Page 112 of Claim to Fame

“Oh, and some of those little buffalo chicken wonton things,” Gavin added.

“You’ve got it.” When the waitress looked up, she froze, almost as though she were seeing them for the first time. Her eyes locked on Ethan and widened, her eyebrows shooting up. “Oh my God, it’s you.”

Ethan glanced over his shoulder and looked around the table in confusion. “Me?”

“You’re Slade Hardcastle,” she breathed. Beside him, Hannah stiffened and turned slowly to look at him. He could feel his friends’ eyes all swing in his direction, a tense hush falling over the table. His stomach flipped, but the waitress didn’t notice the change her announcement had wrought. “I am such a fan. I’ve listened to all of your audiobooks.”

“Thank you,” he said slowly, as though testing the words. With the hand that wasn’t wrapped around Hannah, he reached out to shake the waitress’ hand. “I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the books.”

“So much!” she squealed. She glanced around the table, as though suddenly realizing how still everyone else had become, and paled. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have bothered you.”

“No bother,” Ethan said with a reassuring smile.

Hannah glanced between Ethan and the waitress. “Would you like an autograph?” she asked, gesturing towards the notepad still clutched in the woman’s hands.

“That would be amazing!” she said, a look of relief washing over her.

Ethan accepted the notepad, but he paused with the pen hovering over the paper.

“You okay?” Hannah asked.

“Yeah. I’m great.” A smile stole over his face as he scribbled a signature somewhat resembling his pseudonym and handed the notepad back to the waitress, feeling lighter.

“Thank you!” she said, clutching the notepad to her chest. “Your food will be right out.” Then she scampered off into the kitchen.

Baz took a sip of his Scotch. “That was fucking weird.”

“Dad, you’re a celebrity,” Tessa laughed.

“I see your lady friend has returned,” Mrs. White said, appearing at the side of their table. “Welcome back, dear.”

“Thanks, Mrs. White,” Hannah said.

“It will be nice to have a challenge at these trivia nights again,” Mrs. Kemp said as she joined them.

“Jesus Christ, they travel in packs,” Baz muttered.

“What’s that, Sebastian?” Mrs. Blumenthal asked.

“Nothing, Mrs. B,” Baz intoned.

“Judy, did you leave Father West alone with Ruth?” Mrs. Blumenthal asked, an admonishment in her tone.

“I’m sure Caleb can handle himself,” Mrs. Kemp said. “I wanted to say hello to Hannah.” Then, turning to Hannah. “Hello!”

“Hello,” Hannah laughed.

Ethan’s heart was so full he thought his chest might burst, all those holes that had haunted him for years filling themselves in. He leaned over and pressed a kiss to Hannah’s cheek.

“Hello to you too,” she said, turning to him with a glimmer in her eyes.

Mrs. White smiled, shooting a knowing look at Ethan before turning back to Hannah. “I hope we’ll see you at next month’s book club. We’ll be reading AK Wild’s latest release.”

Hannah grinned. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

After the grandma gang had left for their own table and the rest of the group had returned to bickering about whether or not avocados belonged in eggrolls, Hannah turned in Ethan’s arms, sliding a hand onto his thigh, her fingernails scratching lightly over the denim. “Maybe you’ll give me a private performance before it comes out,” she said.

“I thought I already did.” He caught her lips with his own, his fingers sliding into her hair and tipping her face up to his. Everything else fell away—the bar, his friends’ bickering, all the complications and detours they’d taken along the way. All that mattered, all that was left, was Hannah and the endless possibilities in front of them.

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