Page 57 of Faking Romance

“I know,” she breathes in a quiet voice. “I should…go mingle.” She pulls away from me. It takes all my self-control not to go grab her by the arm and haul her ass up to my apartment and show her how impressive, beautiful, and smart I think she is.

I walk over to the bar and grab another beer. I’m about to go find Bray and Carly when I see Margie and Cornelia walk into the party. I frown wondering if they misread the invitation because they are dressed like they are going on the Titanic. Margie is wearing a literal fur shawl over a purple dress complete with a strand of pearls. She has a matching purple hat on her head. Cornelia is wearing a green dress with a knitted shawl and a gold locket necklace. Her hair is in a fancy bun on her head.

I walk over to them. “Good evening, ladies,” I say.

Cornelia waves me off. “We’re meeting gentlemen callers here. Roxy said we could bring plus-ones. Have you seen men in suits with ties matching our dresses?”

I frown in complete confusion. “I’m sorry. What?”

“We swiped right on some dates,” Margie explains.

I nearly spit out my drink. Somehow, I swallow before asking, “On a dating app?”

“No, on a slot machine,” she says with a pointed look.

I hold up a hand in defense. “Sorry. I’m just surprised. I didn’t know you all were looking to date.”

Cornelia sighs and pats my arm. “Dear boy, we’re old, not dead.” She smiles. “Look, there they are.” She points to two older gentlemen who are in the book section labeled “Billionaire Romance.”

“Well, have fun,” I say as Cornelia kisses my cheek and Margie pats my arm. I watch them walk over and wonder how I’ve had trouble wanting to date again but these two widows are ready to mingle. Shaking my head, I turn back to watch the only woman I’ve considered making mine since Lydia and I broke up.

She’s talking with some people that I don’t know. Taking a seat on a chair, I watch her as I drink my beer. The crowd is slowly exiting as the evening is coming to an end. After talking with their dates and getting their books signed, Cornelia and Margie and their gentlemen callers leave. And then Carly and Bray followed by Cam and Drew.

“How’s it going?” Al’s voice comes from next to me as he sits down in the chair on the other side of a small table.

“It’s going,” I reply.

He leans back. “She did good.” I glance over as he looks around. I can see a mix of pride and sadness on his face. It has to be hard being here tonight. I can only imagine this store holds so many memories for him.

“She did do good.” I pause. “I think Edith would like it.”

“She would. She loved a good romance story,” Al says with a faraway smile.

“What’s that like?” I ask.

He looks over at me. “What is what like, kid?”

“Being part of a good romance story,” I state because he was. Everyone who knew them saw it. They were the real deal.

He gives me a sad smile and leans over. “It was the best. You know, you shouldn’t give up on it. The best love stories come knocking when you least expect it. And sometimes, they come from the most unusual places.”

We both glance at Roxy. “That they do,” I agree as I feel myself itching to touch her for the second time tonight.

“You shouldn’t let that one get away, Grayson. She’s a once-in-a-lifetime woman. Trust this old man, he knows.” He chuckles as he points to himself.

“You know what, Al? You’re right,” I state.

“I know.” He looks at his watch. “Well, it’s past this old man’s bedtime.” He stands and tips his head at me, giving me a salute as he walks over to Roxy and kisses her cheek before leaving. The signing authors are packing up their things to leave and Roxy’s family is saying their goodbyes. Roxy is ever the professional, helping the authors, then the caterer and bartender.

I lean against a wall as I watch everyone pack up. Eventually, it’s just Roxy, Jocelyn, and myself.

“You ladies need anything?” I ask as I push off the wall.

“Nah,” Jocelyn says as she shuts down the computer, not bothering to look up at me.

“Go ahead home, Joc. I got it from here. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Roxy says, her eyes meeting mine.

“Oh, uh, OK. We did great tonight, by the way,” Jocelyn says.

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