Page 30 of Read Me, Baby

“This is going to be epic, Jay. I couldn't be happier for you.”

I give him a high five and smile. It's just one more thing this town has given to me.

I hear Nina begin to read.

“...I’m afraid. I’m afraid to love again, to open up, to do something new. But then I met you, and the fear I had seemed to dissipate. The unknown was magical again and the opportunity that a real love was out there awakened my heart…”

As she begins to speak the next line, which is intended to be from the male point of view, it’s my cue, and I speak into the microphone as I walk onto the stage reading from the highlighted portion of the book.

“...You don’t need to be afraid…”

Nina jumps at my voice and the look of amazement, astonishment and then excitement on her face is everything I never knew I needed. I smile at her, continuing to read and walk closer.

“...I need you to know I’m all in, I’ve been all in since day one. I was just waiting for you to catch up, needing you to catch up. Tell me. Please tell me you're running this race alongside me. Trust the magic of new beginnings, sweetheart...”

I finish my paragraph and there's a bit of silence and I pull the mic away from my lips, “Baby, read your line.”

She quickly recovers, holding the mic back up and picks up where I left off.

“...I’ll never not be beside you. I’ll never not be thinking of you. You were the one who awakened my heart. It wasn’t this new town or new job. It was you. You were the piece I was missing, no matter where I went, the road home led me to you...”

I take her hand, pulling her in close, feeling relief at hearing her say the words.

“...Falling in love with an unexpected person at the most unexpected time is the best love story of all…”

The crowd cheers as we come together and kiss at the end of our lines. Mrs. Holly is standing to the side cheering the loudest, Wes and Hazel stand close together and Mav looks on with awe.

“I can’t believe you right now!”

“Believe it, baby.” I kiss her once more and turn toward the crowd raising my mic. “Just a few short weeks ago I met Nina Amoré and from the moment I saw her, I knew there was something special about her. She’s taken this town by storm and I know everyone who has come into contact with her knows exactly what I mean. She’s the sweetest woman who doesn’t know how good she is, but I’m here to remind her, she’s the best. And she's the best for me. Now I know why I’ve been alone for so long. Because I was waiting for her to find me.”

The crowd oohs and ahhs and I see Mrs. Holly wipe her tears. I hold Nina close. “Nina Amoré I had no idea there was a woman like you out there, but the love you've shown has taken me by surprise. I shouldn’t be surprised by finding you. You’re what I've dreamed about, what I've read about for years.

I turn to the crowd once more. “I’ve been reading romance novels since I was in high school. Mrs. Holly liked to pretend she didn’t know it was me, but she’s what has kept my standards high. You’ve all patiently waited for me to get my happily ever after and I’m happy to let you all know, I’ve found her.”

Mrs. Holly comes to us and takes the mic “I’m so happy to hear you say that, Jay. And we have one more surprise for everyone today. Bella Valentino, would you come to the stage?”

The crowd gasps in shock and Nina about falls over.

“Bella is here?” She asks incredulously.

“We couldn't have a National Read A Book Day without its star player, could we?” I kiss the tip of her nose as Bella comes to the stage with a mic in hand.

“Thank you everyone! When I heard the town was celebrating reading day with one of my books I couldn't resist. And when Mrs Holly reached out to let me know you had your own happily ever after from one of my books, I had to show up. Seeing you two fall in love together is why I write what I write. Your love for each other is so clear and I know a happy ever after is destined for your future. Thank you for including me in your day.”

Nina and Bella hug and I couldn't be happier that I could give her today. I don’t care that I've outed myself. I needed to come to terms with the idea that yes, this book is our secret, but my love for her has no secrets. It has no bounds and I want everyone to know.

I’m in love with Nina Amoré.

She was everything I had been missing for the last nine years and holding her now. I knew I'd never miss another moment.

THE END.

EPILOGUE

NINA … 3 WEEKS LATER

“Have we settled on a Halloween costume yet?”