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“You put my books beside first edition Hemingways?”

She laughs. “My darling girl, of course I did. Why do you sound so surprised?”

I turn to face her. “Are you mad I didn’t tell you?”

She crosses the room and stands before me, her small, cold hand taking mine. “Mad? No. It’s not easy being a Fritz, Keegan, as you well know. We have large reputations to uphold, but when I discovered your pen name, I felt sad you believed you had to hide such an important piece of yourself, not only from me but from the world.”

“That wasn’t only because I’m a Fritz. That came from other places as well.”

She frowns. “Happiness and living our best lives on our own terms is the best revenge to anyone who ever tried to steal our light for themselves. You’re doing that now, and I’m so proud of you. And you’ve found a partner who not only supports you but wants you to shine. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for my grandchildren.”

I give her a hug. “Thank you, Grandma. For everything. You truly are the most amazing person I know.”

A light tap on the doorframe pulls us apart. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Loomis has a look on his face. A smile he doesn’t often get. He likes being with my family, and it warms myheart that they’ve taken him in as his—even my dad, despite his grumblings.

“You’re not,” my grandmother assures him. “I was just about to have Keegan sign my books. Then she’s all yours.”

“I’ve never done that,” I admit. “I’ve never signed books for someone.”

My grandmother beams. “Then I’m honored I get to be your first. But we all know I won’t be the last.”

Six monthslater

My hand scribblesacross the inside cover, writing my pen name, which is annoyingly long for how many times I’ve written it today. I should have come up with something shorter than Victoria Nightshade. Then again, I had no clue I’d be here when I first started.

“Thank you so much!” Shaina, one of the readers who waited in line to see me, effuses. “This is my absolute favorite of all your books so far. I’m just loving this new series.”

That shit never gets old or fails to make me smile like a kindergartner. “Thank you! That means so much to me.”

I stand to hand her the book and give her a hug. We snap a selfie, and she heads on her way. Thankfully, Shaina was the last because I am exhausted. Happy. Glowing. But exhausted. This was my sixth signing in as many days, and right now, all I want is to go back to my hotel, have a glass of wine, some food, and call my boys.

Loomis leaves for Colorado at the end of the month, and between his schedule and this book tour, I feel like I’ve barelygotten to see him. It doesn’t help that everything with us has been going a mile a minute.

The police ended up arresting Tommy Hardgrave on a slew of charges, including child endangerment. That came after more evidence from his phone and computer were “leaked” to the press, but that included a bunch of notes and thoughts on how to make Loomis look like a negligent father, which would ruin his career. Well, those things included ways poor Fen would get hurt and make it look like Loomis’s fault.

Evidently, Tommy’s hatred for Loomis goes back a long way to the beginning of both their careers. Tommy had been passed over on seven films for Loomis, including several that Loomis starred in with Tinsley that set box office records. I think it’s clear Tommy was ready to do anything to get rid of Loomis, but it’s terrifying to think of the lengths he was willing to go to do that.

Tommy ended up agreeing to a plea deal because the evidence was just too great against him. He’s never allowed within a hundred feet of Loomis, Fen, or me and has been staying in LA, not doing a whole lot.

I moved in with Loomis a few weeks after he closed on the place and after his mom went back to London. I didn’t want to intrude on her time with them, though I certainly got to know her very well and absolutely love her. Loomis did hire a manny for Fen, and so far, it’s working out nicely with all of our schedules. My hand and wrist healed, I finished my residency, and I am now a board-certified obstetrician.

My publisher has also released the first book in my new series with plans for the release of the second in three months. It’s been a whirlwind, and I’m excited to go home next week from this book tour and get my butt back in the hospital. It’s not easy juggling both, but so far, it’s been incredible, and I haven’t burned out yet.

The hotel room door closes behind me with a heavy click, and I collapse on the bed. Room service has already been ordered, and I close my eyes, absorbing the silence, when the hotel room phone rings.

“Ugh. What?” I groan, rolling over and crawling my way toward the phone. “Hello?”

“Dr. Fritz, this is Caroline from the front desk. I’m so sorry to bother you, but we have a package here that requires your signature.”

“My signature?” I ask incredulously. “I’m not expecting anything.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry, but it’s on the slip, and they won’t allow us to do that for you.”

Ugh! “Okay. I’ll be right down.”

Reluctantly I slip back into my heels and off the bed, dragging my sorry ass out of the room, down the hall, and back onto the freaking elevator. I sag against the wall, yawning loudly, and when the doors part in the lobby, I force myself up and back toward the reception area. And of course, there’s a massive line.

It takes me forever to reach the desk, and when I do, they make me wait another five minutes to find the delivery guy with my package, which is a bottle of champagne. Nice, but why they couldn’t sign for it, I have no idea. There isn’t even a name attached to the gift. At least it’s chilled. I can pop this and drink it in my room.