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I was met with sympathy and compassion, and that made me feel better about lying through my teeth. The fabricated story was nothing but a fragment of my imagination, but since there was no evidence to prove the real story, everyone bought it.
And today was my first big signing event.
I had a couple in the past, and they were amazing, but overwhelming. A lot of people knew that I was the only survivor of the Terror of the Night, and a lot of their questions were based on that experience. Sierra was, luckily, always by my side to tell them not to pry too much, as that was not something I felt comfortable discussing in that setting.
‘‘Ready, Storm?’’ Sierra placed both her hands on each of my shoulders, looking straight into my eyes. ‘‘Knock them off your feet and then pay me properly.’’
With a laugh, I grabbed her hands and lightly threw them down.
‘‘Don’t worry, I’ll give you fifty percent of tonight’s earnings.’’
Sierra was satisfied with that. She gave me a thumbs up before stepping aside, allowing me to walk through the small corridor that led to the venue we picked for the evening.
All of my past signing events were organized by someone else, hence why I shared the evening with a lot of authors. That was a great thing; it got rid of my anxiety, and I made a couple of friends. But, I also wanted a night that would be all about me, so Sierra came up with this idea.
Find a venue big enough to fit a hundred people, and then start marketing it. It didn’t take too long before a lot of people were interested, and as soon as she calculated the possible profit, and then removed the prices of the venue, the books, drinks and dinner, we were set.
However, I did not expect this.
As I came out, I saw at least seventy people scattered around the room.
My eyes welled with tears. This was my dream for so long that I truly thought it was impossible for me to reach it. Seeing all of these people with smiles on their faces when I sat behind my desk, slowly starting to form a line, made my heart feel full.
One by one, they purchased signed copies, and some of them bought the little boxed items I had prepared. Sierra’s idea of merch was simple, but very effective as it seemed. A discreet hoodie, the entire trilogy signed, with a personalized candle and a mug to fit the theme of the series.
We brought twenty-five boxes, and they sold out immediately.
I was smiling, laughing, signing books and talking with people that came to see me. It was one of the best nights in recent times. I couldn’t remember the last time I was this happy, this blissfully unaware of my surroundings.
The event lasted for a couple of hours, and by the time I signed the last copy, I was spent. A few people stayed, enjoying the drinks and snacks we provided, chatting, making friends. From the corner of my eye, I thought I caught a glimpse of something.
Of someone.
Quickly, I whipped my head to see a man with a black hoodie standing in the far corner, somehow melting into the crowd, yet visibly standing out.
Immediately, my heart raced, and I dropped the pen from my hands. I remembered that tattooed face, those gorgeous sea-green eyes. My own eyes were teary.
I blinked the tears away and bent down to pick up the pen.
My heart sank in disappointment. When I looked back at where he was standing, the spot was empty. Not a single trace of him ever being there, making me realize that I had just imagined him.
It happened in the past two years way too often.
I’d walk down the street and see him. I’d be in my apartment and glance out of the window, and he was there. I would be driving and see him at the bus station, watching me, smiling at me.
Each and every single time I looked back at the spot I thought I’d seen him, he would be gone.
At this point, Micah Caine was merely a fragment of my imagination.
However, this time, it felt different.
This time, my heart almost leaped straight out of my chest at the sight of him. It could’ve been because, for the first time, I saw him that closely. Or perhaps, it was a sign, telling me that this time, he was real, and he was here?
I didn’t think too much and excused myself for a moment.
I ran outside, into the dark, cold winter night.
Frantically, I spun around a couple of times, searching for a sign of him. My gaze wandered across the street, until I saw an alley. With narrowed eyes, I crossed the road, careful enough not to trip and fall.
