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“I’ve been looking for you all over,” he hisses. “Levi’s almost out of books to sign. Go get some more.”
I keep a pleasant expression on my face even though I’d rather spit. “Sure, Cam. I’ll get right on it. Hey, I wanted toconnect you with Julius Bird, the author of the manuscript I gave you last week. You know, so you guys can chat and stuff.”
Cameron’s expressions morphs from demonic right back to professional. “Oh, yeah. Hello Julius.”
I wave at the guys. “Off to get more boxes of books. Good thing I’ve been working out,” I laugh breezily, leaving them there together.
Cameron can’t stand Julius. Actually, no one likes the man. And the fact that I just stuck him with him makes me want to jump for joy.
I hustle over to the closet where we stored the books for the night’s event, and struggle to pull a couple boxes onto a wheeled hand truck.
“Hey, I can help you with that.” I look up to see Ralph, who I didn’t even know was attending. He usually begs off. He’s got a wife and kids at home. Those sorts of commitments.
“That’d be great. Thank you so much.”
Ralph and I weave through the crowd and unload the books onto the table where Levi is signing. He thanks us, his gaze lingering on me, and all I can think is how he can thank me later.
I take the hand truck. “Thanks, Ralph,” I say as soon as we’re out of the worst of the crowd. “I’ll take this back, you don’t have to.”
“No problem,” he says, nodding. He leans closer. “Hey, has Cam confronted Levi about the Ryder Night book yet? You know, how he’s all freaked out about publishing it and stuff?”
Shit. Of course, Ralph knows. He has supersonic ears.
“I don’t think so. I’m not sure they’ve had a chance to talk.”
“I’ve been thinking maybe Cam will just let it go? Like it’s not such a big deal as long as the book is pubbed under a pen name?” he suggests.
I’m not sure why he’s so interested in this, but his questions are legit.
I shrug. “Who knows. Cam is so temperamental. You never know with him.”
That’s all I can say on the matter. I can’t let Ralph know I have anything other than a completely professional relationship with Levi.
At least, that’s my intention.
Wyatt and Henry show up at my side. “Look at Levi up there, schmoozing like he was born for this shit,” Wyatt laughs.
Ralph’s eyebrows rise. I have no doubt he’s wondering why Levi’s buddies are acting so familiar with me.
I decide to go with it. “Wyatt, Henry, this is Ralph Simons, one of my coworkers.”
They shake hands, giving Wyatt a chance to backtrack. He leans toward Ralph. “You see, I grew up with Levi. I love to rib him about all this stuff. Can’t help it.”
Ralph nods with understanding, like he totally gets where Wyatt is coming from, and that he’s happy to be in on the joke.
Crisis averted.
“Oh my. Look who we have here.”
We turn to see a petite woman slide her hand into the crook of Henry’s elbow.
Whoa.
He does not look happy and straightens his arm to shake her off. She ignores the insult and keeps smiling.
“Are you going to introduce me to your friends, Henry?” she asks.
Oh God. I know who this is. I did meet her once, but quickly forgot about her. She wasn’t worth remembering.
