Page 65 of Five Minute Man
Epilogue
Nine Months Later
Holly shifted in her chair again, trying to relieve some of the ache that had been plaguing her lower back for the last two hours. She smiled and greeted the seemingly unending stream of people lined up to get her to sign their books. Closing her eyes briefly, she tried to imagine Adam’s strong hands massaging her and felt instantly better.
As of that morning,Five Minute Manhad been among the top ten, most requested downloads on the major online retailers. The recent publicity had resulted in a surge of demands for her previously published books, as well. Holly declined nearly all the appearance requests she received on a daily basis now, but this was a special favor to the local bookstore that had been supporting her and showcasing her works all along.
“I loved this,” confided one rosy-cheeked grandmother to Holly, her crystal blue eyes sparkling. Eyes that looked remarkably like her son’s.
“Too bad it’s not real,” sighed a much younger, doe-eyed woman in line behind her.
“Oh, but it is,” the older woman said emphatically before Holly could comment.
“Really?” the brunette asked doubtfully.
“Oh, yes. It was like that for me and my Charlie.” She beamed, then turned to Holly. “And for you, too, wasn’t it?”
“Yes,” Holly confirmed, smiling back at her. Knowing that her mother-in-law had read their personal, and occasionally explicit, love story probably would have been more awkward if the woman wasn’t such an open-minded, self-professed fan of Holly’s work. The two had often chatted late into the night about possible plots and themes and alpha males, while Adam and his father puttered around the cottage. The fact that Adam’s mother was here now, when Holly’s own mother was too embarrassed to do the same, warmed her heart.
Of course, some of that might have to do with the fact that Holly was already three days past her due date and Adam had enlisted his entire family’s assistance to ensure she was never out of their sight. He was so protective that way, and Holly loved him for it.
“Wow. You are so lucky.”
“Yes,” Holly agreed, rubbing her distended belly as the first real labor pain hit. “Yes, I am.”
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