Page 53 of The Nicest Thing
"Really?I think there are more than a few writers here who would argue that point."
Finn shrugged."They'd be wrong, but you'll know that once you read her books."
"Finn," I murmured with a mixture of awe and embarrassment.
He turned to me with a smile."What?It's true."
"It's absolutelynot."
"You know I love your books."
He lifted my hand to his lips, placed a lingering kiss over the ring he gave me, and I released a mental sigh.
"Not as much as I love you though."
Leaning up on tiptoe to whisper in his ear, I said, "Laying it on a little thick.Aren't you, O'Brien?"
He kissed my cheek then spoke his response directly into my ear, just as soft, his warm breath making my knees weak."I haven't even begun.These people need to know how brilliant you are."
"But—"
"No buts, Rose.I'll lay it as thick as I want, and you'll take everything I give you with a smile."
The woman eyed the two of us as Finn straightened, and my cheeks flamed.
"Guess I'll have to check her out then," she said, smiling wide.
"You should," Finn said then reached into his pocket, producing one of my business cards.I stared as he smoothly passed it to her."All of Liv Lamoreaux's books are standalone, so you can start anywhere.But I'd read the Starry Grove series first.Trust me, you won't want to stop."
The woman pocketed the business card with a nod.
I couldn't remember ever giving them out to anyone.Well, besides Finn.
"You look a little overheated," Finn said with a grin as if he knew exactly what his words and actions did to me."I'll go get us some drinks.You need anything, Mrs…"
"It's Miss," the woman said with a wave, "and no, I'm fine."
Finn ran his knuckles gently along my cheek."Be right back, wife."
"O-okay," I said stupidly."Be safe."
He chuckled then was gone.
The woman whose name I still didn't know, turned to me and said, "Where did you find him, and where can I get one?"
I smiled at that."Honestly, I'm not sure.He kind of found me.Finn's my roommate's younger brother, and one day, he was just there."
"Sounds like fate."
"I guess."
"Did you know you loved him right away or…?"
I swallowed, watching as Finn reached the food and beverages table and was promptly surrounded, female and male authors speaking to him all at once.This was supposed to be acouples' brunch.I'd thought that was the whole point.Despite that, even though everyone here seemed to have a date, more than one writer was currently giving my fake husband the eye.
My heart sank.
"We were friends first," I said finally.
