9. Drake
CHAPTER 9
Drake
T he next day I stand in front of the little bookstore and grin when I see her talking to Delia again. The two women are laughing and Alanis is waving her hands around energetically.
I nod at her when she glances up and sees me. She waves and smiles and I cannot look away.
I can’t believe how much I want this woman to be mine. Want to spend the rest of my life with her, taking care of her and raising our happy little family together in this little town.
I wander off and let her have her fun with her friend. Because for now, I need to find our home.
I suppose I could wait and ask her opinion. But I want to surprise the pretty woman with something that she’s never really had. A home of her own.
So I stop in the realtor’s office and chat with a lovely girl named Stella. She shows me some listings and I find just what I want.
“Do you want to go see it? It needs a little work.”
I shake my head. The large front porch, swing and attached land is perfect for a family. And there’s a huge tire swing in front of the house and a white picket fence.
“It’s perfect. I’ll take it. Send out the paperwork and offer an extra 20,000 for a quick close. All cash offer.”
Her mouth falls open and she gasps, “You’re sure?”
I look at the house again. “I’m sure.”
“I’ll get it taken care of.”
I leave the place with a spring in my step. The book signing is tomorrow night and I’m a little nervous to out myself as a romance writer that’s a man but I’m also excited to tell the story. After all, just like any other hero in a romance, I’ve got my own backstory.
I open the bookstore door and see that this time my girl is alone.
“Hey, Drake! I’m sorry I chased you off earlier. Delia is still so excited about this new book group.” She shoots me a sly look. “We’re doing one of your books first. Although she doesn’t know who you are yet.”
“Well, the cat will be out of the bag tomorrow.”
Her brow creases over those stunning green eyes. “Are you sure that you want to do this? I mean, it could be bad for your business.”
“Anyone that really loves my stories won’t drop me just because I’m a guy.”
“I agree but sometimes people are silly.”
“Then I’ll be sad to lose them as fans but I respect their decision.”
I nod towards some chairs in a reading nook that she has. The place is empty right now.
She sits down and eyes me curiously. But at least she’s not mad.
“So what did you want to talk about?”
“The book signing and us.”
“What about us?”
“I actually came here because I felt like there’s something here. There’s something between us. Something good. Don’t you think?”
Her eyes open wide. “I-I don’t know. I mean, I’m still trying to figure out what’s going on with you being a man.”
“A man who has feelings for you, Alanis. And he came here to see what could come of those feelings.”
“I don’t know what to think, Drake. I like you. I really do. But I don’t know you.”
“You do. I’m the same guy that’s been writing to you for two years. You just thought I was a woman.”
She rolls her pretty eyes. “Give me some time, Drake. And besides that, there’s the matter of distance. You live all the way on the other side of the country.”
“There are ways to work on that. Like I could move here. I write. I can do that anywhere. And I would for the right woman. You.”
She sighs and runs her slender fingers through her hair. “Give me some time.”
“Alright. But what about the book signing. Do you have everything set up for that?”
“Yes. Just show up tomorrow and I’ll make sure that it all runs smooth as silk.”
“Do you want to have dinner tonight?”
Shaking her head, she smiles. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to such a busy life. I’m so tired today. I just want to stay at home with a good book and read.”
“I don’t think that’s boring at all. Especially if it’s one of mine.”
She throws her head back with a peal of laughter that makes me smile like an idiot.
“Of course it will be.”
“Alright. I’ll let you get away with it this time. But I’ll look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
“As will I, Drake. As will I.”
“Do you remember when you wrote me about the book signing that your editor wanted you to do? And she tried to trick you into it?”
“Of course I do,” I snort. “I had a huge fight with her.”
“How does she feel about this?”
I stand up and smirk at her. “I didn’t tell her. This one’s personal to me.”
I hold out my hand and she settles her tiny hand in mine. I lift her hand to my lips and smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Absolutely,” she says breathlessly.”
And I have to be content with that. She needs time. But tomorrow, I have something to say. And I hope that it proves to her how much I want to be hers. And make her mine.