Page 97 of Loved Out Loud
After she’s gone and the door clicks into place, I cross the lush carpet and come up behind Hazel. She’s lost to writing and normally I have enough self-control not to interrupt her. But not this time.
I lean over her, wrapping my arms around her waist. I can barely make out the sound of the music she’s listening to. It’s a pop album she favors when she’s writing happy parts of the story. Watching how music adds to her writing process has been one of my favorite parts of this tour.
I’ve always known the power of music to heighten lived experiences. People listen at work and in their cars to pass the time. Music nourishes the soul in good times and in bad. But I’ve never given much thought to how other creatives use it to help focus the stories they tell with their chosen mediums.
She smiles up at me, and it finally reaches her eyes. I feel like I’ve been waiting a thousand years for this smile when in reality it’s only been ten days.
“How’s it going?” I ask when she pulls her headphones off.
“So good. I’m in the part of the story where everything is just flowing so fast. I wish I could download the thoughts from my brain straight onto my computer without trying to funnel them through my fingers first.”
“Love that.” I run my nose along hers as my fingers slide into her silky strands of hair.
She lifts her lips to mine. Her lips part, tongue flicking against my lips in invitation. My hand grips the hair at the nape of her neck, pulling until I have full access to deepen the kiss. Warmth blooms in my chest, spreading through my limbs in tidal waves as she gives in to me.
It’s love.
I break the kiss but don’t move away. My eyes sting as I look down at her. She cups my face, concern creasing her forehead as she watches me come to the realization that I’m in love with her.
“Are you okay?” she asks quietly.
“Yes,” I rasp, fighting to stay steady and not blurt the thoughts out while I’m overcome with emotion. I clear my throat. “Are you excited for the signing today?”
“Yes, Sierra said the staff at the bookstore here seems amazing. I can’t wait to meet them.”
“I’m glad you’re excited. I actually have a little surprise for you before the signing so make sure you’re ready to go an hour earlier than usual.”
“What is it?”
“I’m not going to tell you, little Archer. It’ll ruin the surprise.”
She pouts. “What if it’s a bad surprise?”
“It’s not,” I say with a laugh. “I’m going to go take a shower.”
“Want some company?” Her eyes gleam.
“Hell yeah.” I pull her out of her chair. “As if it’s even a question.”
“I have surprises for you,” I tell Hazel as she stands in front of the mirror checking her outfit for the fiftieth time.
“Surprises plural?” She turns and looks at me over her shoulder.
“Yes. We need to leave now so we don’t miss any of them.” I tug on her hand. “You look beautiful, let’s go.”
“Fine, fine,” she mumbles. “Let me grab my purse and slip my shoes on.”
I’m practically vibrating with excitement, and she’s definitely noticed. I can’t wait to see her face when she walks onto the stage and sees her mom and grandma. I’ve never wanted to make someone happy in this way before. Maybe that makes me an asshole because my motivations have never been purely selfless until now.
“You are really pumped about whatever the surprise is,” she says with a smile as we descend down on the elevator.
“You will be, too.” I grab her hand and pull her through the lobby and to the car waiting for us at the curb.
“No security?”
“Nope. They’re coming after the first surprise.”
“Aren’t you worried about getting swarmed?”
