Page 15 of The Ruse of Romancing
“I hardly think that’s necessary,” I said, my cheeks heating at her enthusiasm. “Though I’d be happy to give you an advanced reader copy, once they’re available, to say thank you. Oh, and sign a copy ofOf Curses and Pomegranates,if you have one.”
While she professed to be a fan, I made no assumptions about her owning a physical copy. Maybe she was a major library patron or an ebook reader. Though I’d be willing to sign her ereader. I’d done that several times on my book tour.
“If I have one? Dani, my dear, I own at least three. I’ve got the original hardcover, the special edition hardcover, and the paperback with sprayed edges.” She ticked off each edition on her fingers. “I just wish I could get my hands on the UK special edition. That cover is gorgeous!”
I nodded, knowing the exact edition she was talking about. “If it makes you feel better, I don’t even have a copy of that edition. They were supposed to send me one, but apparently it got lost in the mail. Though I wouldn’t put it past my sister to have screened my mail and snagged the copy for herself. She’s my publisher and, honestly, she probably deserves that copy more than I do after all the negotiating she did on my behalf.”
Avery denied taking my copy, but she’d been dog sitting for me while I was on book tour so often that it was the only reasonable explanation.
“Wait until I tell Phyllis and the other ladies in my book club you’ll be writing in my bakery. They’re going to be so jealous,” Joane said with a sigh of contentment, clearly picturing her friends and forgetting my request she not tell anyone. “I might have to get a regular paperback too, complete my collection and have you sign every one. My personal library is going to be the envy of Cascade Harbor.”
Listening to her list off the different editions of my book still felt unreal. How was it possible that this was my life? And how was I possibly going to follow up my debut with a book even half as good to finish the duology with expectations so high? Maybe running away to Oregon wasn’t far enough. How hard was it to get to Alaska from here? I’d go keep Sadie company at her family reunion. Or maybe I could find an Alaskan mountain man and hide away from the world, ice fishing and doing my best to avoid hypothermia for the rest of my life. I hated fish, but that was beside the point.
Shaking myself out of my melancholy thoughts, I forced a smile for Joane. “I’d be happy to sign all of your copies when I come back tomorrow. Just please, don’t tell anyone else who I am. I’m trying to keep a low profile.”
Joane’s eyes widened behind her glasses, and she smacked her forehead. “I forgot about that part.”
She mimed zipping her lips and throwing away the key.
“Your secret’s safe with me,” she whispered, reaching over to pat my hand. “Though fair warning, my son owns the bookstore, and he’ll probably recognize you on sight. Your book has been his top seller this year. In fact, he’d probably die of excitement if you went over and signed a few copies.”
I hesitated, wondering if I was about to surrender my anonymity, but also recognizing the town was only so big. It was probably better I met Spencer now when I could ask him not to disclose my identity before he started a rumor circulating around town. I was from suburbia, but if watchingGilmore Girlshad taught me anything, it was that small towns loved their gossip, and a visiting author was prime fodder to make the rounds.
“I could probably do that, if Spencer promises not to blow my cover,” I said. The last thing I wanted to do was venture into a bookstore and declare who I was, but if it meant Joane would let me write in her space, I’d take the risk.
“I’ll call him and tell him the deal. He’ll keep your secret, I promise.” Joane pushed up from her chair and hurried into a backroom behind the counter.
I settled into my seat, returning my attention to my lunch. I’d eat quickly and then head over to the bookstore. The sooner I could get this book signing over with, the better. Then I could return to my plans for the day: thrifting, grocery shopping, and writing. Maybe I’d even pick up a book or two while in the bookstore, for reading in the evenings after I’d hit my word count goal. After all, successful writers needed to hone their craft and what better way to perfect my writing than to read a book or three? Really, it was essential author research. And if it happened to take place on the beach, all the better.
Chapter 7
Mason
Irubbedmyjawas I crossed the parking lot of Ed’s, heading to Seabreeze Reads. I was not used to the smooth texture of my skin. Davie had done a good job with my haircut and shave, my hair longer on top and shaved close to my head on the sides. Given that Charlie had been the reason for my shorter-than-planned haircut, Davie hadn’t charged me. He claimed he owed me for the ribbing I’d experienced at the hands of Art, Marty, and Clyde for trusting Charlie with my hair, and I wasn’t about to argue. And while I’d miss my less fussy, long hair, I’d still get my bi-weekly gossip update if I was going to maintain my new short hair. Though I would need to invest in a razor for shaving in the mornings.
If Spencer hadn’t told me to stop in to discuss a possible commission, I would have driven straight home to hide from the world as I let some of the sting of the day wear off before I had to face the town beardless and man-bun-less. I now had more sympathy for Samson than ever before.
Charlie, your name is Delilah.I thought with a snort as I stepped into the bookstore, a perky chime greeting me and contrasting sharply with my mood.
“I’ll be right with you,” Spencer called from somewhere tucked behind bookshelves.
“Take your time,” I said, shivering at an unexpected chill inside the shop. I now understood why so many men in Oregon perpetually wore beanies. Not having my hair to keep my neck warm was going to take some getting used to, especially if I visited my mom over the holidays. Just the thought of a Utah winter had me breaking out in goosebumps.
I wandered the store, certain I’d find Spencer tucked into a corner restocking shelves, his glasses sliding down his nose and his blond hair sticking up in random spikes around his head. Honestly, if things were slow enough, he might even be curled up in one of the striped armchairs reading a new release.
The bookstore was cozy with dark wood bookshelves lining the walls and angled in places to create little reading nooks. When Spencer’s grandfather had passed away, leaving behind a large inheritance, Spencer had spent several years exploring different career options as a self-proclaimed entrepreneur. When he’d finally come to me with his idea to open a bookstore, I’d laughed, convinced he was joking. But he’d made the shop work, using its location near the coast to attract authors for signings that also enticed tourists to visit.
Spencer’s biggest coup to date was hosting a signing for the hottest thriller author in the country, attracting readers from several hours away for the event. I still wasn’t sure how he had convinced the author to visit when Powell’s Books, the world’s largest independent bookstore, was nearby, but his results spoke for themselves.
Spencer had been trying to convince some fantasy romance author to visit, but he was having a hard time persuading astick-in-the-mud guy at the publishing house that the event would be worth it. But if anyone could make it happen, it was Spencer. He'd recently completed an addition on the back of the store, creating an event space that hosted a variety of events in addition to signings. Though I doubted any signings would outshine the chaos and magic that was Cascade Harbor’s monthly bingo night, which Spencer had started hosting almost immediately after finishing the space.
“Welcome to Seabreeze Reads! How can I help you?” Spencer asked in his best customer service voice as he rounded the corner with a stack of books in his arms and a welcoming grin on his face.
“I feel like I should be asking how I can help you, since you set up this meeting,” I joked back, surprised when Spencer blinked back in confusion.
“I set this...” He trailed off, recognition finally settling in as his mouth dropped open. He stood there for several seconds gaping at me before words came spewing out. “Dude! What happened to you?”
I flinched at the shock in Spencer’s voice and expression, tempted to shush him like we were in a library, even though, as far as I could tell, I was currently his only customer.
