I didn't get as much attention as he did, I wasn't Iris, but a ton of people recognized me.
"He's my best friend," Emory answered without looking up from the book he signed like it was the easiest thing to say. He had repeated it hundreds of times already.
"What?" The teen said, looking like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone.
"Why is this so shocking?" Emory offered a smile, looking up.
"Because you two are like…" His voice got higher and he just stared between the two of us.
"Like what?" Emory asked.
"The ultimate ship!"
"Ship?" I asked.
They both laughed.
"Is he even real?” the kid asked.
I side-eyed Emory. He flashed me a grin and thanked him for coming.
Word got out I was here, and the crowd doubled or tripled. Emory signed until the very last second, trying to get to as many people as he could before he had to leave for his next event.
"I should bring you to all my events. I think I did four times what I normally do." He nudged his shoulder into mine.
"It wasn't me." I had to laugh. "Everyone there knew your books."
"But you were the draw."
"Only so they could try and guess if we were a couple in person. They wanted a first-hand glimpse of how I look at you." The comment said in jest, but Emory locked me in a stare.
"How do you look at me?"
"You don't know?" I asked cupping the side of his face as I pulled into a spot in the hotel parking garage.
"Oh." He rubbed his nose over mine.
"How much time do you have?" I asked.
"Enough for a shower and to change before the panel."
"I have a gift for you."
"What?"
"Come upstairs and I'll show you." I turned off the engine and walked around to grab my bag out of the trunk.
"Is this going to make me late for the event?" he asked as we got into the elevator.
"I wouldn't make you late for Neil. I'm not that arrogant. He's basically a god. He could probably have us killed."
Emory laughed, leading the way to his room after we stepped off the elevator. He held open the door to a massive room with an ocean view. I gave a low whistle.
"Nice digs."
"I do okay." He smiled, holding out his hand for me.
I took it and he pulled me into his arms. "Thank you for coming here."