Chapter Nine
Maria
The last day of the conference is always a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. I normally love it, and I also love packing my bags and heading home. There are some people I only ever get to see at conference, and I miss them, but I love being home. This one is nice in that it’s close to home so I don’t have far to go. I’m also very aware that Mason and I live in the same city. What does that mean? We haven’t talked about it yet.
As I stand in the conference room the area’s buzzing with final negotiations, last-minute pitches, and the hum of anticipation for the book signing, and closing ceremony that’s always a great time. I walk through the crowded halls, chatting with friends and co-workers, and getting last minute items checked off of my list. My focus is singular, though . . . Ruth Cardello.
“I’ve been looking for you for twenty minutes,” Mason says as he approaches with two cups in his hands. He gives me one and I take a grateful sip of the hot coffee he’s gotten just right.
“You’re a savior,” I tell him. “I wasn’t willing to face that long line.”
“There’s nothing I won’t do for you,” he tells me. This might be an exaggeration, but I think he means the words. He’s more than clear about being into me . . . and I really like it. The whole point of us coming together was to hunt down Ruth and make our exes jealous. I haven’t even thought about them past that disastrous work night. I haven’t forgotten about Ruth though.
We’ve run into Bobby, and I’ve barely even noticed him. As soon as he saw me with Mason he cowered away like the wimp he is. It’s been nice not having him in my face, but other than that he’s not even on my radar.
“Are you ready to get an all-star?” Mason asks.
“More than ready. Let’s do this,” I tell him. The two of us make our way to the book signing area where we know Ruth’s setting up. I don’t usually like to interrupt authors when they’re getting ready for a signing as I know how frantic it can be, but this is my last chance, and I need to close this deal. She might be sweet, but I know she’s an incredibly savvy businesswoman. I’ve still got this.
We come into the room, the smell of books heaven to my senses, and the happy chatter great for my soul. I love book signings, love how beautiful the tables look, and how happy the fans are. This is why I do this job, because I’m just as much of a fan as those attending conference to see their favorite authors.
What most fans don’t know is that authors are some of the biggest fans as well. They’re truly excited to see their friends soar. It’s why this world’s so great. Sure, there are some who are jerks, but those are the ones I avoid. If they ever forget they’re nothing without their fans, I don’t want anything to do with them.
We see Ruth at her table with her family at her side. They’re all laughing as they place out beautiful swag and special edition copies of her most popular series. Soon her table will be swarmed with fans so I need to move fast. The signing starts in less than thirty minutes, and the line outside is already curving around the corner.
I clutch my gift bag for her and paste on a confident smile. Mason by my side gives me an extra boost of confidence. “Ruth Cardello, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” I say, making her look up. She’s such a happy woman, and even though she doesn’t know me she smiles with a sparkle in her eyes.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, too,” Ruth easily says, but it’s clear she doesn’t know who I am. That’s okay. I know I need to make a great impression though. I can do this.
“We’ve brought you a gift,” Mason tells Ruth when I get a bit tongue tied. What is wrong with me? Mason takes the bag from me and hands it over.
Ruth accepts the bag and looks inside, her eyes lighting up. “Oh my gosh, this is such a thoughtful gift. Thank you so much,” Ruth says with a genuine smile. She looks over at her husband. “Tony, you must give them a goodie bag. It won’t compete with this one, but hopefully they like it.”
“Sure thing,” Tony says as he goes to a table and grabs two bags.
“I’m Maria Rossi with Seattle Skyline Publishing, and this is Mason Bennett,” I tell her.
Before I can say anything, Tony looks up with a huge smile and an excited twinkle in his eyes. “Wait? The Mason Bennett?”
Mason laughs. “The one and only,” he says with a laugh.
“Damn! I’m a huge fan of yours. I was just listening to your podcast this morning. You were excellent on the field, but I love the show even more, and the work you do with youth is incredible,” Tony says, holding out his hand to shake.
“I appreciate it,” Mason says. “I have an extra jersey here if you’d like it.”
“Only if it’s signed,” Tony says, visibly happy. The rumors of him being a football fan are clearly true. It was smart to team up with Mason on this. Just as authors need to be likeable, their spouses need to be included as well. After all, it’s the spouses who inspire the writers, both good and bad. I do love a good book on revenge, and those sometimes come from some epic relationship battles.
“Looks like we’ve lost my husband. He has a one-track mind when the games are on too,” Ruth says with a laugh. It’s more than clear they have a beautiful marriage. It’s very nice to see in a world where there’s far too much fighting and cheating.
“It appears so,” I tell her. Mason and Tony engage in a friendly conversation, talking football and kids. I look at Ruth. “I want to discuss a potential collaboration with you. Our house would love to put together a deal with you and Miles Bennett who’s personally requested to work with you.”
Ruth raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued, but hesitant. “I’ve cut back the last couple of years as I have a teenage daughter, two grown kids, and two grandchildren, and I don’t want to miss a minute of my time with any of them. That means I haven’t done any collaborations lately.”
I don’t let disappointment fill me. This isn’t over. I simply need to convince her. Before I can say something though, Tony turns back to me. “Bennett?”
“Yeah, he’s my annoying twin-brother, but the man can write,” Mason says with a big smile.
Tony’s eyes widen. “If it’s Mason’s brother you have to do it, Ruth,” Tony says. Well, this is great. I’m not needing to do any convincing at all. It appears Mason really is my ace card in this negotiation.
