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“How’s her dad doing?” Steven asked in a low voice.

“Good. He’s good. Recovering, but good.”

“That’s good. How’s Elena?”

“She’s good, too. This week has been a lot for her.” Skylar laughed. “It’s been a lot for both of us.”

“I bet. At least you only have a couple more shows, and then things should calm down for you two.”

“Maybe, except we have no idea what’s going to happen after the tour. We haven’t really discussed that yet. We want to be together, obviously, but Elena’s life is in California, and mine is in the Cove. We’ll have to figure that out.”

“You will,” he said firmly. “That’s what you do when you’re in love.”

Something about the way his eyes twinkled told Skylar his comment wasn’t just about her and Elena.

“Dad?” She arched an eyebrow at him. “Are you seeing someone?”

His smile was the only confirmation Skylar needed. She playfully smacked his shoulder.

“Why didn’t you tell me?!”

“You’ve had a lot going on, and I didn’t know if it was serious.”

“But it’s serious now?” Skylar wasn’t sure how to feel about that. It was yet another thing she’d have to figure out. “Are you going to tell me who she is?”

Elena rejoined them with her mother and asked, “Who are we talking about?”

“My father is apparently dating someone and didn’t tell me.”

“Ohhhh,” Elena and Adele echoed in unison.

“Listen, I’ll tell you all about her later, but right now, I want to focus on you two and the show. I can’t wait to see it. I’ve read all the reviews, and people love it. They love you two!”

“I’ve read the stories too.” Adele’s voice held less excitement than Steven’s, but at least it wasn’t condescending. “I’m happy for you both and everything you have accomplished.”

Skylar slipped an arm around Elena’s back.

“Thanks, Mom.”

“We raised some pretty good kids, didn’t we?” Steven smiled as he bumped his shoulder against Adele’s. She was clearly caught off guard by the gesture, but she recovered quickly and nodded.

“We did indeed.”

Skylar felt herself blush under their parents’ praises. She glanced at Elena and smiled.

“We should probably get ready for the show.”

“Yeah, we will catch up with you all later.”

Waving goodbye to their parents, Elena and Skylar made their way onto the tour bus, with Atlas trotting along between them. Skylar had only one thought on her mind as she closed the door behind her and blurted out, “I don’t want this to end after the tour.”

“It better not.”

“I’m serious, Ellie.

“I am too, Sky.” Elena walked over to her and placed her hands on her shoulders. “I love you. I made the mistake of letting you go once, and I never intend to do that again. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“I want that too. But how are we going to do this? You’ll go back to California after the tour, and I’ll go back to the Cove.”