Nine

It doesn't make sense to be as nervous as I am. I've covered all my bases…at least, I think I have. Mom and Dad are far away for the weekend, Ronnie and the other team girlfriends and wives are all pre-occupied with their significant others, and none of the guys on the team would ever step foot in a place like this.

Sam's been bopping around the book shop like a fairy, a wide smile on her pixie-like face. She may be more excited about the signing than I am. It probably helps that my book contains the most popular trope all over bookstagram right now—and one of Sam's personal favorites: biker/book-girl romance. And the book has a pretty large following right now.

Even with all the online notoriety it's gained, I have zero expectations with how an in-person signing will go. I put the word out to all my newsletter subscribers, as well as posted about it on all my social media pages, but I haven't done any local advertising except for a small spread that Sam made for the newspaper—without my picture, of course.

It's not that I don't want my readers to know who I am, it's just that I'm not ready for my online persona to converge with my real life. My head aches each time I think about the amount of explaining I'd have to do to my parents if they found out.

Stepping back from my setup, I eye the table full of books one last time. Once again, I'm filled with thankfulness for my cover designer. She nailed the characters on the front cover, along with the bike that's a carbon copy of my own. I lean forward and straighten the corner of the book at the top of one of the stacks while my nerves skyrocket.

Will anyone show up? And if people do show up, will I run out of things to say? I'm usually only super talkative with my friends, like Ronnie and the guys, but strangers? Who knows. It's a weird feeling, simultaneously wanting people to come but also…not.

I run a hand through my hair when a voice sounds from behind me. "It looks great, Chantelle."

I turn and smile at Sam. "You think so?"

"I do." She crosses her arms and takes in my table full of books, stickers, and character art with a pleased expression. "The post I made on the community forum page has over a hundred comments."

My eyes blow wide as I stare her down. "What? You…you posted about this on a community forum?"

She shrugs like it's no big deal. "Of course. Any time there's something special going on, I post there. It generates excitement. Plus, all lattes will be half off during your signing." She waggles her eyebrows up and down before turning back toward the checkout counter.

I let out a little laugh as some of my nervousness dissipates. People will probably just be coming for the half-priced coffee, not to see me. Maybe if I keep thinking that, it'll take off some of the pressure. I move around my table and sink into the seat behind it. For the fifth time, I check how many copies I brought and make sure they're situated just right.

It's moments like these when I'm battling nerves that my tendencies go into overdrive. The coffee machine's whirring and the background music meld together as I mindlessly scroll through my phone for a few minutes. Sometimes this is the only thing that'll settle my nerves.

"Ready for this?" I raise my head to see Sam's grinning face above me. I swallow.

"As ready as I can be, I guess."

She holds up her hand for a high five. "Awesome. Good luck, Chantelle." Almost as soon as she turns around, two teenage girls appear before me. Both wear matching shy expressions, neither one seeming to want to speak first.

"Hi," I say to ease into my role. They're angled away from the table, but their eyes immediately lock on mine at my greeting.

"Hey," the blonde one says with a timid smile. She slings her backpack off her shoulders, then reaches in and pulls out…my book. Relief and excitement build together in my chest as she holds the book out toward me. "I was wondering if you could sign my book."

I don't have a mirror to check my expression, but there's a high possibility it's as bright as a waxing moon in the midst of a dark night sky. I am finally meeting my very first readers.

"I would love to sign your book," I say, gently taking the book from the girl.

"And mine too!" the dark-haired girl pipes up, drawing my attention to the book tucked under her arm.

"Absolutely." I flip the book's cover open and hold the pen aloft. "Who should I make this one out to?"

"Candy," the girl says with a beaming grin. I write a quick greeting on the title page, then sign my name and hand the book back before doing the same thing with her friend Sarah's book. Both girls tell me their favorite scenes from the book, including the sizzling kiss on the motorcycle. Of course.

They titter away like fangirls, and I breathe a contented sigh. Even if the only readers I get to see today are those two, it would feel like an accomplishment. But to my amazement, they are only the beginning. It's not long before the book shop becomes crowded with people, and lines start to form. I can scarcely believe all these people are here to meet me.

It feels like another confirmation that I'm doing the right thing by pursuing indie authorhood.

After an hour and a half, my hand begins to cramp from signing so many copies. Thankfully, most of my readers brought their own for me to sign, otherwise I'd have run out an hour ago.

After signing two books from a sweet mom and daughter duo, there's a slight pause in the line. Sam approaches me from the side. "Hey, how's it going?"

I peek up at her, a laugh bubbling up in my throat. "Honestly, I can't believe this is my life. It's going awesome."

"I'd say so." She glances around the bustling shop with pride. "I had a feeling today was going to be one for the books. I do feel sorry for you, though. It's been non-stop for almost two hours, and you've still got an hour left." Crossing her arms, she peers down at me. "Want to take a coffee break while the line has lulled a bit?"

I swear the moment she says coffee, caramel-flavored steam hits my nose. "Actually, that sounds amazing."

"Say no more," Sam says with a sweep of her arm. "I'll let everyone know you're taking a ten minute break." With that, she scurries back behind the checkout counter. The music stops abruptly, and her voice rings out in the shop over some kind of intercom system. "Excuse me, Big Hair Bookgoers, Ms. Evie Chandler will be taking a ten minute break from signing books. While you wait for her return, please take a few minutes to browse our newly added steampunk section or grab a half-priced coffee from the bar. Thank you."

After a crackle that reminds me of the school intercoms from the nineties, the music begins playing once again. I smile to myself as I rise from my seat and head back into the shelves full of books. Maybe I can get lost in the stacks just for a bit.