Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Blair
It was the morning of the literary festival, and I shot Cara a text, trying to be as nice as I could be:
Me: It’s festival day, and where is my publisher?!
Cara: I’m sorry, doll. There was a family emergency. I’m upset that I can’t be there. How are things going? Is Drea still alive?
I looked over to the other side of the room. Drea was getting dressed. She had on a white sports bra and black boxer briefs, and I had to peel my eyes away. Good God!
Me: Yes, still alive. I need to get ready.
Me: Also wtf, Cara… one room?!
Cara: ??
Cara: I’m sorry. I thought it would be good for us to spend more time together, and for you two to try and get along.
Me: ??
Me: Hope everything is okay ??
Things were definitely not okay over here. Drea had invited me out for drinks, but I knew she was only doing it to please Cara. After that silent car ride, it seemed like she wanted nothing to do with me. I didn’t lie, though. Since I’d lost my parents, I rarely drank.
I should have ventured out on my own because I was losing my mind in that room! She was several feet away from me, her half-naked caramel skin glistening from her shower. We used the same hotel body wash, but why did it smell so much better on her? I quickly brushed that thought away.
I had decided to listen to a podcast last night so I wouldn’t have space left in my brain to think about what she was doing in the shower for so long. I tried not to think about what she looked like, all wet and—
“Are you going to keep staring at me, or are you going to get ready?” Drea’s voice shook me from my fantasy.
I scoffed. “I was not staring at you.” I got up and took off for the bathroom. I hoped she couldn’t see the burning on my face.
Ink and Imagination was one of my favorite literary events to attend. It was always set up so beautifully, and they were so warm and welcoming. Drea could learn a thing or two from them.
The event was held every year at the Hidden Library. It wasn’t really hidden, but it was located near the coast of Seattle. It felt as if you were driving to the edge of the world as you drove up the winding road.
The library looked like a medieval castle with its beautiful architecture, surrounded by a blue-green sea. I loved hearing the crashing of the waves against the rocks and the salty scent of the sea.
When we got to the festival, the organizers—an older married couple in their late forties—greeted us. They were the cutest couple, as they seemed to gravitate around each other.
One was a short, plump woman with a salt-and-pepper pixie cut—Margot. The other was a tall, lean woman with flowing brown hair and the biggest blue eyes imaginable—Penny.
They walked us inside and gave us a small tour, pointing out where the panels were going to be held and where the meet and greet would be located.
The auditorium would be used for the panels, showcasing the best-selling sapphic authors around the country. Although this was one of the biggest libraries in the world, they made a safe space for the rest of the arts. It was an honor to be invited.
The room was elegant and full of color. The windows had stained glass, so as the sun rose and moved across, the reflection gave the room a multi-colored hue. The rooms were decorated with an array of flowers and art pieces that looked historic and priceless.
The meet and greet was located in the library gardens. As I stood in the garden with Drea, I could see the astonishment in her eyes as she looked across to see the majestic trees and the full, blooming blood-red roses.
Dozens of little booths were lined up, filling the entire outer edges of the garden. My booth was located near the edge of the garden. If I looked down, I could see the waves crashing into the rocks below.
“The panel will be starting within the hour. Please make yourself comfortable and find me when you are ready,” Margot said with a soft smile on her face.
“Thank you, Margot. You and Penny have been very helpful.”
Margot’s wife beamed as she added, “It’s our pleasure, we are so excited to hear about your story. Please call us over if you need anything at all.”
As the lovely couple walked away, a small stabbing pain shot across my heart. It made me wonder if I would ever find my person, someone who shared the same passions that I did.
Drea broke the silence. “Wow, this place is amazing. In all my time in Seattle, how had I never heard of this place?”
I laughed. “It’s called the Hidden Library for a reason. You can’t just google it. You have to be invited.”
Drea rolled her eyes. “Okay, smart ass, I’m sorry I’m not as cultured as you. Let’s hurry up and find your booth. The faster we get settled, the faster I can walk around to meet other authors. It’s time to drum up some new business.”
