Page 149 of Lucky Shot
“The girls in the room next to me were laughing and talking until late into the night. And maybe jumping on the bed? It was hard to tell, but they were having a great time.”
“I’ll talk to the front desk about switching your room. There’s a cheerleading camp here this week too. You must be next to one of their groups.”
“No. I’m fine.” I stop her before she pencils in her to-do list to demand a new room in this sold-out hotel. I’d say it’s impossible, but nothing is with Molly. “I haven’t been sleeping that great lately anyway and I have earplugs if it comes to that.”
Molly doesn’t look convinced, but she must decide we have bigger things to discuss. “Okay, well, keep me posted. I need you rested.”
“One more day. I’ll survive.” Today is the last day of the convention. Tomorrow I’m having breakfast with Molly and Doreen to talk about promotional details for my upcoming release, but after that it’ll all be over. And I’ll be free to do whatever I want, which in this case is to go see Nick. I found a few flights, but I can’t decide if it’s better to run it by him or show up unannounced.
“Panels this morning, right?” I ask after taking another sip of coffee. I already feel better.
“Yes.” A hint of unease flickers in her expression.
“What’s that look?”
“They made a last-minute adjustment to the author lineup on your panel.”
It takes no time at all for me to read between the lines. There’s only one person at this entire event that I’d be unhappy about sitting next to. “Matt?”
I successfully avoided him all day yesterday and it was glorious.
Her mouth falls into a sympathetic smile. She doesn’t know thatBecoming Alaricwas my idea, but she does know that wedated, and that it didn’t end well. “We could pull you. I can tell them you are feeling under the weather or had a conflict in your schedule.”
“No.” I’m touched by the lengths she’s willing to go to protect me. “Thank you, but no. I’ll be all right.”
After a small hesitation, as if she’s giving me time to reconsider, she nods. “Okay.”
We walk through the massive hotel to the conference area and down another long hallway to find the room for the panel.
I peek inside. The chairs are already filled with readers and several of the authors are seated on the stage up front. Including Matt. He stands, instead of sitting, almost like he just can’t help himself and needs everyone to have a view of his perfectly polished, fake as hell, smile.
“Ready?” Molly asks.
I let out a slow, steadying breath. “As I’ll ever be.”
I look around for a trashcan to toss my coffee. Molly takes it and then hands me a mint and ChapStick.
“What would I do without you?” I take both items, slip the mint in my mouth and pocket the ChapStick for later.
“Have dry lips and coffee breath.” She beams. “Good luck.”
“Do I need luck?” I ask, too late. She’s already hurrying off, probably to add more meetings to my schedule.
I make my way along the side of the room to the front and then up the steps to join the other authors. Kenna is at the end of the table.
“Hey, Ruby,” she says.
“Morning.” I take the seat beside her, putting several people between me and Matt. I can’t avoid him completely but at least I don’t have to sit next to him.
A few minutes later, the event coordinator gives the panel moderator the thumbs-up to begin. There are five authors across different genres. We start off by introducing ourselves and thenanswering a few preplanned questions. Once it’s opened to the audience, the questions are directed more at individual authors than the group.
To no one’s surprise, Matt is in the spotlight. Women love him, but men too. He has a mass appeal that I used to admire. Now I realize it’s all a show.
I get a few questions too. One reader wants to know if a side character from my first book is getting a story, and another reader asks me if I’ve ever considered writing a rugby romance. Molly sits in the back, smiling at me and silently encouraging me to speak more than five words to answer each question. The spotlight is not where I shine, but hopefully my appreciation and love for my readers and this community comes through.
“This one is for Matthew.” A woman holds the microphone up to her mouth, hiding a shy smile. “How did you come up with the idea forBecoming Alaric? It’s such a unique concept.”
For the first time since I sat down, I look right at Matt. There’s absolutely no trace of discomfort or guilt on his face as he leans forward to speak into the mic in front of him.
