Page 132 of Reckless Love

“And then the story that really happened after writing my book is even better.”

That gets applause, and Rhodes sends me a look that makes me excited to get back home. Once the signing starts, I’m not nervous at all. I sign books for hours, smiling till my face hurts and posing for so many pictures. But it's one of the most fun nights I’ve had, especially for any kind of work event. If this is what work feels like, it's exhausting, but so fun. Rhodes keeps coming over to check on me throughout the evening. The guys are here to keep him company and to show their support. They’re so cute standing in line to get their signed copy.

At the end of the night, the crowd thins out and we reach the end of the line.

Becca comes up and says, “Hi, Elle! This is my new friend, Poppy. You can sign her book. You wrote it!”

“Hi, Becca. Poppy! So good to see you again!”

I grin at Poppy briefly before smiling at Becca again. Bowie tried to get her to call me Zoey for the day, but it didn’t take…and I don’t mind one bit.

“Any friend of yours is a friend of mine, Becca, but turns out, Poppy and I have already met.”

Becca’s eyes get big. “You know my friend Poppy too?”

I nod, turning my attention to Poppy. She isgorgeous, with long blonde hair and pale blue eyes, but what strikes me most is how sweetly she smiles at Becca. Becca is one of my favorite people in the world. She’s so lovable, and it seems like Poppy has immediately recognized that.

“But I didn’t know I was meeting Zoey when I met you!” Poppy says, laughing.

“Surprise!” I hold up my hands and Becca mimics me. She’s the cutest.

“Thanks for introducing us again, Becca,” Poppy says, smiling at Becca.

I was charmed by Poppy the first night we met, but now I really am.

“I loved this book.” Poppy clutches the book to her chest, closing her eyes and smiling for a second.

Becca laughs and picks up an extra copy and mimics Poppy. We both laugh.

“Well, thank you so much. I sound like a broken record, but I still can’t believe people are reading it.”

“I will read whatever you write,” Poppy promises.

“Me too, Elle. I read what you write too,” Becca says.

“When your dad says you’re old enough to read these, I’ll give you your own books, okay?”

“Dad, Elle will give me books when I am old enough,” she yells.

Bowie rushes over.

“That’s excellent. Inside voice, please, Becca,” Bowie says quietly.

“Dad, this is Poppy, my best friend, and Elle loves her too. Elle loves me and Poppy.”

I watch as Poppy’s cheeks flush when she looks up at Bowie, but she surprises us both by holding out her hand for Bowie to shake.

“Poppy Keane. It’s really nice to meet you.”

“Bowie Fox,” he says curtly. “Nice to meet you too.”

“Your daughter is delightful,” she says. “And I’m a huge Mustangs fan. Great win last week.”

I stand watching this exchange, enjoying every second. The way Bowie is so stiff and awkward and Poppy is so bubbly and animated with maybe a teensy bit of flirtation laced in there…it’s everything my little romance writer heart adores.

“You are de-lightful,” Becca says loudly, as if she’s trying out a new favorite word. “Sorry,” she whisper-shouts, “you are de-lightful.”

Bowie is not indulgent with his smiles unless it’s directed at his daughter or one of the other kids in the Single Dad Players group. He hands them out freely to them, the rest of us have to earn them. He’s the sweetest man I know, but open and bubbly, he is not. He smiles at Becca now and then is stern by the time he looks at Poppy again.

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