Page 22 of Lucky in Love
“Fair comment.” She nods. “All right, hang tight while I go change, and we can head on out. However, I must warn you. I will need copious amounts of coffee with breakfast, and I need to be back here in time to collect my stuff to go set up.”
“I’m gonna need you to break the second half of that down for me.”
She slaps a hand against her forehead. “Shit, definitely going to need that coffee. Of course you have no idea what I’m talking about because I haven’t told you, have I?” Shaking her head, she continues, “I have a book signing this weekend, and I need to set up for it this afternoon.”
“Sounds intriguing. Anything I can help with?”
“Don’t you have work? Speaking of which, shouldn’t youbeat work?”
“We get time off after a mission, so I am free.”
“Then yes, please. I could absolutely use the help. Sorry to own up to it, but I can definitely use the muscle power.”
“In that case, I’m definitely going to need my breakfast. Off with you, woman. Let’s get this show on the road.”
“Be right back.”
Just like the last time, Agatha doesn’t keep me waiting long. I can count on one hand how many women I know that can be done to go out in fifteen minutes and look perfectly put together.
It doesn’t take too long to reach the venue. Walking into the plush foyer of the hotel hosting the signing, Agatha pauses. "I just need to check in with reception to see if my stuff has arrived. I’ll be right back.”
“Sure. No problem. I’ll wait here,” I say, indicating the chairs off to the side of the reception desk.
When she returns a few minutes later, a young man – rather starstruck looking young guy – in tow, she grins over at me. “This is Ricardo. He’s going to help us with my stuff.”
Ricardo has an enormous keyring, which he’s currently swinging around his finger. “This way to the storeroom,” he says, giving Agatha an adoring smile. He pushes his trolley ahead of him as he expertly weaves his way between the ebb and flow of people in the lobby.
We follow him down a hall and into the previously mentioned storeroom once he’s finally found the correct key to unlock its door. We’ve no sooner discovered the boxes meant for Agatha than we hear someone calling for him from somewhere out in the hall.
“Yeah, in the storeroom. What’s up?”
A head appears round the doorframe. “You’re needed urgently at reception.”
“I’m kinda busy right now,” he all but growls, and I have to bite back a smile.
“Sorry dude, not my instructions.”
Sighing, he replies, “Be there now.” He turns to Agatha, having completely ignored me this entire time other than a chin lift at introduction. “I’m real sorry, Ms. Agatha. I have to go.”
“No problem, Ricardo. We’ll be fine, thanks.”
He nods before leaving the room, one last look over his shoulder before he moves out of sight.
I reach for the first box, not expecting it to be so heavy. “Shit, what the hell is in this box? It weighs a ton.”
“Sorry, I should probably have warned you about the heavy ones. That’ll be the books. Those” — she points to a couple smaller ones — “they’ll have swag in them.”
“They’ll have what now?”
With a laugh, she repeats, “Swag. It’s just some branded goodies, for my fans when they drop by later to get their books signed. You know, like pens, bookmarks, that sort of thing.”
Shaking my head, I finish loading up the boxes, and we head to the conference room where the signing is taking place.
“You can put it over there.” Agatha points to a corner space behind her designated table.
She’s busy setting up in readiness for tomorrow, and it’s been a nonstop flow of men and women coming to greet her. There’s a whole host of introductions to people I have no hope of remembering their names. Can’t deny it feels good to be included though.
We’re about done when Agatha turns to me, an inscrutable look on her face.
