Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 73021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
It amazed me when someone noticed me. It was even more mind-blowing when they acted like I was famous. I wrote stories in my pajamas and went days without washing my hair. There was nothing special about me. She should ask Ransom and Opal Carver. They could tell her just how lacking I was. No reason to get all jittery with nerves in my presence.
“I am a massive fan. I swear I’ve read your books ten times each. I can’t wait for the next one.”
“Would you like a photo with her?” Arden asked in his charming tone he often used with readers. “I would be happy to take it for you.”
He always used any chance to promote me and my books that he could. He knew if I stood up and he took pics, others would notice. He saw that as future book sales.
“Oh, would you? I mean, if you’re okay with that?” She looked at me hopefully.
“Of course,” I replied, sliding out to stand up beside her. She was visibly trembling, and that, too, was just hard to believe. “I didn’t get your name.”
She beamed. “Mary Ann,” she told me.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mary Ann,” I told her.
Arden came up behind me and held out his hand to her for her phone so he could take the photo. She handed it to him, barely glancing his way before turning back to me.
“You are as gorgeous in person as your photos. I always thought they were airbrushed or Photoshopped, but they aren’t,” she gushed.
I was thankful my makeup was good at hiding my pinkening cheeks. I still didn’t know how to handle compliments like that. Those about my books, yes, but when it came to my appearance, I had lived so much of my life being overlooked that for someone to think I was attractive, it was foreign to me.
“Thank you,” I replied. “Makeup and low lighting can do wonders,” I joked. It was one of my go-to responses.
“If that is makeup, then please tell me where to go to get some.”
I laughed, then turned toward Arden, who was ready with the camera. He took several, then handed the phone back to Mary Ann.
“Thank you. So much. I’m sorry for interrupting,” she said, glancing at the other two at the table for a moment.
When her gaze locked on Ransom, she stilled and studied him as her eyes widened.
Panic welled up in my chest when it dawned on me what it was she was seeing. The resemblance to the man in the books she’d read so many times.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
When her eyes swung back to me, widening, I was scrambling for a response. Something to get her moving along and not saying what it was she was thinking.
“He looks just like Draven,” she blurted before I could stop her.
Pulling out my best acting skills, I frowned and looked at him, doing my best not to show that he had barely flicked a glance at me and when he had, it was a cool, disinterested one.
“Uh, I guess everyone pictures someone different in their heads,” I replied with a small laugh as I turned back to her. “I don’t see it though.”
She looked surprised. “Really?! Why, he even has the cleft in his chin.”
Continuing to smile like this was amusing, I shrugged. “I hadn’t even noticed.”
“Excuse me,” a tall man in a dark suit said, cutting off anything the woman was about to say. “But we have a policy here. Miss Romeo isn’t to be disturbed by fans.”
The woman blushed, and I hated that he’d had to say it that way. It wasn’t me who had requested it. But I was relieved she’d be leaving now.
“I’m so sorry,” she began.
I shook my head, giving her a reassuring smile. “It’s fine. I hope you have a lovely rest of your evening.”
She nodded before giving the rest of the table a slight wave, looking at Ransom with an almost-longing gaze before hurrying off.
“I’m sorry about that, Ms. Romeo,” the man—who I assumed was a manager by the way he was dressed—told me.
“I didn’t mind. Truly. She wasn’t bothering us at all.”
He gave me a small smile. “All right. But I will keep a closer eye on things over here to make sure you are able to enjoy your evening in peace.”
I wanted to tell him that I didn’t want him barging up and being rude to anyone, and it was rare that happened twice in one night. It was more of a few-times-a-week thing. The entire world didn’t read romance.
I simply nodded and moved to slide back into the booth. The sooner I got this night over with, the better. I wanted to go home to my apartment. I was done peopling.
An ache sank deep inside my chest then. I almost thought, I’ll text Ransom and tell him about my debacle. He’ll make me smile.