Chapter 5
Alley
Time had flown by.
One reader after another had continuously come and gone. My husband and friends would check in when they could, and every last one of them, guys included, purchased a book.
“You really have kicked ass today,” Brinley said from beside me.
“I think I might have had an advantage with our whole clan here.” I leaned over and bumped my shoulder against hers. “I want you to know, though, that I couldn’t have done this without you.”
Brin waved her hand at me. “Pfft. Of course you could have.”
“Nah, but if you hadn’t helped me, I would have persuaded you with my collection.”
She laughed and picked up one of the tiny wooden bats that lay on the table. “These swag items rock. I can’t get enough of them and love leaving them on the counter in my bookstore.”
The bats were painted my signature purple color, with my name and website engraved on them.
They also had a small quote that said, I’d go to bat for you.
It had become a thing I’d said in a book, then something Landon and I had said to each other, as well as to our friends—a motto of sorts that surrounded me these days.
“Honestly, girl, I love your books so much, and being here with you is amazing,” she gushed.”Plus, all these cool authors! I’m going to end up with so many new books in my store. It’s fabulous.”
“You’re a sentimental nut,” I teased. “But I adore you.”
I picked up two of the cutest mini cupcakes that were left on the platter on my table.
My friend Capri, who owned a bakery, had made them for my signing.
She even decorated them in my color and put little books on top that were made of sugar, so they were edible too. That woman was an angel in the kitchen.
Holding mine out toward Brinley, I said, “Cheers.”
She tapped the side of hers to mine. “Cheers,” she replied.
We both groaned as we took a bite of the sugary, sweet goodness in our hands.
We’d gotten a few minutes to exchange words, scarf down our treats, and then someone was at the table again. That’s how it had been all day.
I’d met so many readers, authors, and volunteers helping with the event; I’d been lucky to have all my friends there. It was freaking awesome, and filled with so many laughs.
But nothing was as funny as about an hour before the event was over when my girls made a bee-line for my table, their men right on their heels, each woman with a squishy penis in their hand.
“Check out these penises,” Gemma hollered. “They are a freaking trip.”
All the ladies were mushing them in their hands and I was laughing so damn hard I knew my sides would hurt the next day.
“We got you two one,” Teal said, handing one to Brinley and me. “Aren’t they cute?”
“Cute, sure.” My gaze found Landon, and I gave him a wicked smile. “That, however, isn’t a word I’d use to describe my husband’s, which I prefer fondling.”
“Thanks, babe,” he said so casually, my brand of crazy not even phasing him.
Braxton groaned. “Being that you’re my sister and he is one of my best friends, do you think you can try not talking about his…” Looking flustered, he hesitated as he waved an arm around in the air. “His thing, or any of them for that matter?”
I burst out laughing. “His thing? I wouldn’t call it that either.”
Summer raised her hand. “Since Landon is my brother, I’m with Braxton on this one, no matter what you call it.”
“You guys have heard it a million times and should be used to it by now.” I rolled my eyes. “But to be kind, I will try to refrain from any more penis talk until we get to our hotel room. Then it won’t just be talk.”
Brax and Summer both held up their hands in protest, and everyone started laughing, even the other authors around us.
Our group was like a stand-up comedy show most of the time.
“Alley is right,” Patience said, looking at her sister-in-law, Ruby. “You shouldn’t be the least bit surprised anymore when it comes to our overactive sharing, even with the family members we have in the mix.”
She reached over and swiped a cupcake off the plate on the table. “Just like we should never be surprised at how freaking yummy Capri’s baked treats are.”
Everyone murmured in agreement about Capri’s goodies and began snagging them up one by one. It was a good thing my friend had made a ton and I still had a bunch in the cooler under my table.
Once again, the group moved out of the way as a few readers approached my table.
“Duty calls,” I told them, but my gaze was on my husband. “See you soon.”
His sexy, heart-stopping smile almost undid me. It was filled with the promise of what was to come. I had to clench my thighs together to quell the ache that instantaneously hit with that one look. It got me every time.
Our whole group was heading to dinner after the signing before everyone went home, and Landon and I came back to our hotel room, but I had to finish the rest of the signing first.
While I was having a blast, my mind was definitely somewhere else now.
I looked down at the squishy penis sitting in front of me.
That little booger taunted me, a reminder of what was to come, not only for the rest of the event but all through dinner too.
I called out my last goodbye.
It took about an hour to load up my table after the signing. Brinley and I chatted with many authors again as we packed it all up for the day.
I’d say it was a success, so much so that I planned on coming back the next year. Honestly, it was not only convenient that it was so close to home for me, but it also turned out to be a lot of fun.
I tended to stay in my own little author bubble for the most part. Sure, I chatted with people here and there, had done a few signings, but I was busy with family and friends, and didn’t spend a lot of time away from my daughter.
For me, I guess it was just how I’d set my priorities.
Those were different for everyone, and that was okay; mine stemmed from loss and love, I think.
I’d say my priorities were maybe even learned the hard way.
And while I was so happy to be involved in the signing and also to have a night alone with my husband, I missed my sweet Noelle terribly.
“That was one for the books,” Brinley joked as we headed out the doors to meet up with our friends.
The guys had come in to grab all my stuff and load it up while I made my last round to chat with a few people. I thanked Sasha last for a wonderful event and made plans to stay in touch.
“Just remember how much you loved it, because you’re coming with me next year,” I told her.
She laughed. “Duh.”
We were almost to the ballroom doors when Landon and Rowan appeared to get us.
Brinley squealed like a teenager and skipped the remaining few feet, throwing herself right into her husband's arms. I couldn’t contain the huge smile that swept across my face at seeing those two.
They had a second-chance love story, just like Landon and me.
One of my favorite tropes!
Just as ecstatic to see my guy, I ran toward him and jumped right into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. He caught me, his hands going under my ass, and I planted multiple kisses on his handsome face.
“Get a room,” someone called out playfully.
Twisting my head, I saw Sasha grinning at us.
“Oh, we got one!” I yelled back to her, causing her to crack up.
Turning back to my husband, I gave him one more kiss and then moved to get down. I slid down his body, friction sparking between us, another reminder of what would come later. He grabbed my hand, and a bolt of electricity shot up my arm.
The way he made me feel, I knew it would be that way forever.