Page 76 of Deception & Daylight
Mags: Can I bring my incredibly handsome, well-endowed, bubble butt, forearm porn, man candy with me?
Paige: Hi Miles. You can come, too. But only if you make her come first. ??
Mags: Challenge accepted, Sunshine. We’ll be there in 15.
Mags: Actually, make it 20. She’ll need recovery time.
He tosses my phone onto the comforter, and before I can even register what’s happening, I’m on my back in the middle of the bed with Miles’ face between my thighs. He gives me a toe curling orgasm in record time, and we make it to Rosie’s exactly twenty minutes later.
The bell chimes over the door when we walk into the diner, and the entire Sunday morning crowd erupts into a chorus of hoots and hollers with a few people hollering teasing jokes about the Smut Siren. I recognize most of the faces in the room, including several members of the book club and their partners. I wave as I pass by, quickly spotting Ivy and Paige are in our usual booth with Luca and Cade, and an extra table shoved at the end for me and Miles to join.
Once we’re seated, Rosie marches over with a platter of cupcakes decorated in hand painted florals, and my mouth instantly waters. I swear, Livie has ruined me for all other desserts. “You’re stuck with us now, Mags. The entire town has claimed the Smut Siren as one of our own.” Something about Rosie’s casual statement has warmth spreading throughout my body.
“Thanks… I think?”
“We’re proud of you, kiddo.” She pulls me into a one armed hug then disappears around the corner to the kitchen leaving me momentarily frozen in place.
“So, how did Papa Watson take the news?”
I shrug. “Not well, I’m assuming. His assistant sent over the link. No context, no scathing email. Just the link.”
“Ouch. I’m sorry, babe.” Paige reaches across the table to squeeze my hand in silent support. She’s had a front row seat to the tenuous relationship between me and my father for years, and she knows, more than most, how badly I longed for more of a connection with him. With that fleeting hope all but permanently extinguished, her support means the world to me.
“Honestly, it didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. Would I have liked to hear him say he’s proud of me for doing what I love and making a successful career for myself? Of course. But deep down I always knew that would never happen. At least now I can tell the world who I am.”
My phone vibrates on the table with an incoming video call from Victoria, and I excuse myself outside. “Hello?”
“Maggie — ” Her footsteps echo off the floor as she paces back and forth in her office and my name is the last thing I register as she begins to word vomit into the phone. There’s something about the article and my identity and maybe a book tour, but I’m struggling to comprehend anything she’s saying.
“Woah woah woah. Calm down and start at the beginning. I didn’t hear a word you just said.”
She inhales a steadying breath, and the pacing stops. Hands on her hips, she finally looks up. “About the book signing.”
“Tori…” Her name is a warning — one she has no intention of obeying.
“Just listen to me for a second, okay? If after I’m done you still don’t want to do it, I’ll totally understand.”
I sit down on a chair beside one of the outdoor tables, arms crossed over my chest. “Fine. You have two minutes to convince me.” Miles catches my eye through the picture window with a questioning glance, and I shrug.
“Ok soooo… I may have signed you up months ago.”
“Tori!” My shrill voice pierces the air and I throw my head back in exasperation.
“Hear me out, Mags. You can still back out but I didn’t want you to miss out on the opportunity. They’re really looking forward to you being there, and they’ve already sold out all of the tickets.”
That last bit of information catches my attention, perking me up like a dog hearing the word ‘treat’. “Sold out?”
“Do you not have any idea how much people love your book? You’re a hot commodity, girl. Everybody wants to meet you. They’re already pre-ordering the next one.”
“You have two weeks to get your ass to Toronto. They’ll have the books on hand for you to sign, and they’re providing all of the graphics, the table, and everything you need for the setup. You just have to show your pretty little face and read the first chapter.”
Beneath my initial excitement over the prospect of a sold out book signing, I’m also hesitant to return to Toronto. The book store where the signing will take place is just a few blocks away from the scene of the crime, and I don’t know if I’m ready to put myself back in that headspace. Then there’s the fact that the investigation is at a standstill. My attacker is still on the streets, and they likely now know exactly who I am ifthey didn’t already.
When I don’t respond, Tori says, “I’ll let you go. Take some time to think it over. Call me if you need anything at all. And for what it’s worth, I think the new pages are incredible and the second book is even better than the first.”
“Thanks, Tor. I’ll talk to you later.” I tap to end the call and place my phone face down on the table, resting my chin on the palm of my hand.
In my periphery, I see the door to the market next door open and close before someone takes the seat across from me. “If I had known I was fucking around with an heiress, I would’ve shown up at the airport.”
