Page 122 of The Nicest Thing
"Clever," I said.
She blushed then looked away."Thanks."
"Lorelai's not the brightest crayon in the box, but she has her moments," Keely said with a laugh.The others laughed too, but I didn't.What a shitty thing to say."Anyway, if you want to meet up, we'll be at the author dinner later.Who'd you say you're here with?"
"I didn't," I said.
She opened her mouth to speak again, but Rose came through the doors, looking like a vision as the wind caught her hair and blew it all over.God, she was gorgeous.I wanted to run my fingers through that hair, wrap it around my fist and—
"Sorry, Finn," she said."The line was forever long.I think everyone's checking in right now."
"That's okay," I murmured."I'd wait as long as it takes for you."
She didn't catch my double meaning, but that was okay.I meant what I said.I would wait.For her.For as long as it takes.As Rose brushed the hair out of her face and caught sight of the women, her smile dropped.
"Oh, didn't realize you have company," she said.
Keely pasted on a bright smile."Liv!I didn't know you'd be here," she said."It's good to see you!"
"Is it?" Rose mumbled, but I heard.
"How did a small indie author like you get an invite?"
I narrowed my gaze at the slight, but my girl shrugged."The same as everyone else, I guess.I got an email.I accepted the invitation."
Keely Starr shook her head."Well, that's just amazing for you.This is your first time here, correct?"
"Yep."
"It's my third, so yeah.No big deal."
"I think Romance or Die is always a big deal," Rose said.
Keely tilted her head, smile widening."Well, isn't that sweet."
Lorelai stood there shifting from foot to foot, but the other woman—Tessa—sighed.
"Keely, stop," she said.
The blonde gave her an innocent look."Stop what?"
"Let's just go inside already and leave Liv and her book husband be."
"Fine," Keely said with a sniff.She looked to Rose and said, "You know, they sent out the final author list weeks ago.I didn't see your name on there.But I guess something changed."
"Guess so," Rose said.
"Hmmm"—Keely Starr's eyes moved to me and gave me a once-over—"nice meeting you, Liv's assistant."
"Was it though?" I said, and she laughed it off.
But I wasn't joking.
This woman obviously had history with Rose.Bad history.I hoped we wouldn't run into her again.After they left, Rose's frown remained.It didn't dim an inch, and I wanted to put a smile back on her face.
"So, they were…nice," I said sarcastically.
Rose's lips twitched."They're not so bad.Tessa's amazing, and Lorelai's a sweetheart."
