Page 76 of Faking Romance

“Troy, look out the window,” I growl.

He’s quiet for a beat. “Fuck. That’s a lot of people. Sorry. Maybe you can ask to skip the line, I see a limo pulling up, pretend you’re with them.”

A limo. “That’s actually not a bad idea,” I state as I walk out the front door and see Pierce and Haven following two actors, another woman who I assume is the author and their entourage.

“Hey,” Haven says when she sees me.

I look at the line and back at Haven. “Any chance I can come inside with you all?”

Haven grins and winks at me. “Of course, just follow behind us.”

I nod and get in line behind them as security ushers us inside. Damn, she even hired a security guy for the front door.

Pierce leans into me as we approach the door. “I paid for some security. Glad I did,” he says with a laugh as the people in line start screaming when the two actors approach them. The actors take it in stride, walking down the roped-off line and taking selfies with fans. They come back after a few moments, promising more when the fans get inside. I follow them all into the store. If the soft launch was awesome, this is ten times better. An area in back has six tables with signing authors. The two actors have a backdrop area just to the left of the desk. There’s a table with giveaway bags. Outside, two food and ice cream trucks have pulled up to serve customers. A coffee bar is set up inside and she’s added a special editions section for opening day.

“Wow!” I say as I continue to look around until my eyes lock on two familiar blue ones. Roxbury Benedict looks like a wet dream. She’s in a red dress. Her gorgeous hair hangs down in loose curls. And those heels should be illegal. Her gaze meets mine and we just stare at each other for a long beat. The whole world disappears for long seconds. And I know without a doubt that I will do anything to win her back. If this doesn’t work, I’ll show up here every day from now until eternity.

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

Roxy

I blink a few times because, with all of the excitement of the day, I swear I might be hallucinating right now. But no, he doesn’t disappear. Gray is standing in front of me, with Licorice on a leash and in a dress, a freaking cat dress. He’s holding a bouquet of roses, and damn it, he looks like a real-life book boyfriend in his three-piece suit.

He steps toward me as the actors come up to meet me. I try my best to give them my full attention and thank Pierce and Haven. Jocelyn sidles up beside me along with her friend Clare who I hired part-time to help this week, and longer if things pick up at the store.

I keep watching Gray every few seconds out of the corner of my eye. He waits patiently as I make sure everyone is situated.

“Shall we let people in?” Jocelyn asks, motioning to the front door.

“One last thing,” he says as he steps up beside her, looking at me with such intensity I feel my face heat. I suddenly wish we were alone so he could strip me right out of this dress and I could slowly unbutton that crisp white shirt, vest, and jacket. I know what lies beneath it, and damn have I missed that. Hell, I’ve missed everything about him if I’m being honest with myself. But this isn’t the time or the place for us to talk…or do anything else.

Clearing my throat, I compose myself as I glance around us. “Grayson, we really need to get…” I trail off as he hands me the flowers he’s been holding.

“Licorice and I wanted to congratulate you,” he states. I smile as I look from him to Licorice, and then I lean down to pet her. Licorice rubs against my hand as I stand back up and look into his eyes once again.

“Thank you, Gray,” I whisper as I accept them, allowing myself to breathe in the scent of the flowers before Jocelyn is there to take them away.

“I’ll get a vase,” she says quietly as she steps toward the back of the store.

“I need to…” I trail off as I look around us again. His hand comes up and gently strokes my cheek.

“I know. I’ll let you get to it, Roxbury. I just wanted you to know how proud of you I am.” He pauses and follows my gaze around the store. Roxbury. He said my full name and something about that makes me fall even harder for him. Fighting my feelings is getting more difficult by the second. “Youdid all of this. Don’t ever forget that.” He motions with his hand.

I blush. “Thank you.”

“Enjoy it. We’ll see you later,” he says as he steps back, and suddenly I don’t want him to leave. I want him right here with me. My heart aches with need for him.

I reach out and grab his arm. “Wait. Uh, don’t leave. Have a seat or drop Licorice off at home and come back down. There’s more to say. I…it’s just a bad time at the moment,” I stammer.

He nods. “OK,” he replies as he steps to the side. We meet gazes one last time before I turn to the room.

“Everyone ready?” I ask. I get a bunch of “yeses.” “Great. Thank you all for being here from the bottom of my heart. I hope you enjoy yourselves, and if there’s anything you need, just ask Jocelyn, Clare, or me.”

There’s a round of applause and then I give the security guy a nod and the doors open. I watch as Gray sneaks out while one by one, my patrons come into the store.

Haven walks up to me and links our arms. “Congrats. And when you have time, after today, please go talk to him. He’s done so much for today that you don’t even know about. That man loves you, Roxy. Mark my words, he’s one of the great ones. Donotlet him get away.”

She squeezes my arm and walks back over to Pierce, leaving me with my mouth agape until a reader I recognize comes over to talk with me. Holy shit! Did Gray have something to do with the actors in my store? My mind races a mile a minute, but I don’t have time to contemplate it more as I greet my patrons.

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