Chapter 2
Landon
There was no place I’d rather be than right by her side.
I was so proud of my wife’s accomplishments and was her biggest fan. The ladies in our group might try to compete for that title, but I wasn’t giving it up. I had read all of the books and thought she was talented as hell.
While I wasn’t letting anyone else take my number one fan spot away from me, I was letting Brinley be her PA at the signing. Brin not only edited for Alley, but she also ran a bookstore. She knew a lot about the books personally, as well as about the process, and adored all things book-related.
But I wouldn’t be far away all day, and she was all mine for the evening.
We pulled up to the curb to unload. People were streaming in through the doors, lugging boxes, bins, and wagons full of stuff. I thought my wife was insane with the amount of shit she’d packed up to take with her, but now I could see that she wasn’t the only one who went a bit nuts.
It was a nice June day, so Alley insisted on driving her truck and just putting everything in the back.
She had a cover on it, so it was protected anyway.
Everyone was watching to see who might emerge from the vehicle because we looked like we should be at a monster truck rally instead of a book signing.
That was my girl for you.
Alley was proud of her rig and loved driving it. The truck fit her perfectly, too. It was strong, sleek, head-turning, and a beauty—just like her.
My wife jumped from the truck and came around to my side, where I was taking Noelle out of the backseat. Our daughter insisted on arriving with her mom, but Jurnee’s parents would be taking her and the other three kids home after they dropped off the donations.
Our friends’ children were scattered at different households for the day and into the evening when we had dinner.
Some were with their grandparents, others with River’s older kids, a few with Gramps, and then there were some with designated babysitters that we all used and trusted.
It was nice to have the network because nobody was going to miss supporting Alley.
All the ladies and men would show up when the VIP part of the event started early, not wanting to miss a thing with our girl, but Jurnee and Braxton were right behind us with the other three kids to bring the donations.
Speaking of…
Embry waved wildly as she, her brother Hudson, and Dexter walked alongside her parents, heading our way. Dex was Summer and Gyth’s son, and according to Embry, her future husband. Everyone got a chuckle out of that—well, everyone except her father and Dexter.
Noelle waved back excitedly, adoring her cousins. It was kind of funny how life worked out. I was married to my best friend Braxton’s sister, and my sister was married to one of our other good friends. We were interconnected both by blood and, as my wife liked to say, by the heart.
All four kids were jumping up and down as they reached one another.
“I can’t wait to see their faces when we bring in this load,” Embry said.
It was quite the accomplishment. She and the kids had gathered so many donations, and they were all as proud as could be. As they talked, Braxton helped me start getting all of Alley’s things out of the bed of the truck.
“Did my sister bring her whole office?” Braxton asked as we set multiple bins, a few boxes, and our bags for our overnight stay by the curb next to the truck.
I chuckled as my wife yelled from up by the front passenger seat, where she was gathering her purse and other things. “I heard that, big brother!”
“Of course she did,” he muttered. “My sister has bionic ears.”
Just then, a stream of voices could be heard from down the block, and I looked up to see the whole gang. I should have known we wouldn’t keep them away until ten when the signing started; they were as eager as me to watch my wife do her thing.
Alley turned to the huge group that walked right toward us with purpose.
“We have arrived!” Gemma called out.
Brinley squealed, “I’m so excited!”
All the other women started gabbing at once, and other attendees heading into the hotel turned once again to look, many gazes going wide with surprise.
My wife looked over at me with a smirk. “Told you that you all were going to steal the show.”
I shook my head. “This show is all yours, baby.”
But when the guys in our group began asking other authors if they needed help with their stuff, I couldn’t help chuckling at the swooning—as Alley called it—that was going on.
“We should have left them at home,” Teal teased.
“This always happens,” Summer added.
Gyth was picking up one of Alley’s bins. “What always happens, Sunshine?”
Kace nailed him on the back of his head with a flat palm. “Dude, pay attention. She’s talking about the ladies admiring the view.”
“Hey, the only admiration I care about is from my wife.” He shot Summer a wink.
Summer blew him an air kiss. “Good answer, Big Guy.”
Teal smacked her husband’s belly, and Kace let out an oof. “You could learn a thing or two from your friend,” she joked.
Everyone started laughing.
It was never a dull moment when we were all together.
“Okay, everyone, playtime is over!” Alley called out. When she clapped her hands together, demanding everyone's attention, and got it, I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face.
God, my woman was hot.
And she was a force to be reckoned with.