It’s Thursday and Ryan is headed to East Texas.
“I’ll be home by six,” he says as he fills his travel mug with coffee. He’s dressed in jeans and a tee since he doesn’t have to act like he’s headed to his local office.
“And I’ll be here.” I move in close, wrapping my arms around him.
He buries his face in my neck and peppers me with kisses. “Want me to pick up some steaks on the way home?”
“Hmmm, that sounds good. There’s a ton of squash and zucchini we need to eat so we can grill those too. The neighbors run from me now.”
Ryan laughs. “That’s what happens when half of the backyard is a garden and we have to palm veggies off on everyone.” One more kiss and then he mumbles against my lips, “Try to be a good girl while I’m gone.”
Laughing, I say, “I’ll try but I make no promises.”
He leaves and I watch him drive away until he’s out of sight.
I top off my coffee and head to the small home office I created for myself out of one of the guest bedrooms. It takes a few minutes to settle in and get everything powered on. Devon created this space, and we take every precaution.
I place the call on the secured line and Amy picks up on the first ring. “Morning,” she says, although she still sounds half asleep. She kept her same first name but now goes by the last name of Porter as well. I guess I wasn’t the only one looking for a connection with someone else.
“Morning,” I say back, as I log on to the King Harvest fans message board. The alert box pops up, showing there are new messages, while the first few bars of the chorus of “Dancing in the Moonlight” plays over my computer speakers.
“Two new messages,” I tell her.
I hear Amy yawn and then she says, “Open them up and let’s see what they’re looking for, Miss Smith.”
It’s my favorite part of the morning.
Acknowledgments
Writing this book brought about a lot of changes: I moved from the young adult market into the adult market and started fresh with a new agent and publisher. And the experience has been nothing short of amazing!
First, a huge thank-you to my agent, Sarah Landis. From our very first conversation, your enthusiasm and love for First Lie Wins has been unmatched. I gained not only a fierce advocate for this book but also a new friend. I’m so thankful for your guidance and support.
Thanks to everyone at Sterling Lord Literistic, especially Szilvia Molnar and the foreign rights team. I’m thrilled First Lie Wins will be published around the world!
To my film agents, Dana Spector and Berni Barta, thank you for believing in this book and finding an incredible team to adapt it. Y’all are the best!
There is something magical that happens when a book finds the perfect home. Pamela Dorman, Jeramie Orton, Marie Michels, and Sherise Hobbs—y’all are the dream team of editors and I’m so grateful to have your expertise and support! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to helping shape First Lie Wins into what it is today. And thank you to everyone at Viking/Pamela Dorman Books and Headline, including Diandra Alvarado, Matthew Boezi, Jane Cavolina, Chelsea Cohen, Tricia Conley, Tess Espinoza, Cassandra Mueller, Brian Tart, Andrea Schulz, Kate Stark, Rebecca Marsh, Mary Stone, Christine Choi, Molly Fessenden, Jason Ramirez, Lynn Buckley, and Claire Vaccaro. I know there are so many people behind the scenes and I appreciate all of you.
To Megan Miranda and Elle Cosimano, thank you for being the absolute best critique partners and friends a girl could ask for. I can’t imagine doing this without you.
I’m so fortunate to have so many people cheering me on. To my husband, Dean, and our sons, Miller, Ross, and Archer, thank you for being my biggest supporters. I love y’all so much and am so thankful for you every day. Thank you, Mom and Joey and the rest of my family, for always being so proud of me. Thank you to my friends who are always there for me. And a special thank-you to Aimee Ballard, Christy Poole, and Pam Dethloff, who made sure my hair, clothes, and background were always perfect for every video I’ve had to film. It takes a village!
Last but certainly not least—thank you to my readers! Whether this is the first book of mine you’ve ever read or if you’ve followed along with me from the beginning, I appreciate each and every one of you!
About the Author
Ashley Elston worked for many years as a wedding photographer before turning her hand to writing. She lives in Louisiana with her husband and three sons. Elston has written six young adult novels; First Lie Wins is her adult debut.