Page 87 of Loved Out Loud

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“I wasn’t aware I had a choice about bringing him everywhere I go.”

“You don’t.”

I laugh incredulously. “So then why are you jealous?”

“It’s a bit irrational.”

“You think?”

His hands move up my thighs. “Just panties, huh?”

“Yep. Wanna distract me?”

“Hell yeah.” He flips me onto my back and does just that for the rest of the night.

Sierra and I sit side by side in the lobby cafe sipping vanilla lattes and going over the two signings I’m doing this weekend. The first is at a cute romance only bookstore, and the second is at a large chain location off Michigan Avenue. I’m obviously more excited about the former, not that I don’t enjoy all the signings. There’s just something about being in a bookstore surrounded by love stories that feels so special.

“How’s the new book coming along?” Sierra asks before lifting a cinnamon crumble muffin to her lips.

“Good. I’ve hit a good stride with the story and everything is flowing well. All the characters are behaving.”

She chuckles. “That’s great. When do you think you’ll have the first draft ready to send to your editor?”

“I should be ready by the time we hit Seattle.”

“Really? That soon?”

“Yeah. I’m at seventy-five thousand words as of this morning.”

She doesn’t need to know that much of my productivity the past couple days has been due to the need to escape my thoughts. I declined sex with Stone for the first time last night because I was so focused. It felt like a big step. I’m not usually one to say no, too afraid that whoever I was with at the time would leave me or become angry.

Stone didn’t do anything of the sort. He smiled, kissed my forehead, and went down the hall to play video games with Xander. I know he and I aren’t in a relationship or anything, but, for some reason, turning him down and being met with respect like that made it feel like we could be.

“Incredible. Maybe this tour was actually a stroke of genius.”

“Maybe.” I’m certainly enjoying it.

“Everything still good with Blue Sunday and a certain frontman?”

“Yes.” A smile creeps across my face. “I couldn’t be more surprised by the way they’ve let me into the group.”

“I’m not. You’re smart and funny. Gorgeous, obviously. Magnetic.”

“Okay, slow your roll before my ego outgrows the booth.”

“No. You deserve to hear all the good things, regardless of how uncomfortable compliments are.”

“I hear plenty of good things right now. The other morning I was out for an early breakfast with Stone, and one of the servers walked up and asked for my autograph. It was the first time that had happened.”

“Babe. You’re legit now. I bet by the time the next book comes out, it’ll happen more and more.”

I loved it, but I’m not sure I’m ready for all my anonymity to be gone. I like walking the streets of New York with no one recognizing me. There’s too much of a hermit inside me to desire true fame.

My phone vibrates on the table with a text from Jade.

Jade: Girls night tonight?

I look up at Sierra. “Jade wants to know if we want a girls night?”