Page 2 of Write on Time

She’s gorgeous. Bright green eyes and dark blond hair that falls in soft curls around her heart-shaped face. Plain black cat-eye glasses sit on her pert little nose that I just know is covered with freckles that probably scrunches up when she laughs out loud.

If she doesn’t have a man already those guys in town must be freaking idiots.

I should sit back down to write but now that I’ve finally done the unthinkable and peeked at her like some kind of crazy stalker, I can’t make myself move away from the screen.

Her eyes sparkle like emeralds and her soft pink lips have the most tempting curve when she smiles. Everything about her is perfect.

And that has to be why I do the craziest thing I’ve ever done in my life.

I pull a sheet of my paper to me and write:

Dear Alanis:

Silly girl! I would love to come see you and meet people in your bookstore! Just send me the details and I will gladly make a trip to your little town.

Valentine’s Day sounds like the perfect day for our very delayed meeting.

I can’t wait!

Love, Lily

And then before I change my mind, I seal the envelope and run it outside and down the street to the post office where I have to face several fans that knew my secret.

My little town loves Lily L’Amour even if she….is a he. After all, the whole world loves to be in on a secret joke.

None more so than my home town.

CHAPTER 2

Alanis

My whole body quivers with excitement and I reread the same paragraph three times at least.

My best friend is coming to see me!

I know, I know! It’s ridiculous to think that my best friend is thousands of miles away on the east coast. After all, I live in a friendly little town on the other side of the country. All the people here are nice and willing to make the effort for their community.

But I’ve always had the hardest time making friends. That’s why it was so easy to just send a letter to my favorite author. We didn’t have to see each other. It was just a one-time thing.

But then she replied and she was so nice and funny and I just couldn’t resist writing back to her. Two years later I was just crazy enough to ask her to come out here to my bookstore for an appearance. And now she’s said yes! I feel like a giddy schoolgirl.

I put the book down knowing that there’s no way in heck I can actually concentrate on it, even though I love Lily L’Amour’s books. This one is one of my favorites but it just can’t distract me tonight. Lily said she’s going to be here for Valentine’s Day and the festivities that weekend. So that means less than a week before she shows up.

I’ve already put the notice up on my website and the social media sites. I’ve been swamped with people coming out of the woodwork, desperate to see their favorite reclusive author. I can’t keep her books in stock and it’s all shaping up to be the biggest success of my little store’s lifetime.

I pick up the list of things that I need to take care of before she shows up. The biggest being finding out if she needs picked up. But I don’t have her phone number. And her social media accounts seem to be run by her editors. So I can’t private message her.

I sigh and shove my fingers through my curly red hair. I don’t think I can take care of that one unless she contacts me.

The phone rings and I answer it, distracted. “Hello, Book Nook! How can I help you?”

“Ummm. Yes. I’m with….Lily L’Amour. We’re reaching out to make sure that everything’s set for…the visit.” The man’s voice is deep and husky. Commanding.

I giggle. “Thank you so much for checking in! I was just thinking about the fact that I don’t know if she needs anything for the visit. What about a place to stay? I’d be happy to put her up at my place. I’ve got a spare bedroom. It has its own private bath.”

“Oh…umm. I’m sure that’s not necessary. Ummm, she doesn’t want to put you out.”

“Oh no! I’m so looking forward to meeting her! I would consider it an honor to house her for her visit!”

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