Page 29 of Paper Hearts & Plot Twists

“Have you ever read any Tomlin Haverforth novels?”

“I haven’t,” Emily admitted. “Why?”

“Haverforth is another author who’s been in the conference and writing circuits for about the same length that I have,” Miles said. “We have a lot of history together.”

“What kind of history?”

“Well he was a track runner before he started writing, and in better shape than most guys,” Miles started.

Emily blinked and stared at him in confusion. “So?”

“So, that’s led to some uncomfortable situations for him, especially early in his career,” Miles continued. “When he first started, especially when there were summer conferences, Haverforth would dress for the weather in T-shirts or even tank tops, which showed off his body much better than other outfits did.”

“He had people drooling over him and wanting photos?” Emily guessed.

“Worse.”

“What? Did they proposition him? Get a frantic proposal?”

“You’re thinking too small,” Miles teased with a laugh. “You have to go much bigger than that.”

“Well I can’t imagine they grabbed his dick,” Emily muttered.

Miles’s mouth dropped open in shock. “I can’t believe that came out of your mouth, and absolutely not. A little too far, that time.”

“You have to tell me,” Emily laughed. “We’re going to play this guessing game for all of eternity and I’m never going to get this right.”

“It’s fun making you guess, though,” Miles teased. “But I’ll go easy on you. He had a fan come up to him the first day of the event, lift his shirt, and literally lick him from his navel to his nipple.”

“No,” Emily breathed, staring at Miles in horror. She couldn’t imagine how violated she’d feel if some random person came up and did that to her. Now if Miles decided to do that it would be a different matter . . . She shook her head, trying to push those thoughts from her mind. It wasn’t the time or place for those thoughts. There actually was never an appropriate time or place for those specific thoughts with him.

“Unbelievable, huh?” Miles asked. “If you went up to Haverforth he wouldn’t confirm it, but he definitely could.”

“If he won’t confirm it, you’re definitely making that up.”

“You calling me a liar? I’m wounded! I’m telling the truth. Scouts honor.”

“You don’t strike me as a Scout, but I suppose I’ll believe you,” Emily chuckled. “I’d do everything in my power to forget an experience like that.”

“Well, if a pretty brown-eyed brunette who writes poetry came up for an experience like that, I wouldn’t mind,” Miles said.

Emily flushed and looked away. Her eyes wandered over the space, taking in the crowded room. As quickly as her face flushed, she felt herself pale as the blood rushed from her face when she turned and noticed the vivacious redhead making a beeline in their direction. Emily poked Miles in the side and gestured toward the redhead. If she wasn’t dreading this interaction she would’ve thought the annoyed resignation flashing over his face was funny.

“Fancy seeing you here, Miles,” she said as she neared them. Emily noticed she didn’t acknowledge that Miles wasn’t alone.

“Vanessa,” Miles acknowledged. “You know that as an author at the event I had to come and prepare my table. This is a regular part of my participation in these sorts of events. You’re in the same circuits.”

Vanessa huffed. “Always so straight forward.”

“One of the reasons that we didn’t make a good couple,” Miles agreed.

“It was one of the ways we helped complete each other,” Vanessa argued. “Opposites attract, and we were the perfect opposites. We still are.”

Miles crossed one arm across his chest and rested the other arm overtop, creating an angle, then he rested his face against his fisted hand, exasperation lining his face. “I’m with Emily now, my beautiful girlfriend who happens to be right here.” Miles tugged Emily into his side in a surprisingly gentle motion, despite his irritation.

Vanessa scrunched her nose and looked between the two of them, eyes narrowed. “How did you even meet each other?”

Miles and Emily looked at each other and then turned back to Vanessa, both speaking at the same time:

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