by C. J. Corbin
The clock finally read nine, and I could call Nancy now. Her rule was never to call before nine. She answered the phone in her bright and chipper nine o’clock voice. I invited her to join me on the terrace for breakfast. She thought breakfast was a grand idea and let me know she would be right over.
While we ate breakfast, I shared my Luc experience with Nancy. She made the appropriate disgusted noises and then we both laughed about it.
“Should I mention it to Sam? Sam would fry his butt.”
I grimaced, “While I think he probably deserves it, I’m sure he does it all the time. I think the insult I paid him was punishment enough.”
Nancy looked at me while she waved her coffee cup at me, “What?”
“I told him I felt nothing from his kiss.”
“Really? He was damn attractive.”
“I thought about Michael when Luc kissed me and how much better I liked Michael’s kisses.”
Nancy laughed, “Oh girlfriend, you are so gone. It is too funny. The two of you are in love even though neither of you said the words yet.” She took the last gulp from her cup, “You know I have never seen you like this. When we met, you were a torn up woman. Michael has thrown you for a loop, you didn’t expect it, but it happened anyway. He has swept you off your feet, and I’m sure by the look of the flowers he’s feeling the same way.”
I leaned over for the coffee pot and refilled both of our cups. “Oh stop it.”
She laughed again, “Just because I stop talking about it doesn’t make it go away.”
“Enough.” I said.
“Okay, okay,” Nancy giggled with her hands up in surrender. “I set up massages and facials for us today. They come up here. I thought it would be fun to do it together. We can have them set up out here in the shade.”
That is why I loved Nancy so much. Her teasing was always gentle, and when I wanted her to stop, she always did. Our friendship had come along when I needed her most. The fact that she was also an amazing agent was secondary, because she would always be my friend first.
We thoroughly pampered ourselves all day; it was almost a feeling of pure self-indulgence. The book party tonight would be a beach theme. From the terrace, we watched workers setting up for the party on the beach. They brought in a complete dance floor and laid it directly on the beach. Meanwhile in another corner, a catering tent was built and the barbeques were placed outside. The workers laid another floor. Tables and chairs were set up on the floor. When they started setting up the lighting and the stage, I gasped.
“Oh my Nancy, you’ve got to see this.” I pointed to the thirty-foot billboards they were constructing. The billboards were photos of the book cover and me. “Don’t tell me I look like that.” I never thought I’d see myself blown up to thirty feet.
Nancy looked over the terrace railing, “Wow, that’s cool. I’ve got to get a picture of this.” She took her cell phone out of her pocket and snapped a picture. “They’re doing a nice job with this.”
I just stood at the railing not uttering a word. I could not believe the size of the pictures.
“Oh, come on now, you’ve had other book parties. You can’t stand there gawking like a tourist.” She laughed.
I turned and looked at her and said dryly, “I am a tourist. I’d like to see your face plastered up there. I can imagine what my face must look like close up.” I shuddered.
Nancy laughed again. “Oh Elizabeth,” she patted me on the shoulder. “Enjoy it, it means your novel is hot. That’s a good thing in my book.” She turned and picked up her room key and her bathing suit cover-up. “It’s time for me to get ready for the party. I suggest you do the same. Are you wearing your hair down?”
I nodded. “I hope it’s not too windy.”
Nancy smiled, “That’s what the tents are for. I’ll come and get you at seven. We’re meeting Sam and Martha in the lobby.”
“Luc isn’t coming?” I asked, hoping the answer would be no. I felt stupid after what happened last night.
“No.” Nancy answered slowly with a sly grin crossing her face. “It seems that he was called back to New York suddenly.”
My hand went to my mouth, “Oh Nancy you didn’t say anything did you?”
She smiled, “No I was a good girl.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“It seems that you’re not the only one he tried to get friendly with.” She walked out toward the door. “Be ready okay?”
Nancy left me on the terrace. I watched the party preparations with interest. It was exciting that all of this was for me. My family would have never believed it. Before I turned my laptop off and went inside, I checked my email. Both Dad and Lisa had sent congratulatory emails. Tammy had also sent an email with a picture attachment. The picture was of her and the four dogs. I laughed because it appeared as if it took a lot to get all the dogs to sit still. The email read,
Dear Elizabeth,
We all send many congratulations on your new book release. Everyone is going to love it! I know I did. Your babies are doing great but they miss you. They’re keeping active, and all four of them are running with Dad. Since Topper has a hard time climbing the stairs up to my room he has been sleeping with Dad. Dad even built him special steps so Topper can get up on the bed. They are being old guys together.
Love and kisses to you from us all (even Dad, he’s with the eagles today.)
The email made me laugh. I could see Michael and Topper cuddled together.
Finally, I went inside to get ready for the evening. My dress was hanging in the closet. A retro-inspired strapless dress, the fitted bodice had boning and smocked back. The sweeping skirt was full with slouchy, oversized patch pockets. The brightly colored fabric with large flowers in magenta, blues, and greens would go with the beach theme perfectly, and my magenta t-strap sandals complimented the dress nicely.
