Page 29 of Read Me, Baby
“I need to find Nina. I’m sure she’s freaking out at the sight of everyone here today.”
“Alright man, let's head to the staging setup.”
We make a quick detour and I find Mrs. Holly and Hazel at the back of the main stage. The local band is currently playing and the crowd gathering in front is growing. Once Nina catches my eyes she makes a beeline toward me, throwing herself into my arms.
“Oh my god, I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Where else would I be?” I lift her face, kissing her lips. “You’re going to be fine, baby.”
Maverick steps up to us and Nina gives him a quick hug. “Thanks for coming, Mav. I know this isn’t your thing.”
He laughs. “Sexy scenes are always my thing.”
She groans and covers her face with her hands falling into my chest. I kiss the top of her head and shoot Mav a death glare. He laughs. “What? Reading porn is hot! You got any other sexy librarian friends I need to know about?”
I punch his arm and he yelps, and Nina laughs. “Leave him alone. I know what he’s trying to do.” She shakes her head and tsks him. “I can’t wait until a woman gets a hold of you, Mav.”
“Same, baby girl,” he says with a wink, and I glare at him, but he just laughs at me. “Jesus Jay, you're so easy!”
Mrs Holly comes running over to us and Maverick takes a second look. “Mrs. Holly! You need to be careful! Why are you running?”
I snicker and purse my lips when suddenly Mrs Holly slows and grabs onto Mavericks biceps. “Oh Maverick, I’m so glad you’re here. Can you help me to the front of the stage? I need to introduce Nina. We’re up next!”
“Of course.” He carefully helps her walk to the steps and they climb them together.
“You know she’s full of shit, right?” I say.
Nina laughs out loud, throwing her head back. “Oh my god, I thought I was the only one who noticed.”
“No way. She’s been playing this card for years. Mav feeds into it because he needs to be needed.”
“Nothing wrong with that.” She squeezes me tight once more.
“Listen, I'm going to be right here. You’re going to kill it up there. Don't think about anything and just imagine it's me you’re talking with. Then, I'll reward you tonight by writing out my own scene.”
She slaps at my chest. “Even your sexy promises are not helping right now. I want to throw up.”
“Yeah, that's definitely not sexy but we’re going to ignore that. I’m going to be in the front row and you're going to be just fine.”
“Good afternoon, everyone!”
I feel her body lock up tight with me, but I have to urge her to get to the stage. She doesn’t know I’m about to make this super easy for her.
“I’d like to thank you all for coming today! This year's book event is extra special. We have a brand-new librarian in town and she has brought nothing but amazing love to our new romance book club! If you aren’t a part of it, I urge you to join today!”
“Oh god, not more people!”
I laugh. “Shhh, you're amazing.”
“Without further adieu I want to welcome Nina Amoré to the stage. We have all been enjoying her club, reading Bella Valentino’s latest release “The Road Home” and I can't wait to hear her share her favorite part of the book with you!”
The crowd claps and whistles and I walk her to the foot of the stairs. Kissing her one more time, “You’re fucking amazing. Now go out there and make those people fall in love!”
She takes a breath and turns and walks up the stairs. I see Mrs. Holly hand her a microphone and a book and they speak softly to each other.
I quickly find the sound guy and grab the mic he has waiting for me.
“Thanks man.”