“I had no clue,” she swears. “I wish I could have pulled off keeping it all a secret, but I’m too much of an open book. You’ve read me before, Isla.” She tilts her head towards Blaze. “You knew what I was thinking before I knew.”
“So whose idea was all this?” I ask as the harried security guard lets in Dean, Owen, and Hudson. Dean and Owen are carrying large cardboard carafes of coffee, and Hudson is pushing a pram full of bagged pastries from my favorite bakery around the corner.
The shopkeeper and her assistants rush over to take the items from them, rapidly getting them set up on a table in the back of the bookshop.
For a moment, Jackson just stands there grinning at his two best friends. “We decided to do this so last minute. I can’t believe you guys all came. I can’t believe you’re actually here.”
“I’d like to take all the credit, but Rob Goodfellow organized all the plane tickets,” Dean says. “But we would have found a way regardless. Rob sends his well wishes for the wedding, by the way. He said he’s sorry he can’t be here. He’s shooting something in Tierra Del Fuego.”
“We wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Hudson chimes in. “I can’t wait to see what a Lupercalia-themed wedding is like. I just hope it’s okay that we’ve come a day early and crashed your book signing.”
The bookstore owner looks at our large entourage and frowns. She taps her watch impatiently, pointing to the crowd outside. A couple of paparazzi are circling out front like sharks.
“It’s time. We can’t keep them waiting any longer,” Jackson says. “They seem quite anxious to get their hands on your book, Isla.”
“There’s just one thing,” I remember. “I need a pen!”
“I got you, take mine. ” Jackson pulls his trusty clicky pen from his pocket. He clicks it a few times and waves it with a flourish. “You know I’d brave dragons for you.”
“I know,” I laugh, ”I’ve seen the webcam footage.“
“I’d run naked through the streets of Rome for you, too,” Jackson whispers in my ear, pulling me in for one more kiss before the shopkeeper opens the door.
“I don’t think that will be necessary,” I say.
“Well, maybe I could run naked through the apartment later?” He looks hopeful.
“I’m counting on it,” I laugh, reaching for the pen. Jackson holds it just out of my reach, smiling mischievously.
“Give it!” I poke him in the ribs.
“Not until you say the magic words,” his eyes flash.
“Okay then, you depraved fiend,” I whisper so only he can hear, growling slightly in his ear. “I want it NOW!”
