Page 36 of Paper Hearts & Plot Twists

“Sure I do, right until they ask me a question about ‘my’ books, and then I flounder like a fish on dry land. That’s where you come in and save my ass,” he said.

“You haven’t read your own brother’s books?” asked Emily, scandalized.

“I’ve been busy.”

“Sure,” she responded. “What do I get out of this deal?”

“My eternal gratitude and my approval of your relationship with Miles?”

“Hahaha very funny,” Emily said. “Miles and I are temporary roommates right now because of a mix-up, and we’re sort of becoming friends. We aren’t dating, at least not for real. Try again.”

“You’ll have to explain that situation once this is done. Sounds like a funny story I can use against Miles later. Fine, I can let you know some of Miles’s most embarrassing stories. Provide some amusement and blackmail material for you to use against him later.”

“It’s a deal,” Emily said, holding out her hand. Mason placed his hand in hers, shaking firmly. Together they turned back to the crowd and worked to make it through the signing event. Mason smiled sweetly, posing for photos and signing until his hand cramped. Emily jumped in with comments and reminders about Miles’s books, helping to keep the deception up.

Although she wasn’t spending her time with the man she really wanted to be with, the event didn’t lack amusing moments. Emily covered her mouth with her hand as an extremely enthusiastic fan pulled away from Mason after her third hug in a row. She expressed her everlasting love for him again before she finally turned and ran off.

“She’d be devastated to know that it’s not actually Miles she just met and hugged.”

“No way,” Mason retorted. “She’d be thrilled to know that she hugged Mason Bennett, retired tight end of the Kansas City Chiefs.”

“I don’t think she cares much for football,” Emily said with a chuckle. “She seemed to care a lot for her sexy fantasy author, though.”

“A world where an author is sexier than a football player is a doomed world,” Mason teased. “I can’t believe the whole ordeal is finally over. Miles owes me for that. It was more intensive than he made it out to be. I’d have messed this whole thing up badly if you hadn’t shown up.”

“You handled that much better than I expected,” Emily admitted. “Apparently your football career has helped you a lot on the people-skills front.”

“It’s actually retirement that’s been more helpful for that,” Mason admitted. “I started my own podcast after I retired, so at least once a week I host a little show with a guest. I’m also invited to morning shows fairly regularly. You get used to making small talk with random people.”

“I’d hate every moment of that,” Emily admitted.

“Miles would too,” Mason said with a chuckle, “but I’ve learned to live for it.”

They walked in silence for a moment. “I seem to recall a promise to tell me some embarrassing stories. Pay up.”

“Of course, how could I deny the lady embarrassing stories?” Mason tapped his cheek and chewed on his lip as he contemplated options. He gasped and followed with a wide grin, so similar to how Miles spread his face. “I’m going to tell you about our middle school roller-rink field trip.”

“Middle school is a pretty horrible time for just about everyone,” Emily mused.

“Well not when you’re as perfect as I am, but yes, for most people it’s pretty bad.”

Emily rolled her eyes. “Well, tell me this story then.”

“So it all started with Miles’s crush on Jenny Patel. Jenny was a cute little blonde with blue eyes and little pigtails. Think innocent and sweet little church girl. Miles was absolutely obsessed. Waxed poetry about everything about this little lady.”

Emily laughed and then recited a poem:

“Pigtails high and eyes so blue, reminding us of morning dew. Jenny skips and brings to Miles, many very happy smiles!”

Mason’s eyes widened, a bit shocked, “Miles’s poetry was nothing like that. Are you literally a poet?”

“I dabble,” Emily said with a blush. “So tell me about Miles and Jenny at the middle school skating rink.”

“Yes, Miles and I had never actually gone skating before that. Of course I’m athletically gifted, so I had no challenge with that part of the story.”

“Of course,” Emily responded, rolling her eyes.

“But dear Miles cared a little too much about books to take athletics as seriously as I did, so it was taking him a bit longer to keep up with me, though he did try.”

---