Nancy and I met Sam and Martha in the lobby. We all walked out to the party entrance together. Since both the print and television media were covering the event, it would be a busy evening for me. Nancy squeezed my hand as we entered and I put on a bright smile. A steel band played in one corner near the dance floor and the champagne cocktails were already flowing.
Sam signaled the band to stop playing. He stood on the stage to give a short introductory speech, “It is my pleasure to introduce this little lady to you. A very smart editor who saw the potential in Elizabeth introduced her to us six years ago. Trouble Comes Deep is Elizabeth’s tenth book with us and her sixth Jessica book. Believe me when I say she does not disappoint with this outing. Jessica is as feisty as ever and the way Elizabeth describes her, I wouldn’t mind meeting her myself. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to bring out our New York Times bestselling author, Elizabeth Sommars.”
Of course I was beet red walking onto the stage. Sam gave me a big hug while we waited for the applause to die down. “Thank you all for coming tonight, though I’m not sure what all the fuss is about.”
Someone in the audience yelled out to me, “There’s page 75!”
I laughed, “Well, yeah there is always page 75. Get a little further in the book, it gets better!” Everyone laughed with me. “So, enjoy all the good food, this fantastic band, and of course enjoy Trouble Comes Deep.” I turned to get off the stage and then turned back around. “Oh yeah, you better give me a good review too! I know who you are!”
The evening went smoothly. I gave the interviews everyone wanted, had my picture taken repeatedly, and signed copies of the book. I never get to eat during these events, but Nancy was able to sneak a few bites to me to stave off the hunger pangs because the smell of the barbeque was driving me nuts.
My favorite part was talking to the bookstore owners. More than one regaled me with stories of anxious fans waiting for the book to come out. Fans knew that most stores had their copies early although the stores had to abide by the release date. The bribery stories were the best. More than one fan had offered to duplicate page 75 in order to get an advance copy
. I would seriously have to rethink the erotic angle in my books.
By the end of the evening, exhaustion had overtaken me. Nancy managed to have the caterers prepare a box of food for us and have it delivered to my room. When we arrived back upstairs even though it was late, we laid our little picnic out on the terrace table. Nancy opened the bottle of champagne and poured two glasses.
“Here’s to our Jessica.” Nancy lifted her glass and we both toasted each other.
I took a sip of the champagne. “Oh, that’s yummy. Thanks.” I took a bite of the chicken. “This is yummy too. I am starving.”
“I always tell you to eat before the party. You know how it is. Everyone else gets to eat except you,” she said.
We ate, talked, and giggled especially as we emptied the bottle of champagne. Tomorrow was book signing day. The signing would go from eleven to five, and then the flight to New York.
I checked the clock after Nancy left. Two AM, not too late to call Michael, I was hoping he was home. He answered the phone right away.
“Babe, what are you doing up so late?”
I giggled. “It’s not so late where you are.”
“Yeah, but it’s late where you are.”
I could hear an engine running in the background. “Are you in the jeep?”
“I’m on my way home from the eagles.” He said.
“Tammy sent me an email and told me you were with the eagles this afternoon, she didn’t say you were going to stay all night.”
“It’s not all night. I’m just pulling onto our road. Did you like the picture?” Michael asked.
I laughed, “You took the picture? I wondered how she was able to keep the dogs still and take the picture. Yeah it was cute. Thank you.”
“We figured you were missing us.”
“It would have been better if you were in the picture too.” I whispered.
He grew silent on the phone too and then finally spoke, “Are you missing me too?”
“Yeah,” I replied. Both of us were quiet. “Michael, are you still there?”
He chuckled lightly, “Yeah, sorry. It’s been awhile since someone has missed me.” Michael cleared his throat. I heard the car door slam. “Well, someone else has been missing me too.”
I heard the dogs barking in the background. It sounded like a zoo. I could imagine the four dogs crowding around him, jumping up for attention.
“Who else has been missing you?”
“Topper!” he exclaimed. “He and I are best buds now. He gets a cookie just before bed, and then he snuggles between my legs and goes to sleep. Of course I can’t move the rest of the night for fear of disturbing him.”
I laughed, “Oh Michael! You don’t let him eat in bed and get crumbs all over do you?”
He laughed with me. “Absolutely, Topper gets anything he wants.”
“Great, you’re spoiling him. You know if you move your legs he’ll move to the bottom of the bed.” I said.
“Now you tell me. With me he’s like dead weight.” He said. “I don’t want to cut this short, but you need to go to bed and I need to eat. I’m starving. We’ll talk tomorrow okay?”
I almost nodded but realized he couldn’t see me. “Yeah, sure, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
We disconnected and sadness swept me immediately. I wanted to be at home. I took a deep breath and told myself to snap out of it. He had been right. The morning would come early for me. Packing was on the agenda before the book signing since we were leaving for the airport immediately after the event. A combination of the day’s events and the champagne brought sleep quickly.
When the wakeup call came at eight, I growled over the phone because the voice on the other side announcing the time was far too pleasant for such an early hour. I showered, dressed, and called for room service breakfast, as I said before, my favorite.
