LIBBY

***

I read the whole book in a day. And it was beautiful.

His writing is beyond anything I'd ever read in a book like this before, and the fact he was writing about me, about us and about our lives made it all the more special.

So special that I got a plan in motion.

I had two weeks before my dissertation needed to be in, but then after that I was done with university. So that was the target. Two weeks. And after that I could surprise him at whatever book signing he was in at the time.

Thankfully Jasper had given me his book tour organiser's number in case of emergencies, so I used this opportunity to ring her. And maybe, just maybe, I'd be able to surprise him for once.

***

"Hello?" A groggy voice came over the line when I'd finally found the number.

Crap! It's still early in the US. I'd been forgetting about the time difference. Jasper never minds as soon as he hears it's me, but I'm not so sure how Lori would feel.

"Hey Lori, it's Libby." I say meekly into the phone, hoping she doesn't hang up on me due to how early it was.

"Oh hey." Phew. "How you doing? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's fine. I just... I wanted to surprise Jasper in a couple of weeks and I needed your help."

She giggles, immediately sounding more awake. "I'm down for that. The guy's been downright miserable for weeks. I was actually thinking of cancelling this leg."

"Oh?" I stop and look up. Cancelling?

"Yeah he's not been sleeping properly and he's got mouthy twice at some of the team."

"Ah jeez. Well... in that case, should I bother?" I shake my head. "No! Ignore that... I'm coming. Where is he in two weeks? So I can book my ticket."

"Oh yeah, sure honey. Hang on a sec," she says, and I hear a creaking noise as well as the shuffling of a few papers. "So in two weeks we'll be in... Seattle."

"Seattle!" I'd wanted to go to Seattle when we went travelling but we didn't time. "Oh my god that's perfect. I'll book my ticket. How long is he there for? And then how long does he have left after that?"

She chuckles. "By then he'll have one month left of the tour. His flight to London with all his stuff is July 10th but then he's got to pack and stuff. I think he said it's all in Albany at the moment." That made sense. That's where Jules and Paul are.

This seemed to be working out in our favour for once. My graduation down in Exeter was on July 16th, so if he was flying on the 10th it would mean he would be there for it, which I wasn't sure he would be.

"Okay amazing." I wrote all the details down in my book. "Thank you so much Lori."

"No problem Sweetie. Thank you. Seeing you will be so good for him. He's really struggling."

Struggling? Why hasn't he said anything? Whenever he's spoken to me he's seemed so happy and vibrant, and he hasn't seemed down at all.

"Why didn't he say anything?" I ask, concerned.

"He wants to put on a strong face I suppose. But having you there for the last leg will be good. For all parties."

I wanted to ring him now. But I was worried maybe it would be too early still. I hadn't meant to ring so early for Lori, but even six in the morning for Jasper was pushing it, even if it was me.

"Anyway let me know when you've booked your stuff and I'll get a driver to come and pick you up."

"Okay. Thanks again Lori. I'll leave you to get more sleep. I'm so sorry," I giggle softly and she just chuckles back.

"Night Libby."

She hangs up before I can say anything else.

***

The next day I book my ticket. It was going to be a long flight but at least it was a direct one. I got a good deal with Norwegian Air, and I decided I'd buy cabin stuff while I was out there, so I didn't have to worry about luggage to pack.

In two short weeks I was seeing him. And this time it was me surprising him, not the other way round. He was always so hard to surprise because he always assumes the worst. The number of times I'd tried to surprise him with breakfast in bed, only to have him cook it for me I could count on my toes and fingers. But this time it really was my surprise, and he had no idea.

After I'd booked the flight, Lori told me she'd put it in his organiser as an appointment for another private book signing. But I told her I wanted it to be in the main hall. I wanted everyone to see it. But she'd told me that was just to make sure he doesn't blow off the day. I must admit I giggled at that. That sounded just like something Jasper would do. And I knew he was currently in California so he'd probably gone off to do surfing for the day, leaving Lori to say he was ill or something.

But I had a busy two weeks ahead of me as well. I'd basically finished my dissertation anyway - how realistic wars are portrayed in films - so I handed it in three days early to get back up to London in time for my flight.

