The Layover

Chapter 1
 
I don t know what city I m in. The alarm on my phone is blaring the Rocky song, lighting up the room just enough for me to see the shadowed outlines of walls and corners. I blink, trying to orient myself. There s no strip of hallway light coming from under the door. The sheets are silky, not worn-down cotton slept on by millions of bodies. They re probably not even white. This can t be a hotel.
Someone groans beside me, and my stomach sinks with realization. I m at home, where I promised not to use my Rocky alarm anymore. Alexander says it gets into his dreams. I grab for the phone, but it s 3:30 in the morning too early for coordination. It crashes to the floor, an electronic trumpet encouraging me to jab at the air with curled fists. Staying beneath the covers, I dip my head over the side of the bed and silence the noise before easing myself back up.
I should go, but instead I peek across the king-sized bed toward Alexander. I just want to see his face, to make sure I haven t managed to annoy him before I leave for three days. But the blackout curtains make it impossible. I can t even spot his outline through the darkness.
With a sigh, I slip my legs toward the edge of the bed. The chilled air outside the duvet hits one foot, and I steel myself for full-body contact with the icy conditions Alexander requires to sleep. An arm shoots around my waist, dragging me into a cocoon of hot skin and muscles. I exhale my relief and melt into him.
I m sorry about Rocky, I whisper.
It s okay. Alexander s voice is husky with sleep. He presses a kiss against my bare shoulder. In my dream, I ducked at exactly the right moment. Then I came back up with a right hook that sent the other guy flying. Knocked him clean out.
Of course you did. A smile tugs at my mouth. Even in his dreams, Alexander triumphs. Some people might call this arrogance, but I recognize it as the confidence it is. There s a reason the other lawyers at his firm refer to him as

Lacie Waldon is a writer with her head in the clouds--literally. A flight attendant based in Washington, D.C., Waldon spends her days writing from the jump seat and searching the world for new stories. The Layover is her debut novel.

[A] breezy enemies-to-lovers romp with just enough heart to keep it grounded. . . The couple s sparkling chemistry and flirtatious fighting make this sing. Readers craving an armchair getaway need look no further. Publishers Weekly

"[A] tale of learning to let go of the past to be open to whatever s ahead. Library Journal

[A] tropical, fun and flirty summer read ideal for a beach day. USA Today

"Once I started The Layover, I couldn't put it down! Lacie Waldon has written a super fun, witty, and romantic enemies-to-lovers rom-com that had me flying through the pages. And as a bonus, I loved the peek behind the curtain into the lives of flight attendants. This is a lovely escape full of sun, swoons, and sexual tension. Kerry Winfrey, author of Waiting for Tom Hanks

"A highly recommended read for fans of enemies-to-lovers and anyone who feels the pull of wanderlust. Sarah Hogle, author of You Deserve Each Other

A stand-out debut! Witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and perfect pacing had me flying through The Layover. A must read for rom-com fans! Samantha Young, author of Fight or Flight
 
The Layover is an ideal escape from the intriguing insider s view of air travel to the picturesque setting on the shores of Belize, I was swept away on Ava s journey as she spars with Jack, wrestles her feelings, and learns to trust her own heart. A fun and irresistible romance that soars. Libby Hubscher, author of Meet Me in Paradise

A sexy, dazzling debut, The Layover is a jet fuel-powered rom-com that had me dreaming of sun-soaked beaches and a view from 35,000 feet. Plus the delicious, slow-burning romance, sizzling banter, and crackling chemistry? Swoon. If you re an enemies-to-lovers fan or have even a speck of wanderlust in your heart The Layover is the romantic escape for you! Angie Hockman, author of Shipped

A breath of fresh air! Lacie Waldon's exceptional debut combines sharp, clever writing with crackling sexual tension for pure