Ruth laughs as she shakes her head. “It appears you’ve convinced my husband,” she says.
“Seriously, Mom, this is cool. You should do it,” her eldest daughter, Alicia, says as she joins the conversation.
“I have to agree,” Victor, her son says.
“I could go either way,” the youngest daughter, Serenity, says.
I laugh. “I like honesty,” I tell the teen who grins at me. It seems the majority of the family are football fans. I find myself holding my breath, something I don’t do too often.
“I guess I’m being ganged up on. How can I say no?” Ruth finally says.
I feel like I’m walking on water. This has been easier than I ever imagined. I guess talking to her with her family here is my other ace in the hole.
“Thank you, Ruth. This is wonderful. I won’t keep you longer because I know you’re about to be hit so I’ll leave this card with you, and when you get home, call me, and we’ll set this up,” I tell her as I hand over a card.
“I won’t let her forget,” Tony says, as he steps in and takes the card, carefully tucking it away. This makes Mason and I both laugh.
“It will be fun,” Ruth says. “I do love a good collaboration. It’s just been a while.”
We say goodbye and walk away. Mason takes my hand and squeezes and I try not to let out my shout of happiness as we exit the signing room. We make it a distance before I practically shout. “We did it!” My heart’s racing with elation.
“Yes, we did,” he agrees, a proud smile resting on his lips. “Time to celebrate.”
We head to the bar, the atmosphere buzzing with endless energy and excitement. This is the last day of the conference and there have been a lot of deals made, and a lot of happy fans getting to be with their favorite authors. Mason immediately orders champagne, and as soon as it’s poured, we toast to our success. It really has been a team effort.
“To new challenges and great beginnings,” he says, clinking his glass against mine.
“Here, here,” I echo before taking a sip.
He sits close, his eyes locked on mine. “You know, Maria, that just because this conference is over doesn’t mean we are,” he tells me, making my heart thud in my chest. I haven’t even admitted to myself this is what I want, but as he says the words I realize it truly is.
“I think we could work out another deal or two,” I tell him with a smile. We’ve made it through the conference without having sex, but if that doesn’t happen soon, I might lose my mind. Now that work is over, it’s more than time to play.
We celebrate for a while before he leaves to help his brother with the signing and I head up to my room, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. I’m thrilled when I find Nikki sitting on the couch. I was hoping she’d be inside. When I left, she’d been deciding whether to attend the signing today or not.
“You’re sure smiling,” Nikki says as I enter, kick off my shoes, then plop down beside her.
“I secured the deal with Ruth Cardello,” I tell her. “We just have to iron it all out now.”
“Yahoo!” she shouts as she throws herself at me and gives me a hug. “This is wonderful.”
“I know. I do have to admit, it’s most likely Mason who got me the deal. Ruth’s husband, Tony, is a huge fan of his, and told his wife she had to do the collaboration with his brother.”
“Hey, it doesn’t matter how the deal is closed, it just matters that you’ve done it. I never had any doubt,” she says. “Sure, it was great to have Mason at your side, who I happen to like a whole hell of a lot, but you’d have figured out a way to do it without him too.”
“That’s why I love you,” I tell her. “You always make me feel so damn good about myself.”
“If besties don’t have each other’s backs, then what good are they?” Nikki says.
“I agree.”
“Now, on to the good stuff. What’s happening with you and Mason now that the conference is practically over?”
I lean back and let out a sigh. “I want to drag that man to my bed and do unholy things to him all night long,” I admit.
She bursts out in laughter. “Then do it. It’s been far too long for you and you’re going to dry up soon if you don’t get your freak on.”
“I go back and forth on if it’s a good idea or not,” I tell her.
“It’s a great idea. Let your hair down, rip your clothes off, and mount that fine ass man,” Nikki insists.
“Do you know how much I love you?” I say through my laughter.
“I know how much you love me. But you need to not think about me, and think about mounting that man,” she says, not allowing me to change the subject.
“What if I get attached? I’ve done some research, and he’s known as an impossible catch. He reels the women in, then throws them back out to sea just as quickly.”
“You aren’t the catch anyone releases,” she assures me. “You’re a halibut, not a tilapia.”
“I don’t know,” I say. “But I think it’s going to happen. I’ll have too many regrets if I don’t see where this leads.”
“Damn right you will,” she agrees.
Before we can dive too much further into it, my phone buzzes with a new message. I pick it up and see Mason’s messaged me. He’s supposed to be helping his brother right now. I have to admit it pleases me that he’s still thinking about me though. I open the message.
Mason: You and Me. Dinner tonight.
Maria: Confident, aren’t you?
Mason: Hopeful. I can’t get enough of you.
My heart soars at these words. I can’t get enough of him either.
“Tell that man yes right now,” Nikki demands, not ashamed to be looking over my shoulder at our messages. I laugh.
Maria: I guess we do still have work to plan.
Mason: I’ll take any reason to be with you. I’ll collect you at seven.
Maria: Sounds like a plan. I do still need to get that interview my boss wants.
I hate that I have to bring this up again, but it’s something I’m supposed to do that neither of us have talked about in the past few days.
Mason: Tit for tat. I’ll give you the interview and I get you for a night of my choosing.
Nikki lets out a whistle as I blush. “Oh, he’s smooth. You better say yes.” I laugh as I begin typing.
Maria: Deal.
I guess I’ll see what’s coming next. There’s one thing for sure, I’m excited about it. This conference might be ending, but it looks like Mason and I are only just beginning.