Before You

She cleared her throat. “I came for a vacation.” She paused, her teeth returning to her lip. “And somehow I ran into this charming man again.”

“How about you, signore?” the waiter asked.

I continued to stare into Billie’s fiery green gaze. One I’d been thinking about nonstop since the moment I took a seat next to her on the plane. I hadn’t known then that I would have these feelings or that I would follow her across the world. But as I looked at her, it all made sense, every decision … because each one had brought me here.

I nodded toward the beautiful girl in front of me. “I came to tell this one how much I still love her.”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Jovana Shirley, like I say every time—and I mean this with my whole heart—I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone but you. Thank you for always working with me and my last-minute changes and for your endless support. Love you.

Nina Grinstead, I love you more than anything. You’re the most amazing publicist and friend, and I can’t thank you enough for being on this journey with me. We are in this until the end. Team B.

Hang Le, my unicorn, thank you for being the most amazing human in the world. You are just incredible in every way.

Judy Zweifel, as always, thank you for being so wonderful to work with and for taking such good care of my words.