Page 35 of An Inconvenient Plan
The women quickly settled down, murmuring their understanding of Claire’s need for privacy. Soon everyone was seated back in the circle.
Hailey sat next to Mad, across the circle from him. She pulled an e-reader from her purse, glancing over at him. “I usually read aloud a favorite passage for discussion, but before I do, I’m just wondering, Josh, if you’re here as a fan of the book or to make fun of it.”
He could feel Claire’s eyes burning into him, urging him to say the right thing. Claire’s words echoed in his head:She needs to know you respect and care about her enough to take an interest in what she loves.
He cleared his throat. “I respect the author’s work and respect you, I mean, everyone here who enjoyed it.”
Hailey’s lips curved slowly into a gentle smile, her lashes fluttering down. “That’s nice, thank you. So you really read the book?”
“Yup.”
Mad pointed at his jacket, which he now saw had a bulky outline from the gift. “Looks like he brought it with him. So old school, Josh, getting the paperback.”
“Is it signed?” Hailey asked. “I missed the limited stock of signed copies at Book It.”
“It’s signed,” he replied and then clamped his mouth shut. Signed by the author, yes, but it wasn’t the book club’s selection. It was her gift book.
“Can I see what she wrote?” Hailey asked. “I heard she writes something different in each one.”
“Yeah, pass it around,” Mad urged, standing and crossing over to him. She held out her hand. “Lemme see.”
He gave his sister his best intimidating stare. “No.”
“Why not?” Mad demanded.
“It’s private.” He glared at his little sister. “Take a seat,” he growled.
Mad’s brown eyes danced with amusement. “Whatcha hiding, Joshie?”
“Nothing,” he snapped.
She lifted a hand to muss his hair. He pulled out of her reach, and she snagged his jacket, racing back to her seat. Damn, he’d fallen for the head fake out.
He could forcibly take it back, but no doubt Mad would give him a fight. She was a blackbelt, well used to battling her big brothers. He didn’t want a brawl with his sister. On the other hand, he didn’t want to be publicly humiliated.
Mad fished out the gift.
“Put it back,” he growled. “It’s not for you.”
She stared at it. “Oh, wow.” She snort-laughed. “You actually got it?” She flipped open the front cover. “Signed and everything. That’s special.” She handed it to Hailey, saying solemnly, “It’s for you.”
The women all spoke at the same time:
“What book is it?”
“Who’s the author?”
“Why did Josh get it for you?”
He slouched in his seat, his eyes going to half-mast. Bleakness warred with embarrassment. He’d wanted to give it to her in private while he made the case for why he was relationship material. Now everyone would chime in on it. Hell.
Hailey sounded surprised, her voice high. “I, uh, don’t know why, but it’sAccidentally Pregnant by the Cowboy, signed to me by T.L. Frieze. It says, Hailey, Ride On! Enjoy your very own cowboy. She put a little cowboy hat and then her name.”
The hair on the back of his neck stood on end, and he straightened in his seat. Why did Hailey sound so surprised? Mad had told him this was Hailey’s favorite book of all time and she’d always wanted a signed copy. He’d special ordered it from the author’s website and paid extra for express shipping.
He sent Mad a death glare.
She stuck out her tongue.
