Page 13 of Cruise

He slipped his wallet in his pocket along with his room key and headed out. He’d eaten one of the granola bars he’d picked up at the gas station. Now he needed some coffee to help him get through the day. He’d need to check in at the desk and then find out where he needed to be. Besides being at his author’s table, he’d also volunteered to do anything else that was needed.

He exited the elevator, and it looked like a line of readers was already forming. He headed toward the lobby to see about coffee. He walked around the corner and knocked into someone. He grasped her arm to keep her from falling but couldn’t help that her packages went flying.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you as I came around the corner,” he said.

“It’s okay. I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

She had a deep, raspy voice along with shoulder-length blonde hair. He bent down and helped her pick up her packages. When she looked up at him, her dark blue eyes framed by thick lashes looked so familiar. He tried not to look like he was checking her out, but his eyes ran down her body. A full and curvy body was hidden from view by a pair of jeans and a V-neck navy T-shirt with ‘I closed my book to be here’which he found incredibly accurate. He loved people, but he loved staying home and reading a good book too.

“How about letting me buy you a coffee for the trouble?” he asked. He wasn’t quite ready to let her walk away. He was attracted to her, but there was something more.

“Umm, I have to get these to the book signing.”

“I’m heading there too. Tell me what you’d like, and I’ll get it, then meet you in there.”

She smiled and nodded. “I’m tired, and I’m going to say yes. The largest one they have with some type of caramel or vanilla creamer. Other than that, I don’t care.”

“All right. I’ll bring one in for both of us. See you as soon as I get through the line.”

He turned and headed toward the coffee shop. Standing in line, he was trying to figure out why she looked so familiar. He wondered if maybe he’d seen her picture on social media. She obviously was in the book world in some way—either an author, an assistant, a volunteer, or even possibly a cover model. Her curves, along with those dark eyes and lashes, would be striking on a cover.

He'd been so mesmerized by her eyes that he hadn’t even noticed if she wore a wedding ring. He wasn’t into cheaters, but there was something about her screaming at him to spend more time with her. He paid and thanked the sweet cashier because the douche in front of him had been a jerk.

He walked over and picked up his name tag, then headed in. He glanced around and saw a couple authors he chatted with online, but he didn’t stop to spend any extra time. He was looking for—well, fuck, he hadn’t even got her name. He’d walk up and down every aisle to find her if he had to, but then he saw her standing by one of the authors he’d done covers for. He headed over there, then got a look at the face of the woman she was talking to. He walked up and wondered if he was really that lucky.

“Ms. Maureen, what are you doing here?” he asked.

“Oh my goodness, Alex was just telling me about the hot guy she met who was bringing her coffee. Imagine my surprise when you walk up.”

Lexi, his childhood crush, all grown up, turned and looked at him. He would have figured it out eventually. The blonde hair had thrown him. She’d had dark brown hair in high school, and she’d filled out with womanly curves that would have him drooling if he let himself get distracted. But then he’d never imagined he’d run into her at a book signing. They’d both enjoyed reading in high school, but she’d planned on being a teacher when she was in high school.

“Lexi, it’s been a while. I have to say I’m thrilled to get to see you again.”

She broke into a big smile and took the coffees out of his hand, placing them on the table. She slid her arms around him, hugging him to her. Lexi had always been a hugger, as had her family, and it was something he’d missed when she left. His family wasn’t into displays of emotions or hugs. Who was he kidding? He missed everything about her. Besides being his girlfriend, she’d been his best friend too. She leaned close to his ear.

“Who knew the guy I liked in high school became a romance cover model!”

He leaned back and laughed.

“You know I love books. When I was serving, books were at a premium. I read any and everything. One of the guys in my unit got a box of romance books from his sister. She meant it as a joke, but honestly, reading about happily ever afters being in the worst of situations was a great escape. About six months ago, I fell in love with MC romance and Nat’s books. When I was chatting with her, she asked if I’d considered being a model, and suddenly, I was on covers. Now, I feel guilty not getting your mom coffee. What would you like?”

Ms. Maureen shook her head. “I need to run back to the room for something I forgot. I appreciate the offer, but I’ll grab some as I walk back. It was good to see you.”

He watched Ms. Maureen walk off, then turned to Lexi. Time had been good to the girl he’d known.

Lexi bit her lip, then laughed. “She didn’t forget anything. She’s trying to give us time to talk. I don’t know about you, but I have so many things to get done before readers walk in. Maybe we could get dinner?”

He nodded. He’d make it work.

“Sure. Let me see what we can work out. I’m supposed to have supper and check in with a brother. Would you be okay with my brothers and maybe your mom also joining us?”

Lexi tilted her head. “You’re an only child.”

He chuckled. “I meant my MC brothers. I’m a nomad with the Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC.”

“Okay, I’m definitely going to need to find out how that happened.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Supper tonight, anywhere, as long as I get to see you.”

“Let’s exchange numbers because I imagine things will be crazy today,” Booker said. He might have a couple other reasons he wanted her number, but this one sounded plausible.

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