My eyes shot to Drea’s. I was about to throw her off the cliff. She was so insufferable. Why did Cara think this would be a good idea?
I kept my mouth shut and walked away. She was not going to ruin this event for me.
During the whole panel, I was so nervous. It wasn’t my first one, but I still didn’t like talking in front of a lot of people. I enjoyed them every time, though. After they were done, I felt better. I felt accomplished.
Every time I looked out into the crowd, my eyes immediately found Drea’s. Her expression was unreadable, but she never took her eyes off me. It made the event all the more nerve-wracking.
They always asked the same questions, and for that I was thankful. Everyone usually stayed on the topic of the books and no one asked personal questions.
But this time, a brave soul decided to ask a question that I wasn’t ready to answer.
Margot, the sweet event attendant, stood and began to speak.
“Ms. Sterling, my wife and I have been married for ten years and we really enjoy your books. I’m sorry to be so frank…
” she said as a blush crept up her cheeks, “but your books have helped bring more spice into our marriage. Tell me, how do you come up with these brilliant ideas? You and your wife must have stories to tell.” She motioned to Drea in the crowd.
The room grew silent as the hundreds of attendees looked from Drea to me and back again.
My soul left my body and my cheeks became stained with a bright-pink blush. “M-Margot… Ms. Voss and I are not married. We are strictly business partners,” I said as I glanced toward Drea, who was clearly trying to contain her laughter.
“I am honored that my stories have helped. It brings me joy that I was able to spread a message about love. I write these stories because it’s something that I craved when I was growing up.
My parents died when I was very young, and these stories helped me escape into a fantasy.
But now I see them as the love that I could potentially show someone,” I replied, trying to hide the trembling in my voice.
I shot a glance over to Drea, and her expression once again became difficult to read.
Why did I care so much about her opinion? It wasn’t like it mattered. Knowing her, I would never hear the end of this.
“I’m so sorry Ms. Sterling. I apologize for the confusion.
You both just look so perfect together. I think I need to get my eyes checked,” Margot said with a bewildered look on her face.
“I’m so sorry to hear about your parents, but I know they must be proud of who you turned out to be.
You turned a terrible memory into something positive for everyone to enjoy. ”
I am not going to cry… I am not going to cry! Come on, Blair, you can talk about your parents!
“Thank you Margot. I… I appreciate your loyalty as a reader and your support,” I said, with tears threatening to escape.
“Now if that’s all the questions that everyone has, I will meet you at my booth to sign my new novel, The Last of the Violet Thorns.”
After the Q&A, everything was a blur. I usually wasn’t so open about my past, but Margot’s question had completely thrown me off guard.
I signed a few books and answered a few other questions from some fans. I even mingled with festival attendees. Other than the actual writing, these events were my favorite part of my job.
The walk back to our room was silent. After the mortifying observation that Margot had made, I had no idea how I was going to face Drea, let alone sleep in the same room as her.
Cara was one of the few people who knew about my parents’ deaths. I felt uneasy sharing that vulnerability in front of Drea.
Even though she was kind enough to let me board first, that elevator ride was pure torture. Of course our floor couldn’t have been ground level or even on the second floor. We had to be on the fifteenth floor.
Being confined in a small, hot space with only Drea and her delicious scent, I was half-tempted to hold my breath the whole way so I didn’t breathe her in.
When we got to our room several excruciatingly long minutes later, I headed straight for the bathroom. I needed some time to clean up and to shake these ridiculous feelings.
I was washing the makeup off my face when I heard Drea just outside. “You did good during the panel, but I’m a little bummed you didn’t trip or anything. I was hoping for some entertainment today.”
I turned off the water and dried my face. “I see you forgot to pack civility for this trip.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m sorry to disappoint you.”
“Apology accepted… Mrs. Voss.” I could hear the roaring of her laughter through the bathroom door.
“Not even in your wildest dreams!” I said through gritted teeth.
I should have pushed her off the cliff when I’d had the chance. But I’d be lying to myself if I said for a second I didn’t think about Margot’s assumption and what being tied to Drea would be like. Then I started thinking about being tied in a different way, and I quickly threw that thought away.