Cara: I’m sorry. I thought it would be good for us to spend more time together, and for you two to try and get along.
Me: ??
Me: Hope everything is okay ??
Things were definitely not okay over here. Drea had invited me out for drinks, but I knew she was only doing it to please Cara. After that silent car ride, it seemed like she wanted nothing to do with me. I didn’t lie, though. Since I’d lost my parents, I rarely drank.
I should have ventured out on my own because I was losing my mind in that room! She was several feet away from me, her half-naked caramel skin glistening from her shower. We used the same hotel body wash, but why did it smell so much better on her? I quickly brushed that thought away.
I had decided to listen to a podcast last night so I wouldn’t have space left in my brain to think about what she was doing in the shower for so long. I tried not to think about what she looked like, all wet and?—
“Are you going to keep staring at me, or are you going to get ready?” Drea’s voice shook me from my fantasy.
I scoffed. “I was not staring at you.” I got up and took off for the bathroom. I hoped she couldn’t see the burning on my face.
Ink and Imagination was one of my favorite literary events to attend. It was always set up so beautifully, and they were so warm and welcoming. Drea could learn a thing or two from them.
The event was held every year at the Hidden Library. It wasn’t really hidden, but it was located near the coast of Seattle. It felt as if you were driving to the edge of the world as you drove up the winding road.
The library looked like a medieval castle with its beautiful architecture, surrounded by a blue-green sea. I loved hearing the crashing of the waves against the rocks and the salty scent of the sea.
Whenwe got to the festival, the organizers—an older married couple in their late forties—greeted us. They were the cutest couple, as they seemed to gravitate around each other.
One was a short, plump woman with a salt-and-pepper pixie cut—Margot. The other was a tall, lean woman with flowing brown hair and the biggest blue eyes imaginable—Penny.
They walked us inside and gave us a small tour, pointing out where the panels were going to be held and where the meet and greet would be located.
The auditorium would be used for the panels, showcasing the best-selling sapphic authors around the country. Although this was one of the biggest libraries in the world, they made a safe space for the rest of the arts. It was an honor to be invited.
The room was elegant and full of color. The windows had stained glass, so as the sun rose and moved across, the reflection gave the room a multi-colored hue. The rooms were decorated with an array of flowers and art pieces that looked historic and priceless.
The meet and greet was located in the library gardens. As I stood in the garden with Drea, I could see the astonishment in her eyes as she looked across to see the majestic trees and the full, blooming blood-red roses.
Dozens of little booths were lined up, filling the entire outer edges of the garden. My booth was located near the edge of the garden. If I looked down, I could see the waves crashing into the rocks below.
“The panel will be starting within the hour. Please make yourself comfortable and find me when you are ready,” Margot said with a soft smile on her face.
“Thank you, Margot. You and Penny have been very helpful.”
Margot’s wife beamed as she added, “It’s our pleasure, we are so excited to hear about your story. Please call us over if you need anything at all.”
As the lovely couple walked away, a small stabbing pain shot across my heart. It made me wonder if I would ever find my person, someone who shared the same passions that I did.
Drea broke the silence. “Wow, this place is amazing. In all my time in Seattle, how had I never heard of this place?”
I laughed. “It’s called the Hidden Library for a reason. You can’t just google it. You have to be invited.”
Drea rolled her eyes. “Okay, smart ass, I’m sorry I’m not as cultured as you. Let’s hurry up and find your booth. The faster we get settled, the faster I can walk around to meet other authors. It’s time to drum up some new business.”
My eyes shot to Drea’s. I was about to throw her off the cliff. She was so insufferable. Why did Cara think this would be a good idea?
I kept my mouth shut and walked away. She was not going to ruin this event for me.
During the whole panel, I was so nervous. It wasn’t my first one, but I still didn’t like talking in front of a lot of people. I enjoyed them every time, though. After they were done, I felt better. I felt accomplished.
Every time I looked out into the crowd, my eyes immediately found Drea’s. Her expression was unreadable, but she never took her eyes off me. It made the event all the more nerve-wracking.
They always asked the same questions, and for that I was thankful. Everyone usually stayed on the topic of the books and no one asked personal questions.
