AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Great book. God, wasn’t Banner theperfectgrumpy to Tess’s sunshine?” Carlie croons, clasping her hands together and holding them under her chin.
Tasia shoots us a look of surprise. “You—you read it?”
Carlie nods. “It was raunchy and I love it. Plus, I’m friends with Anita.”
Anna coughs on her wine. “You’refriendswith Anita Bang?”
She nods.
“I can’t even say her name without squirming in my seat,” Vivian says, then bites down on her lower lip.
Carlie double-takes at Vivian. “I mean, her real name is Christie, but yeah. She’s great.”
“Okay, you’re gonna have to dish. How is it you’re friends with Anita?” Tasia asks, clutching her glass to her chest.
Carlie swallows hard and shifts her gaze around the room.
“You don’t have to tell us,” I say, trying to give her a way out. It’s pretty clear this question is making her uncomfortable.
“No, it’s—” Carlie begins, her lips twisting to the side. “It’s okay. I knew this was going to get asked at some point.”
“Ooooh, goss. Spill it,” Vivian practically cries out in glee, leaning in closer to her.
Carlie smiles uncomfortably and says, “I write …romance.”
“Really?Are you published?” Tasia asks.
Of course,she would. It’s literally her job.
Again Carlie nods.
“Anything we’ve heard of?” Anna asks, clearly as curious as the rest of us.
“Probably,” Carlie hedges with a grin bordering on grimace.
“Oh my god, the suspense is killing us.” Vivian taps her toes on the ground and squeals like a little girl.
Tasia takes a sip of wine. “So, I’m assuming you have a pen name, as well?”
Carlie points at Tasia. “Very astute.”
“We won’t tell anyone,” I say, mesmerized by the fact that we have anhonest-to-god authorin our midst.
Silence fills the room for a few beats as Carlie chews on the side of her cheek.
“Guys, she wants her privacy. We need to respect that,” I interject, reading her hesitation.
Carlie flashes me a relieved smile. “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you guys. It’s just—I mean, we just met and …”
Tasia waves a hand between them. “Totally get it.”
“I would totally bone Banner,” Anna spits out.
We all turn to face her. While a comment like that from Vivian is to be expected, hearing it from Anna is something totally different.
“Seriously? I thought you liked the nerdy smart ones who end up being a total kinkster?” Vivian gapes at her.
Redirection accomplished.
