Page 21 of The Good Girl

“Celeste Sky?”

“That’s it. I take it you’re a fan, too?”

“I mean, I’ve read all her books.”

“Of course you have. What is it with women and book porn?”

“We got tired of real-life men sucking. Fictional men fuck like gods and slay our demons without judgment,” I snap, dropping an f-bomb, which is so unlike me. “But it's also so much more than that. It's about finding something we can't get in real life. About exploring your desires, fantasies, and aspects of relationships we can’t get or talk about. It's about empowering women. I hate it when people put down romance books, writing them off as just porn.”

“Okay, I get it. And since you’re looking at me like you might stab me, I’m just going to apologize and beg for your forgiveness.” He gives me puppy-dog eyes.

I snort but then sigh. “Whatever. Your sister’s right. Maybe you should read one, then you might understand why romance books bring in over a billion dollars a year.”

I unzip my carry-on and dig around until I find one of my books. I pull it out and show it to Ambros.

“Oh, I recognize that one. It’s on my sister’s birthday wish list. I didn’t think it was out yet.”

“It’s not. You got a pen?”

“No.” He looks around, then turns back to me. “Hold on,” he says, and walks over to a guy holding up a handwritten sign not far behind us, coming back with a Sharpie.

I take it from him, pull the cap off with my teeth, and crack open the front of the book. “What’s your sister’s name?” I ask with the cap still between my teeth.

“Ella. But she’ll notice if the autograph doesn’t match the others, Nevaeh. It’s a nice thought, though.”

I ignore him as I write out a message to Ella, not wanting to spell anything wrong, and sign it. Then I hand him the book and put the cap back on the marker just as the guy he took it from looks at him and frowns.

“Hey, aren’t you Ambros Deveraux?”

Ambros looks at him before his eyes slowly move to mine, then drop to the book and back up again as all the pieces fall into place. “You’re Celeste Sky.”

“Yeah, I am. Celeste Sky’s my pen name.”

“Oh, I need a picture. My sister’s going to lose her mind.”

“I’ll take it,” the guy holding the sign says. “Can I get an autograph, too, Ambros? I’ve been a fan of yours for years.”

“Sure, man, no problem.”

He hands his phone to the guy and wraps his arm around me. I smile as sign guy takes the picture.

“So, Ambros, what do you do?” I ask him, my curiosity now piqued.

But the sign guy answers, practically bouncing as he hands Ambros back his phone. “He’s an MMA fighter. One of the best there is. Man, that fight between you and O’Donnell was insane,” he says to Ambros.

“You want me to take your picture?” I ask, amused when Ambros suddenly looks shy.

“Fuck yes, my mates won’t believe me otherwise.” He hands me his phone, and I take a few pictures before Ambros signs the guy’s T-shirt.

I notice the people around us are starting to stare, trying to figure out who we are. Anndd… that’s my cue to leave.

“Well, Ambros… it’s been fun, but I’ve gotta go.” I hand the phone back and give Ambros a grin. “It was nice to meet you. Thanks for listening.”

“Pleasure’s all mine, ma’am,” he says, tipping his imaginary hat.

I laugh, heading over to grab my suitcase when I see it on the conveyor.

“I’ll be checking in to see how it goes,” he calls out as I walk away with a wave.

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