Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

JAY

Today is the event this town waits for each year. But there’s something about this year that makes it extra special. There's something that's happening here that is calling to the town, making them come out in droves to hear the happily ever after reading by their new favorite librarian.

Mrs. Holly has run this event for years, starting before I was even born. There have been many love stories told, along with mysteries, and angst and all the autobiographies you could want, but today is different. Today there is a feeling of expectation, a feeling of something more, bubbling to the surface.

Maybe they see it in me. Maybe they see it in the way we spend our time together in town. Maybe they see it in the happiness she exudes just by being her.

Last night, we went out in my boat and floated under the stars. We spoke of fears, loves, wants and desires. I’ve never had a more intimate night without having sex than I did then. And I know Nina Amoré is the one I need in my life. We’ve each taught each other so much in a short time. I’ve helped bring her love of books back. I’ve helped bring her out of her shell, even though she’s still worried about it all, she has no idea the strides she's conquered.

And me? I’m not afraid to tell the world my love for reading HEA’s have finally led me to my own.

Nina expressed her fear of public speaking. Even though she’s gained so much traction reading in front of the fifty who come to the book club, having to stand on stage with a microphone in front of twenty-five hundred is frightening.

Her love for the books is beginning to shine through once again, but I know her painful memories of being laughed at are coming to the surface. It’s one thing to read in front of those who share your same likes, but this is reading in front of grandfathers, business owners, high school coaches and teachers … those who may find romance offensive, the words and dirty love stories construed as filth.

Even though it's the furthest thing from it.

Maverick knocks on my door but enters before I can say come in, and Wes trails in with him. “Hey man, how's it going?”

“I’m just getting ready to head downtown. Are you coming?”

Mav looks nonplussed. “We wouldn’t miss this for the world!”

Wes claps me on the back. “You ready to give away your big surprise?”

Mav smirks. “Let’s see the ring man.”

I bark a laugh. “That will come but not today.” I shake my head. “But I could use a little moral support so let's get a move on and get down there.”

We leave my house and make the quick ten minute walk into town. The streets are lined with vendors and food trucks and the town is packed with wall-to-wall people.

“I need to find Nina. I’m sure she’s freaking out at the sight of everyone here today.”

“Alright man, let's head to the staging setup.”

We make a quick detour and I find Mrs. Holly and Hazel at the back of the main stage. The local band is currently playing and the crowd gathering in front is growing. Once Nina catches my eyes she makes a beeline toward me, throwing herself into my arms.

“Oh my god, I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Where else would I be?” I lift her face, kissing her lips. “You’re going to be fine, baby.”

Maverick steps up to us and Nina gives him a quick hug. “Thanks for coming, Mav. I know this isn’t your thing.”

He laughs. “Sexy scenes are always my thing.”

She groans and covers her face with her hands falling into my chest. I kiss the top of her head and shoot Mav a death glare. He laughs. “What? Reading porn is hot! You got any other sexy librarian friends I need to know about?”

I punch his arm and he yelps, and Nina laughs. “Leave him alone. I know what he’s trying to do.” She shakes her head and tsks him. “I can’t wait until a woman gets a hold of you, Mav.”

“Same, baby girl,” he says with a wink, and I glare at him, but he just laughs at me. “Jesus Jay, you're so easy!”

Mrs Holly comes running over to us and Maverick takes a second look. “Mrs. Holly! You need to be careful! Why are you running?”

I snicker and purse my lips when suddenly Mrs Holly slows and grabs onto Mavericks biceps. “Oh Maverick, I’m so glad you’re here. Can you help me to the front of the stage? I need to introduce Nina. We’re up next!”

“Of course.” He carefully helps her walk to the steps and they climb them together.

“You know she’s full of shit, right?” I say.

Nina laughs out loud, throwing her head back. “Oh my god, I thought I was the only one who noticed.”

“No way. She’s been playing this card for years. Mav feeds into it because he needs to be needed.”

“Nothing wrong with that.” She squeezes me tight once more.

“Listen, I'm going to be right here. You’re going to kill it up there. Don't think about anything and just imagine it's me you’re talking with. Then, I'll reward you tonight by writing out my own scene.”

She slaps at my chest. “Even your sexy promises are not helping right now. I want to throw up.”

“Yeah, that's definitely not sexy but we’re going to ignore that. I’m going to be in the front row and you're going to be just fine.”

“ Good afternoon, everyone!”

I feel her body lock up tight with me, but I have to urge her to get to the stage. She doesn’t know I’m about to make this super easy for her.

