Chapter 2 #3
And then it was my turn. “For me, it’s about authenticity,” I said.
“I want my readers to feel like they’re in the room experiencing everything the characters are experiencing.
So I focus on the sensations, sounds, smells, and the way it feels when someone touches you in just the right way.
I want my readers to be turned on, but I also want them to feel seen, like their desires are valid. ”
The crowd clapped, and Tasmine nodded. “And Case, what about you?”
Case leaned back in his chair, that confident smirk on his face as he held his microphone.
“I write what I know and what I experienced in life. I write what I learned from the women I been wit’.
‘Cause if you don’t know how to please a woman in real life, you damn sure can’t write about it convincingly on the page. ”
The crowd laughed and clapped and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.
I knew exactly what he was talking about.
I’d experienced it firsthand. Tasmine asked a few more questions about the industry, about representation, about the challenges of writing in this genre.
Then, she opened it up for audience questions.
A woman in the front row, seated next to Shamari, raised her hand, and Tanessa called on her.
Sapphire approached her, holding the microphone for her to speak into. “Hi, my name’s Leigh, and I’m a huge fan of all of you. My question is for Roe and Case.”
I felt my stomach drop because I just knew where this was going.
She continued, “I’ve read both of your work, and I feel like your writing styles complement each other so well. Roe, your work is so emotional and intimate, and Case, your work is so raw and intense. Have you two ever considered doing a collaboration? Like a co-written book or a series?”
The room went quiet and I could feel everyone’s eyes on us.
Case looked at me, as the tension crackled between us.
He spoke first, his voice smooth and confident.
“That’s a good question. I actually been a fan of Roe’s work for a minute now.
I think she’s one of the best in the game.
And yeah, I’d be down to collab if the opportunity presented itself.
I think we could definitely create magic together. ”
He looked at me when he said that last part, and I knew he wasn’t just talking about writing.
I cleared my throat and tried to keep my voice steady.
“Yeah, um… I think a collab could be really interesting. Case’s work is incredible, and I think our styles would blend well.
It’d be about finding the right story and creating the right characters with the right chemistry. ”
The word chemistry hung in the air. I could see people in the audience exchanging looks, as if they could feel the tension and energy between us. Another hand went up and Tasmine called on a man in the back.
“Yeah, I just want to say that the chemistry between you two is obvious even from up here. Like, I’d buy that book in a heartbeat! So, when can we expect it?”
The crowd laughed and clapped and I felt my face getting hot.
Case chuckled and leaned forward. “Chill. We just met this weekend, y’all. But who knows? Maybe by the end of this weekend, we’ll be locked in.” He looked at me again, licking his lips and I could see the challenge in his eyes.
“We’ll see," I said, smiling. “I’m not making any promises but… I’m open to exploring it.”
More questions came, but they kept circling back to the idea of Case and me working together. People wanted to know what the book would be about, what the dynamic would be, and if it’d be from dual POVs.
Tasmine finally had to move on to other topics, but the energy in the room had shifted with everyone’s excitement.
When the panel ended, we all stood up and the crowd gave us a standing ovation.
Shamari gave me a tongue-out, rolling-hips type of motion as she pointed at Case.
I ignored her, but then he walked over to me as we were leaving the stage.
“That was lit,” he said.
“Yeah. It was.”
“They really want us to write a book together.”
“I know.”
“Maybe we should give the people what they want.”
I looked at him and saw the seriousness behind the playfulness.
He wasn’t just talking about a book. He was talking about what was happening between us.
“Maybe,” I said. He smiled and walked off the stage, and I watched him go.
My heart was racing, my mind was spinning, and I didn’t know what the hell I was doing anymore.
Backstage, Monisa and Shamari were waiting for me. “That panel was electric,” Monisa said. “The chemistry between you and Case was insane! Everyone in that room could feel it.”
“I know,” I said. “It was really intense.”
“Intense is an understatement,” Shamari said, grinning. “Girl, the way he was looking at you? The way you were looking at him? I thought y’all were about to fuck right there on stage.”
“Shamari!” I said, laughing.
“I’m just saying the sexual tension was off the charts. And now everyone’s talking about a collab. Monisa, you need to make that happen.”
Monisa smiled. “If Roe’s interested, I can definitely reach out to Case’s team and see if we can set something up. It’d be a huge deal. Both of your fan bases would go crazy.”
“Let me think about it,” I said. “I need to process everything first.”
“Of course. But just know that the opportunity’s there if you want it.”
We talked for a few more minutes, and then Monisa left to network with other industry professionals.
Shamari and I headed back to the hotel room, and I felt exhausted.
The keynote, the panel, the questions and the tension with Case was all too much.
When we got back to the room, I kicked off my heels and collapsed on the bed.
“I need food and a nap," I said.
“Girl, you need more than a nap. You need a vacation after this weekend.”
I laughed. “You’re not wrong.”
Shamari went to take a shower, and I just lay there staring at the ceiling. My phone buzzed, and I looked at it. It was a DM from Case.
I smiled as I typed back, telling him I’ll let him know. I put my phone down and closed my eyes. I was about to drift off when my phone rang. I looked at the screen and saw Regis’s name.