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Having this little shindig in Charlington makes everything slightly better. I know most of the faces, I know the store. The homely feel I have makes having to go through this a lot less awkward. And knowing I’m surrounded by those I love makes putting myself on a pedestal bearable.
Edith makes us sit down behind a showcasing full of my new book. After devouring stacks of Reverse Harem books, the cover of my very, very, romantic novel seems very sappy and safe. But perhaps that’s what I need after shaking Charlington up by throwing myself in a polyamorous relationship. This town was not ready for it.
Just imagine my next book launch.
We sit in the back, drinking beverages that Edith’s assistant got from Roots, because I turned into a diva and asked for a Chai latte from Roots, and I got it.
Noise fills the bookstore when the doors are opened up and people start coming in. I can’t see them, but the twirling rage of madness in my stomach sure can feel them. O grabs my hand and gives me one of his panty melting smiles while he starts rubbing the back of my hand.
“It’ll all be okay,” he says, his hazel eyes trying to give me comfort.
It makes me want to vomit. I’m a writer for crying out loud. I’m a hermit most of the time. I don’t do being the center of attention.
A familiar redhead steps around the cabinet we’re hiding behind until it’s time to come out.
“The party’s here!” Meggy yells.
“Did you just quote Jersey Shore on me?” I ask with a smirk.
“Well, there were a lot of smart things said on that show,” Meggy answers earnestly.
“Name one,” Jonah dares her.
“Always put on a clean t-shirt right before you leave for the club,” Meggy dead-pans, shutting all the guys up.
Kellan sticks his head around the cabinet, giving us a head nod. “Coming, babe? I don’t think they’ll keep these seats empty for us for long. There’s a line around the corner just to get in.”
Fuck.
That’s the last thing I want to hear.
“Wait!” I yell to Meggy’s back. She turns her head to see what’s up. “Do you want to do the reading part for me? I’ll do the signing myself. Pretty please! I’ll forever owe you margarita’s!”
She shakes her head. “Go share your talent with the world, sweetie. They all came here for you.”
Crap. Shit. Fuck. Balls.
Maybe I won’t have to do public book launches when I do smutty books? Oh god, what if I’m going to have to do a book launch in a Dominium-like kind of setting?
For some reason all guys are giving me a very sneaky kind of smile, like they can read what’s going on in my mind exactly. And they probably can. Both O and Jonah have known me forever and will always understand me on such a primal level people will forever be jealous. And Dean and Gil have worked their way under my skin like a heroin addiction, taking me over mind, body and soul.
I’d be irritated if it wasn’t precisely everything I’ve ever wanted.
From the other side of the cabinet, Edith starts speaking to the audience that quickly falls silent. I don’t listen to her words as she introduces me, when she talks about my previous books and accomplishments.
It’s the glammed up version of me, all polished and pretty. It’s not the Mor that gets cranky when she’s hungry, or the Mor that ran away almost peeing her pants because her stalker threatened her. It’s definitely not the Mor that wakes up with a hangover after a night of fun with her hair standing up to all sides. I don’t need to hear about that version of myself, I’d much rather hear about the raw version of myself.
Before I know it I’m being called to the front under loud applause from everyone who’s there. Edith welcomes me and lays a hand on my lower back, handing me a copy of my book.
Looking at everyone who’s there, I focus on the familiar faces. Shelby and Meggy are sitting right in front of me, and that’s kind of all I need. Shelby looks like she’s swallowed a watermelon, but then again, swallowing didn’t get her in the state she’s in. Miss Frieda and Miss Patterson are catcalling me, and I can’t help but grin.
Earl stands with his back against the wall to the side of me, holding up his phone, mouthing the words ‘your parents’ to me.
My guys are in the back, the people who matter are here in some way or another, and I can do this. I’ve done way more scary things the last couple of months than this.
“Hi,” I start, looking out over all the eyes that focus on me. “Thank you all for coming. I’ve had book launches before, but never as meaningful as this, in my hometown. I’ve written about true love my whole life, but I don’t think I really understood it until I came back here. Just like my characters in this book. They gave me a hard time writing their story. I’ll read you a passage of the first chapter, and hopefully take you with me on their journey.”
I open the book that lays before me, starting at the very first chapter. Scraping my throat, I start reading.