“I’d like to thank you all for coming today! This year's book event is extra special. We have a brand-new librarian in town and she has brought nothing but amazing love to our new romance book club! If you aren’t a part of it, I urge you to join today!”

“Oh god, not more people!”

I laugh. “Shhh, you're amazing.”

“Without further adieu I want to welcome Nina Amoré to the stage. We have all been enjoying her club, reading Bella Valentino’s latest release “The Road Home” and I can't wait to hear her share her favorite part of the book with you!”

The crowd claps and whistles and I walk her to the foot of the stairs. Kissing her one more time, “You’re fucking amazing. Now go out there and make those people fall in love!”

She takes a breath and turns and walks up the stairs. I see Mrs. Holly hand her a microphone and a book and they speak softly to each other.

I quickly find the sound guy and grab the mic he has waiting for me.

“Thanks man.”

“This is going to be epic, Jay. I couldn't be happier for you.”

I give him a high five and smile. It's just one more thing this town has given to me.

I hear Nina begin to read.

“...I’m afraid. I’m afraid to love again, to open up, to do something new. But then I met you, and the fear I had seemed to dissipate. The unknown was magical again and the opportunity that a real love was out there awakened my heart…”

As she begins to speak the next line, which is intended to be from the male point of view, it’s my cue, and I speak into the microphone as I walk onto the stage reading from the highlighted portion of the book.

“...You don’t need to be afraid…”

Nina jumps at my voice and the look of amazement, astonishment and then excitement on her face is everything I never knew I needed. I smile at her, continuing to read and walk closer.

“...I need you to know I’m all in, I’ve been all in since day one. I was just waiting for you to catch up, needing you to catch up. Tell me. Please tell me you're running this race alongside me. Trust the magic of new beginnings, sweetheart...”

I finish my paragraph and there's a bit of silence and I pull the mic away from my lips, “Baby, read your line.”

She quickly recovers, holding the mic back up and picks up where I left off.

“...I’ll never not be beside you. I’ll never not be thinking of you. You were the one who awakened my heart. It wasn’t this new town or new job. It was you. You were the piece I was missing, no matter where I went, the road home led me to you...”

I take her hand, pulling her in close, feeling relief at hearing her say the words.

“...Falling in love with an unexpected person at the most unexpected time is the best love story of all…”

The crowd cheers as we come together and kiss at the end of our lines. Mrs. Holly is standing to the side cheering the loudest, Wes and Hazel stand close together and Mav looks on with awe.

“I can’t believe you right now!”

“Believe it, baby.” I kiss her once more and turn toward the crowd raising my mic. “Just a few short weeks ago I met Nina Amoré and from the moment I saw her, I knew there was something special about her. She’s taken this town by storm and I know everyone who has come into contact with her knows exactly what I mean. She’s the sweetest woman who doesn’t know how good she is, but I’m here to remind her, she’s the best. And she's the best for me. Now I know why I’ve been alone for so long. Because I was waiting for her to find me.”

The crowd oohs and ahhs and I see Mrs. Holly wipe her tears. I hold Nina close. “Nina Amoré I had no idea there was a woman like you out there, but the love you've shown has taken me by surprise. I shouldn’t be surprised by finding you. You’re what I've dreamed about, what I've read about for years.

I turn to the crowd once more. “I’ve been reading romance novels since I was in high school. Mrs. Holly liked to pretend she didn’t know it was me, but she’s what has kept my standards high. You’ve all patiently waited for me to get my happily ever after and I’m happy to let you all know, I’ve found her.”

Mrs. Holly comes to us and takes the mic “I’m so happy to hear you say that, Jay. And we have one more surprise for everyone today. Bella Valentino, would you come to the stage?”

The crowd gasps in shock and Nina about falls over.

“Bella is here?” She asks incredulously.

“We couldn't have a National Read A Book Day without its star player, could we?” I kiss the tip of her nose as Bella comes to the stage with a mic in hand.

“Thank you everyone! When I heard the town was celebrating reading day with one of my books I couldn't resist. And when Mrs Holly reached out to let me know you had your own happily ever after from one of my books, I had to show up. Seeing you two fall in love together is why I write what I write. Your love for each other is so clear and I know a happy ever after is destined for your future. Thank you for including me in your day.”

Nina and Bella hug and I couldn't be happier that I could give her today. I don’t care that I've outed myself. I needed to come to terms with the idea that yes, this book is our secret, but my love for her has no secrets. It has no bounds and I want everyone to know.

I’m in love with Nina Amoré.

She was everything I had been missing for the last nine years and holding her now. I knew I'd never miss another moment.

THE END.