Page 63 of Frost
Melanie laughs and steps even closer as I sign the book and hand it to her. “Can I get a selfie too?”
“Of course.” I stand up and walk to the side of the table so we can take the picture.
“Thank you!” she exclaims before giving me a bear hug. Yep. Definitely not shy anymore. She then goes with her mom to the counter in the back to pay for the book.
The next one in line is a boy who looks to be around sixteen or so. His hair is dyed silver, and he’s wearing the exact outfit Jack Frost wears on the covers. A freaking cosplayer? It’s one of the best compliments as an artist to have someone love your work to that extent.
Time flies by as I greet every person in line, sign books, and take pictures. When the line dies down a little, a man working for the newspaper comes in, snaps a photo, and asks me a few questions before leaving.
Looks like my mom will have another newspaper clipping to put in her scrapbook. She’s collected so many over the years.
“That turnout was amazing,” Debbie says afterward. “I can’t remember when I saw this place so busy. And nearly everyone bought coffee to go with their book. I can’t thank you enough, Luka, for agreeing to be here.”
“The pleasure’s all mine. Should I pack up?”
The bell above the front entrance door jingles, and my heart skips a beat.
Everything around me seems to slow, and my skin tingles, like electric currents are shooting through every cell in my body. I feel… excitement. Anticipation. Like I’ve been waiting so long for whoever just walked into the bookstore.
I stand from my chair just as a man walks into the room.
My breath catches in my throat.
He’s beautiful.
Light blond hair, porcelain skin with rosy cheeks, and pale blue eyes. He looks to be an inch or two taller than me, his limbs long and lean. A blue crochet scarf is wrapped around his neck, and he’s bundled up in a dark gray coat and navy blue skinny jeans.
“Am I too late for the signing?” he asks, approaching me at the table.
I can’t speak. I can only stare at him.
“Have we met before?” I blurt out. “You seem familiar.”
“I was just thinking the same about you,” he says, cracking a smile. Then, he holds out a hand to me. “I’m Jack.”
“Luka,” I respond, grabbing his hand. Warmth radiates from my fingers and up my arm as soon as our palms meet. I don’t want to let go, but I force my hand to fall away from his.
“Luka,” he says, as if testing the name on his tongue. A sense of déjà vu slams into me. “Your name meansbringer of light.”
“I think I heard that somewhere before,” I say, putting a hand to the center of my chest where a deep ache forms. “Um. I was just about to pack up, but I don’t mind signing a book for you.”
Jack picks up a copy of my newest release and runs his hand across my name at the bottom. “I hope this doesn’t offend you, but I’ve actually never read any of these. I saw this one in the window display as I was walking by. Something about it was familiar.” He meets my gaze. “Is it a love story?”
“That one is, yes,” I answer, then quietly clear my throat. “Jack Frost finally gets a love interest, and it’s the son of Hades.”
“So it’s a gay romance?” Jack asks, more excited than before. “That’s awesome. And very fitting. You can’t read Greek myth andnotcome across some kind of gay love story.”
“You’re interested in Greek mythology?”
Jack nods. “Interested is a small word. I’m kind of a nerd about it.”
I laugh and touch the cover ofJack Frost and the Whispering Wind. “I have a copy of book one if you want to read the series. My treat.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Jack responds, holding the book to his chest. “I don’t mind paying.”
“You can return the favor by having coffee with me,” I say, surprised by how forward I’m being. But the thought of him walking out the door, away from me, stirs up my anxiety.
“Are you asking me out, Luka?” He smirks.
