“Nothing to say?”
“I’m trying to figure out how to hide a hard-on in these pants.”
Gracie laughed, her hand drifting down to find out he wasn’t lying.
“I guess I shouldn’t mention then that I’ve got absolutely nothing on underneath this dress.”
Eric groaned and squeezed her ass. “Maybe we should just skip the party and stay here.”
Gracie pulled out of his arms. “Hell no. We came across the country to celebrate this huge accomplishment, and we are going to that party. We’re going to schmooze and drink champagne and have fun. Plus, I paid a hundred bucks for this dress, and I’m showing it off.”
Eric held out his hand to her. “Then I suggest we get this over with.”
* * *
Eric tried to pretend that this wasn’t a big deal, but his nerves were on overdrive. He knew his agent and editor through email and after sitting down with them yesterday, but other than that, he felt like a pig wearing lipstick.
At least Gracie’s hand in his kept him from backing back out the door.
They approached the podium of the swanky restaurant, where a man with thick silver hair stood, eyeing them over his glasses.
“Hello, can I help you?”
“Eric Henderson and Gracie McAllister.” Eric handed the man their tickets and IDs, which he looked over carefully.
Then he handed their IDs back with a wide smile. “Just head right, and take the elevator up to the roof. It’s the button labeled R.”
Eric bristled, sure the man was making fun of him, but Gracie squeezed his hand. “Thank you so much.”
When they were out of earshot, Eric asked, “Do I talk like an asshole or something? Why in the hell wouldn’t I know R stood for Roof?”
“No, he probably tells everyone that because he’s had people ask. Don’t be so sensitive.”
“I’m not sensitive. Pretty sure he was being an uppity son of a—”
Gracie covered his mouth with her hand before he could finish and smiled at the elegantly dressed older couple who was already waiting for the elevator.
“Good evening,” she said.
“Good evening,” they said, eyeing them curiously.
When the doors opened, he pulled her hand away and scowled at her. “What?”
“Stop cussing and thinking everyone is out to get you. Try to act like a gentleman.” She sighed heavily. “Maybe I should have given you some etiquette lessons.”
“The hell are you talking about?” he teased. “I ooze class.”
Gracie rolled her eyes as they stepped onto the elevator. With just the four of them, the silence was deafening, so he broke it.
“How’s it going?”
The woman smiled. “It’s going very well. Where are you headed?”
“The roof,” Gracie said, squeezing his arm. “This guy wrote a book, so we’re going to celebrate.”
“Oh, how lovely. What’s it about?” the woman asked.
“About the little town we live in,” Eric said.