Page 125 of Resisting the Running Back

I pretend to zip my lips.

“Oh, come on!” she says. “You know everyone in line out there is going to ask you. Oh, that reminds me. Are you still okay with a little Q and A before you take your seat to start signing? Maybe you could read a passage fromThe Accidental Roommate!”

I nod. “A short Q and A is fine, but reading a passage?” I pull a face. “I don’t know about that.”

“I marked a few I thought could work, but if you don’t want to…”

I blow out a breath. “Fine,” I relent. “I’ll do it.”

She punches a fist in the air. “Yes! And thank you so much for being here, Summer…I meanSophie. I’m just thrilled to meet you. You’re welcome back here any time.”

“That’s really kind of you. I appreciate it.”

“Have you seen the line out my door? I already love my new bestie, but there are definitely selfish reasons driving that offer.” She laughs, and I laugh along with her. “You ready to get started?” she asks.

I nod.

“Can I get you anything? Water, coffee…”

“Some water would be great,” I say, my throat suddenly dry as nerves climb up my spine.

“You got it.” She opens a small fridge behind her desk and hands a bottle over to me.

I suck down half the bottle in a few sips, which does nothing good for the nausea in my stomach, and then I draw in a deep breath and follow Victoria out to the makeshift stage.

Rows and rows of chairs are set up to listen to me talk about my newest book. Every chair is taken, and people stand behind the rows of chairs and along the sides to see me.

Me.

I’m still in shock that people would show up here on a Friday afternoon to meet me.

This is absolutely beyond my wildest dreams.

It feels like an out-of-body experience as I sit on one of the chairs on the stage and Victoria stands at a podium with a microphone. “Welcome to Harts and Harps Book Nook! I’m Victoria Woods, the owner of the store, and today I’m beyond thrilled to introduce you to Summer Love.” She reads mybiography from a sheet of paper. “Bestselling author Summer Love has loved making up stories since she was a little girl, and her debut novel,Just the Two of Us, is a testament to her belief that love conquers all.”

I freeze at that line.

Is that even true of me anymore?

I used to believe love conquers all. I used to believe love was enough.

I’m not sure I still do after everything we’ve been through over the last few months.

She continues reading, but I tune her out as I think about Miller.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Summer Love!” she says, and the applause snaps me out of my thoughts.

I smile and wave to the crowd.

“We’d love to begin with Summer reading a short passage fromThe Accidental Roommate, which is now available right here in this bookstore!” Victoria nods at me, and I stand and switch places with her at the podium.

“Hi,” I say awkwardly to the room. It’s a sea of unfamiliar faces. I can do this. I used to teach high school kids. I’m used to speaking in front of large groups. This shouldn’t be scary or intimidating.

Except…it is.

For so long, I kept my identity a secret. Now it’s out.

People know it’s me.

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