I looked past him, hoping Emily would magically return and rescue me from this humiliating moment. But no. She really wasn’t coming back.
This might be my only chance.
“Fine.”
Someone behind me groaned. I flipped them off without turning.
I closed my eyes. Took a breath. And rattled off the elevator pitch I’d practiced in the shower.
“Captain Caruso has been everywhere in the universe. Everywhere except Earth. When an intergalactic storm wipes everyone’s memories on the blue planet, chaos and the collapse of civilization follow. The world is on the brink of extinction. Then the crew of the HMS Samurai arrives on this alien world—Earth—and discovers the key to humanity’s survival: a boy who could either end it all or begin a whole new era.”
I paused. Peered at him through one barely open eye. My stupid hands trembled in my pockets.
John was staring at me. Seemingly trying to inspect the back of my skull. The brain inside the woman who had the audacity to not fall over herself swooning.
“Alright.” He picked up the manuscript, laying it onto a pile of notes beside signed author photos and artwork from his book.
I glanced at Otis, who grimaced and gave me a helpless shrug.
“Alright?” I echoed, pulling my hands free. “You’ll give it to her?”
He nodded. “Good concept.” John scribbled something into a book, closed it, then handed it to me. ?I took it after a moment’s hesitation.?
“I didn’t pay for a signed copy,” I said, eyes still locked on his.
“On the house.” He winked. A wink that could be considered charming. Not by me though. Never.
The angry vampire behind me instantly mellowed as he stepped into my place.
I couldswearJohn was still watching me as we walked away, like a tight, burning thread was strung between my shoulder blades.
Otis balled his hand into a fist and shoved it in his mouth like he was physically restraining himself from screaming.
An hour passed. Still no Emily.
But John Kater? He was on a break. And he had my book in his hands.
He—John Kater—was holding my book. And reading it.
For the second time in my life, John Kater was reading something I had written. With his intense, very John-Kater eyes. I thought I might pass out.
I watched him like an absolute lunatic, half-crouched behind a cardboard Star Trek pop-up.
“He turned another page,” Otis whispered with a shriek.
I slapped his arm to shut him up.
“Was that a laugh? Did he just laugh?” Otis asked, eyes wide.
“I think so. I saw teeth, so... maybe. Wait. Do you think he laughed because it was funny, or because it was bad?”
“Mhh,” Otis murmured, shrugging. “Maybe a bit of both?”
I slapped him again.
“Ow! That one actually hurt.” Otis rubbed his arm dramatically. “Still, he’s got a nice smile.”
I shot him a look.