Rob, who had now moved in with Dylan, lives not far from Heathrow now. So Mum dropped me off at his house the day before my flight, and he drove me in the morning round to passenger drop off.

"I can't believe you're doing this," he shakes his head as he hands me my carry on bag. I'd packed a few things in there but I was going to buy the bulk when I was out there. "You two are crazy man."

"Why not?" I chuckle. "We love each other Robbie. Are you trying to say you wouldn't want Dylan to surprise you at work every now and again?" My brother was soppy as anything so I know he'd absolutely love it.

"No, I'm not saying that. I'm just saying you've spent more on plane tickets between the two of you than I have in my whole life," he jokes.

I punch his shoulder lightly. "I don't care Robbie. Lori said he's been struggling, so if I can be there and help for the last leg? Well... I'm sure as hell going to."

He furrows his brow but he doesn't get to ask his question because I'm already gone.

***

The airport is really busy for this time on a Thursday. There are queues everywhere waiting for people to check in their luggage and it makes me feel smug about just being able to go straight through to security. I had a couple of hours before I needed to board, so I went straight through, picked up a coffee and waited until my gate was announced.

Taking out Jasper's book, which I'd read upwards of eight times, I sit and wait.

"That's a good book isn't it!" A girl comes up to me. I feel my cheeks blush at how old she is, and I'm worried that she shouldn't really have been reading some of the later chapters.

"Erm, yeah it is." I look down at the tattered pages and smile. "A really good book. What's your favourite bit?" I pat the chair next to me and realise she's older than she looks.

"The bit where he surprises her at Christmas." She giggles and squirms slightly. "That was so romantic."

I wondered whether I should let her in on my secret, that I'm the girl from the book. She seems so excited about it. I'm also wondering if she was on the way to the book signing same as me. I could see she was with a boy - he was watching us intently from the bank of seats across from us - but I obviously had no idea of her plans other than that.

"Can I tell you a secret?" I ask her, deciding to go for it. I'd never be seeing this girl again so I didn't have anything to lose.

She nods.

"The author's my fiancé." Her eyes narrow in confusion. I put a finger to my lips and she nods but her smile fades slightly in disappointment.

"He's engaged?" I nod and her eyes flash up to my engagement ring. "That's really pretty." She takes my hand and pads the stone on it gently.

"Thanks. Yeah, we're getting married in a year or so. But I'm heading over to surprise him."

"To surprise him?" Her voice lights up with glee. "Aw, I love surprises! And it's just like in the book where he keeps surprising her."

I giggle. That's the plan.

"Where are you doing it?" She asks. "Where are you surprising him?"

"At his book signing. I'm headed to Seattle in a couple of hours." She drops her head.

"I wish I was meeting him, but my boyfriend won't let me." She points with her thumb to the boy who was now hanging his head. I wave at him and he gives me a sheepish wave back.

"He seems lovely!" I say to her and she blushes. "Besides, I'd be worried for the competition." She giggles.

"What's he like?" She asks.

"Jasper? He's incredible. You know Will? The boy in the story..." she nods. "Well he's just like that. Kind, caring, a bit shut off to start with, but an incredible man. Who hopefully loves surprises!" I joke.

"That's really nice." She looks up at her boyfriend, who's checking his watch as the tannoy announces a flight. He flicks his head and she nods as she stands. "Well, it was lovely to meet you. Good luck with the surprise."

I smile at her and stand to give her a hug. "Thanks!"

She bounces away and chats merrily, looking back at me once, probably telling her boyfriend who I was. She waves at me one more time before I go back to my book, and with my music in, the time before my flight is called flies by.

***

Flight BA567 to Seattle. Please go to Gate 23 your flight will be boarding shortly.

I check the time, and note that Seattle is nine hours behind. It's 11am now, so it'll be 2am where Jasper is. My plan is to ring him as soon as I land and I'm out of the airport, just to check up on him, to make sure he'll be in the right place. Then, when he's signing I'll join the line and surprise him.

Foolproof plan.

I get to the gate quickly, and manage to be one of the first ones to board. I've chosen a window seat this time, knowing I won't need to pee or anything while we're flying and as soon as the air hostesses have done their safety checks and we've taken off, I'm out like a light.