Chapter 16 #2
biting back some choice words—and took his charge card.
“Enjoy the book,” she said, handing it back to him. Her tone of voice added, “Choke on it.”
“Thanks,” he said, and moved to the end of the line.
Women who’d already gotten their books signed passed him with a glare. Or a sniff, as if he was part skunk. “Hey, I’m here
for the party,” he said.
“You tried to ruin it,” one woman accused. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”
He was.
“Well, what have we here?” Mom teased when he handed her the book to sign.
“Just a new fan. You were good.”
“You weren’t.” She said it with a smile, but it still stung.
“I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight. Really.”
“You didn’t need to be here even if I wasn’t.” She scrawled something in the book and handed it back to him. “I’m glad you
came in from the cold.”
Like a spy? He shook his head and smiled. “Thanks, Mo . . . Genevive.”
“You’re welcome, Parker. I hope you’ll enjoy the book.”
He said nothing to that, just took it and got out of there as fast as he could, making sure to avoid even looking Alice’s direction as he went. He didn’t take in a decent breath until he was back outside. That had been torture. Once in his car, he opened the book to see what his mother had written.
Love always wins, Mom.
How was it she always got the last word? He laughed and tossed the book on the passenger seat. “So you say, Mom.” Much as
he loved his mother, that was where it would stay.
“What was the Lord of Darkness doing here?” Scarlet whispered as she joined Alice, who was helping Bettina ring up sales.
“I can’t believe he’d sabotage his woman’s book signing.”
“He’s not her boyfriend,” Alice said. “He’s not even her friend. He’s her son.”
“Her son!”
Alice looked around nervously. “Keep it down, will you?” They’d had enough drama for the night.
“I can’t believe it,” Scarlet said. “What kind of son would diss his mother and what she writes?”
“A bad one. That’s probably why she doesn’t go around making it public that they’re related. Speaking of bad kids, you better
not go too near Genevive, since she knows you’re the one who posted the picture,” Alice said.
“I wasn’t going to get a book anyway. I just came to support you and Mom. Which is more than Parker Black did for his mother,”
Scarlet added in disgust.
Nola was busy opening books for Genevive to sign when the mountain of a man who had hauled Parker Black into their midst approached.
Jerome Riddle, whose novels graced the end caps of every Barnes & Noble across the country, whose latest releases could be found at every airport.
She’d seen him at a convention or two and then at the gala she’d gone to earlier with the girls, but never had the opportunity to talk with him.
This was the first time he’d been able to attend one of Genevive’s book signings.
It wasn’t the first time Nola had felt her pulse quicken at the sight of that massive male body and heart-stopper smile.
“My brother’s usually off speaking at a conference or on tour when I’m signing so this is a first,” Genevive said, smiling
at him.
“I’m glad you could come,” Nola said to him, and opened another book to the correct page for Genevive to sign. “I enjoyed
your latest novel.”
“Did you now?”
“I’ve enjoyed all your books. I’d hoped to talk with you at the gala but didn’t get a chance. I’m a big fan.”
“I don’t usually find fans in a romance bookstore,” he teased.
“Just because I own a romance bookstore it doesn’t mean I don’t read other genres,” Nola said.
“Same here,” he said. “I’ve read all of my sister’s books.”
Nola smiled at him. “You are a good brother.”
“He is,” put in Genevive.
“I try. How about you ladies let me take you both out for something to eat when you’re done here,” Jerome offered.
“I’m wiped out,” said Genevive. She smiled at Nola. “But I hope Nola will take you up on your offer.”
“It’s a little late for me,” Nola began.
“Let me at least buy you a drink. To make up for my nephew’s behavior earlier.”
As if anything could make up for that. Still, drinks with Jerome Riddle of the massive body and equally big brain. Any woman
would jump at the chance.
It had been years since Nola had jumped at any chance. She was out of practice making small talk with men. Except surely she’d find plenty to talk about with this one. Book lovers never ran out of things to talk about.
“All right. Drinks,” she said. Maybe she could convince him to rein in his out-of-control nephew.
Although her oldest daughter wasn’t behaving much better. Scarlet was going to be mortified once she learned how Parker and
Genevive were related. And she deserved to be. Maybe this would teach her not to be so impetuous.
Forty minutes later Nola and Jerome were ensconced on a couch at the cozy Beveridge Place Pub, wine for her and a lager for
him, talking about books.
Then it got personal. “So how is it that a lovely woman who owns a romance bookstore doesn’t have a man in tow?” he asked.
“He died. It was the worst day of my life.”
“I’m sorry, Nola, and I get it. The day my wife died I felt like my life ended.”
“What did she die of?” Nola asked.
“Cancer. The damned disease.” He downed a hearty gulp of his drink. “But here I am, still breathing. And out with a beautiful
woman, so it would appear I’m living after all,” he added, and smiled at her.
“And writing.”
“Yeah, that, too.”
“And being there for your sister.”
“I try. She’s the best. She raised Parker single-handedly.”
Nola had been wearing a smile for him until he mentioned his notorious nephew. She took it off.
Jerome saw. “I’m sorry about that stunt tonight. I know he’s been putting down romance novels on his show, but that’s just
one segment. His ex did a number on him.”
And he’s been busy doing numbers on other people ever since. “That stunt tonight was in poor taste.”
“It was for publicity for the show, but he shouldn’t have been doing it right in front of your store.”
“It scared away some of my customers,” Nola said. “Are you aware that your nephew made a meme out of my daughter Alice that
went viral and humiliated her?”
His brow furrowed. “I didn’t hear about that.”
“It was hurtful. And what he did tonight was an embarrassment to his mother. I think he owes her an apology. He owes my daughter
one as well.”
Jerome nodded. “You’re right. I’ll work on making sure he makes one.”
“Thank you.” Not that an apology could turn back time, but maybe it would help ease the sting that remained on Alice’s psyche.
And it was the least he could do for his mother after misbehaving. If Nola had a son like Parker Black she’d disown him. It
was hard to see him as the same man who’d escorted Genevive to the gala. She must have bribed him to attend.
“Meanwhile, maybe we can go to lunch,” Jerome suggested.
“Maybe you can get that apology out of your nephew first,” said Nola. She reached for her coat and purse. “I enjoyed talking
with you. Thanks for the drink. And the conversation.”
“Thank you for spending time with me.”
He rose and helped her on with her coat, a small gesture of chivalry that was as common as dinosaurs. It had been too long
since she’d stood so close to that much testosterone. It felt good.
Maybe they would wind up having lunch together, going beyond lunch and having fun. Developing a relationship. Mutual attraction
had sown a seed, but what Jerome Riddle did next would either water it or starve it.