One Chance

Chapter 25 Part 1

The week after the release of the book is completely insane. The book is doing really well in terms of sales and the reviews are mostly positive. On top of that we are in the process of renovating the bakery, which means every spare time I am helping my parents. Work is as usual but since a colleague quit the extra work is also on me but I really don't mind it. 

Throughout this entire week, I have only spoken to Toby many a handfuls of times. We keep missing each other's calls and our texts have been limited to a few per day. But everything else has been keeping me occupied enough to not ponder on it longer. I know once I do get some free time it'll bother me or at least that what I am telling myself as I am driving into town. 

I reach Toby's house and walk in with my spare key. As I call his name there's no answer. I check around the house but he's nowhere to be seen. As I am about to call him, I find a note on the kitchen table with food which says ," Hey love had to rush back to work for an emergency, I made some food, heat it before you eat, will come back late at night. Get some rest. I love you , I am so happy you are here ."

I sigh and put the letter back down. I really wish I could see him right now but there's nothing I can do. I quickly send him a text ," Hey love, I'm home and I got your note. I hope things are getting sorted at work. Can't wait to see you soon. I miss you. I'll wait for you to come back home so don't rush back. Take your time. I love you." 

I eat the food slowly in front of the Tv. After I'm done I wash the dishes and put on a movie and drift off to sleep midway. I wake up after sense someone carrying me. I open my eyes to see Toby carrying me to his bedroom and I give him a quick kiss on the cheek. He smiles at that and he puts me on the bed before lying down beside me. 

" I've missed you " he says, and I close the distance between us and hold him. " I've missed you too" I reply. 

We talk for some time before going to sleep, since both is us are clearly tired. I wake up the next day, and head to the book signing venue with Toby. The venue is a famous bookstore in the city and the area set for the event was filled with my books and a few posters of me with the book.  To my surprise they are a lot more people that I expect, actually the venue is almost full. This makes me a little nervous since I've never really spoken in front of so many people.  The little speech I have clutched in my hand is clearly getting wet since my hands are sweaty from all the nervousness I am feeling. 

As I stop walking to take a deep breathe to calm my nerves, I feel a hand on my shoulder and when I look back it's Toby reassuring me that it'll be okay with a smile. " You've got this. They are all here for you. You can do this." He says before I walk to the front and take a seat. I stare at all the people who are smiling and cheer when I sit down. I look all around and spot Toby who is grinning from ear to ear. As I scan the crowd, I am pleasantly surprised to see Amanda standing at the back but not too far away for me to miss and I get a assuring smile and a wink from her. 

I finally compose myself and take a cue from Ashlyn who is sitting beside me to start speaking. " I would like to start off by saying “Thank you to everyone here. Never in my dreams did I think I would be here, doing this. I am extremely humbled and clearly at a loss for words at all the love I am receiving for my book. I didn't expect it and even now sitting here in front of all of you I still don't completely believe it. But I am very happy to be here and to connect with you and to talk about the book. Thank you all for coming, for reading my book and most importantly for all your supportive words and encouragement. " 

I hear a loud cheer and applause after this, and my body relaxes. 

We do a reading of a few parts of the book and I answer a few questions and we sign all the books that day. It's takes a few hours for the event to get over, but everyone here is super nice and have the best things to say about the book. After it's done, I look out to the crowd and before I move, Amanda comes and gives me a big hug.