent, a capable writer, and apparently a competent pianist too?! This is not fair.

Browsing her photos, I see her doing signings all over the place. I can see her passion for the fans, and it just makes me like her even more. But on top of it all, I see that she’s from the Denver area, too, and she’s having a release party for her new book in just under a month, right here in town. I have to go, obviously.

Fortunately, Erica is a night-owl like me and was online. I sent her a message immediately:

Me: Dani Collins is having a release party in Denver in a few weeks. We’re going, just FYI.
Erica: Yes yes yes yes. I’m so there. Not that you’re giving me much choice.
Me: I’m glad we see eye to eye on this. Grabbing tickets now and heading to bed. Night!
Erica: Night

A quick trip to the party website later and we had tickets and now I’m just left with impatience. And, unfortunately, a job to do tomorrow. I shut off my displays and went to bed, to curl up against my adorable, very loudly snoring boyfriend and fell asleep nearly immediately. But as I drifted off, Dani’s profile picture popped into my mind one last time.