Page 139 of The Nicest Thing
"Because you're a gorgeous guy in room full of romance addicts.Who knows what'll happen without my awkwardness to scare them off?"
I scoffed.
"Seriously, Finn."
"I'll be fine," I said, lifting my chin in a nod."Go rock that author panel.I want to hear everything when you get back."
Rose ran over and gave me a quick kiss that left me leaning after her.
"Don't disappear, Finn O'Brien," she called back."And don't fear the romance readers."
I nearly laughed.
Disappear on her?
Yeah, right.I'd be here waiting.
And fear a bunch of book lovers?Please, these were my people.The author panel was supposed to be an hour long.All I had to do was hold down the fort until Rose got back.How hard could it be?
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I had underestimated them.
The ladies at Romance or Die were a cool bunch.No doubt about that.I didn't think I'd ever talked so much in my life.They gathered around Rose's table and asked me questions as if I was the one giving the panel.That was fine.I could talk about Rose's books all day.I knew the characters and stories by heart.
What made it difficult was the flirting.
Single, married, or other, they threw seductive glances and innuendo my way like it was nothing.
Even the shy ones.
And basically no one had a filter.
Not sure they'd even heard of one.
These women were sexually liberated, read what they wanted to read, and enjoyed talking about their likes and dislikes.And I didn't just mean coffee versus tea.
Had I ever had such an in-depth discussion on kinks?
Nope, didn't think so.
But like I said, it was fine.At least I managed to sell 10 books.I couldn't wait to tell Rose.My cheeks were probably a permanent shade of red.
Thank God, my brothers weren't here.Or Emmy , my sister would've taken way too much joy in my discomfort.Who was I kidding?They all would've enjoyed the hell out of this.Even Dex and Bay who didn't love books would've gotten a kick out of watching me squirm.
My phone buzzed in my pocket.
I pulled it out and saw my sister's name on the screen.
Emmy:How's it going at the conference?
Me:Fine.I got the present you and Bay left in my suitcase.
Emmy:No idea what you're talking about.
I leaned back.
Was she being serious?
