Page 75 of Faking Romance

“I have an idea,” I say slowly as I pull my phone out of my pocket.

“I love ideas,” Al says excitedly.

I press call on my phone. “Pierce?” I say when he picks up. “I need a favor.”

* * *

I’ve spent all week making arrangements. At first, I wanted to tell Roxy and take all the credit for what I’m doing, but I changed my mind almost as fast as the idea had come to me. I don’t want to make this about me. This is her day. So in the end, I had Pierce and Haven agree to take credit for the idea. Haven worked with Roxy and set up a visit for the grand opening from not only the bestselling author of the recent film adaptation but also two of the film’s actors. Jocelyn says Roxy is ecstatic and that the event is looking to be absolutely beyond anything Roxy has imagined.

That made me smile.

It’s the morning of the grand opening. It’s also the day that I’ve turned in my last score edits for the film. When I wasn’t working with Pierce to get actors to Roxy’s shop, I was working with the local orchestra to record the final musical score for the film. Wade just sent me the files and it’s beyond my wildest dreams. For the first time in my life, I’m proud of my work. I did that.

My phone rings and it’s Pierce.

“Hey, just got the final files,” I answer.

“You want to see them in action?” Pierce asks.

“You mean, you added them already?” I ask in confusion. I knew Pierce was working with his editor on the film, but I had no idea they had a rough cut ready.

“Yep,” he replies.

“Hell, yeah, I do,” I laugh, still feeling like this is all a dream.

The call switches to a video chat and I accept. I’m greeted by a large monitor.

“Here you are. I’d invite you over, but I’m too stoked to wait any longer,” he explains as he hits play and my music fills the silence on the call like a misty fog rolling across a valley. I’m encased and enraptured by it; I watch the opening scene unfold as crescendos build drama. My heart thunders in my chest, only slowing as the music ends.

“And here.” Pierce fast-forwards to the next scene with music. He does this again and again until we reach the ending credits.

It’s quiet as he presses pause following the last note of a moving piece of music that I created after the first night Roxy and I slept together. I was so inspired that I changed my score, and when I shared it with Wade and Pierce, they immediately green-lighted it for recording.

Pierce turns the camera to his face. “You nailed it. Everyone is going to want to use you. You have no idea what is coming your way. My advice…enjoy these next few weeks because your life is about to change in a major way. And you deserve it. I knew you would be the perfect fit for this production. But you exceeded even my wildest expectations. Congrats!”

I shake my head in disbelief. “Thanks. I…don’t even know what to say,” I admit. “Just, thanks for taking a chance on me, for believing in me. I don’t know how to repay you for that.”

“You did that. Your insistence and bugging me got you in my door and the rest is just, well, it’s your talent. This is your moment to shine.” He pauses and smiles at me. “I believe you have a big day today. Haven and I will be there at one sharp.”

“I’ll see you both there. Wish me luck,” I say.

“You don’t need it. She may be mad at you, but she loves you. It’s clear to anyone who has seen you together. You’ll see,” he promises and I hope what he says is true. Love…shit, yeah, I love her too. God, I hope he’s right.

Licorice meows and I look down at her. “Hey, you ready to go see your mom?” I may have gotten her a cute cat outfit. It’s taken a few days to acclimate her to it, but she’ll at least walk around with it on now.

I get myself dressed in a suit because Roxy commented on my suit one night and that stuck with me. So many of her passing comments stick with me. She has no idea how much I’ve come to need her, to crave her in my life. I’ve been an empty shell for days. How did she weasel her way into my heart so quickly? I thought for sure after Lydia broke up with me that I’d never love another woman. But Roxy changed me, and for the better.

I get Licorice dressed next and in her harness, and then I look in the mirror.

“Ready?” I ask her. She meows back and I laugh, already feeling lighter just knowing I’ll be in the presence of the woman who has stolen my fucking heart.

“Let’s do this,” I say more to myself than the cat. I grab the flowers sitting on the side table by my front door and we walk downstairs. Through the glass of the front door, I can see that the sidewalk is packed with people, a line stretches down the street. Holy shit! I had no idea it would be this crazy. I pull out my phone and call Troy.

“Hey, man, what’s up?” he answers on the first ring.

“I need a favor. I need you to let me in the side entrance to the bookstore,” I say.

“Er, I don’t think I can. Sorry. Maybe try the front door?” he suggests.

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