While I waited for breakfast, I dried my hair. I would wear it down; everyone was used to my hair down and curly. I was almost finished with my packing and finally there was a knock on the door. I expected room service but Nancy was there also. The waiter set up our breakfast outside on the terrace while I finished in the bedroom.
Nancy had already dug into the croissants and coffee by the time I joined her. “All finished?” she asked waving a croissant at me.
I nodded sitting down opposite her and pouring my coffee. I took long drinks of coffee and then water. “Yeah, all done.”
Nancy handed me a small box wrapped in colorful paper and a big bow. I figured it was the final copy of my book. Traditionally she always presented me with a copy of the book on the release date.
“I wonder what this is,” I said tearing off the wrapping paper.
“I guess you’ll just have to open it to see.” She said with a mischievous glint in her eye.
Inside the box was indeed my book and a small tissue wrapped item was tucked underneath. Quickly opening the package, I pulled out a small cell phone.
“Oh Nancy,” I exclaimed!
“You can’t go through another two weeks without a cell phone. It’s just one of those disposable ones, I think I put enough minutes on it, unless you and Michael have phone sex again.” She said while rolling her eyes and laughing.
I turned it on and saw Michael’s picture on the screen. “How did you do this?” I asked.
“You should know that I’m quite clever with computers and people’s websites.”
“You also programmed Michael’s number in too?” I looked at her, “I can’t believe it.”
“Lisa and your dad’s are in there too. Maybe now you won’t need to borrow mine anymore.” She grinned like the Cheshire cat.
I hugged her. “Thank you for taking such good care of me.”
She kept on grinning, “Let’s eat! Even after last night’s feast, I’m starving!”
We finished breakfast and had our luggage loaded into the limousine. I couldn’t say that I was sorry to be leaving my white room behind. Too much white, I was constantly afraid of getting something dirty. A line was already forming when we arrived at the bookstore. Stepping out of the limo, I waved to the fans waiting in line and their cheering greeted me.
The store was ready for us. After the introductions, they put me behind the table and placed a large nonfat latte next to me. Yes! They were going to take very good care of me.
At eleven, the doors opened and everyone came streaming in. I never had trouble connecting with my fans. We spoke the same language. There were shy admirers, and bold ones who wanted kisses and hugs. The store had an unobtrusive security guard nearby so I did not mind. I chuckled when more than one person asked me to sign page 75. I certainly started something on that page. Sex was a familiar scene in my books, remember my “he knew her and she knew him” cadence. The fans comments always interested me.
My hosts brought me a soda and sandwich at three o’clock, but I was so busy with the fans that I didn’t want to stop to eat. I asked them to wrap up the sandwich for me, and I would have it on the way to the airport after the signing. At four, the line showed no signs of slowing down. I began to work faster. Our flight to New York was at seven. I started to speed up the autographs, and we began to limit the pictures. Nancy finally threw me into the limousine at five and it was a mad dash to the airport.
“Elizabeth, I never thought you would stop yakking. My gosh!” She said as she gave me half of the sandwich she unwrapped.
I took a bite out of my half and a gulp of soda, “Sorry. You know how I am. People wait in the line so long. I hate to let somebody down.”
She nodded and munched on her sandwich, “That’s why you’re so good at what you do. By the way, what’s with page 75? I’m going to have to reread that section.”
I laughed, “I think it’s because it takes place underwater.”
Even Nancy colored at the thought, “Well, oh my. Yes, I do understand that now.”
That was a surprise for me to have been able to embarrass Nancy. Oh boy, I thought, it is going to be quite a
convention next week in Las Vegas. My colleagues are going to have a field day with me.
The three-hour flight was uneventful. A waiting limousine took us from JFK to Manhattan. We checked into the hotel at midnight. The room while nice could not compare to my white suite in Miami. This suite had two adjoining bedrooms, and we were sharing which actually delighted us.
As we rode up in the elevator, Nancy confirmed with the bellman that room service was still available. “That’s why I like New York,” she said, “You know the city that never sleeps. I’m starving!”
I nodded, “Me too. The sandwich we had on the way to the airport just didn’t do it.”
Nancy laughed, “I couldn’t believe it, only snacks on the plane tonight, and we were in first class too.”
I could tell the bellman was biting his tongue, two silly women talking about food. He opened the doors into the suite and Nancy spotted them first, the roses on the table. “I bet I know who these are for,” she said, “and who they are from.” She snapped up the card and the outside of the envelope had my name written on it.
I read the card, “I’ve got a crush, my baby, on you. Michael.” It made me smile. Michael was being extra cute, and it finally occurred to me, he was using Frank Sinatra songs on the cards. The roses were beautiful and this time there were nine pink roses surrounding three red ones.
Nancy rolled her eyes, “I’ll call room service while you go into your room and call Michael.”
I almost skipped into the room and had the phone out before the door shut.
Michael answered the phone, “Hello?” His deep masculine voice gave me a thrill.
“Hi! It’s me.” I said gleefully. I sat in the chair by the window and turned the light on.
“Babe?” He asked.
“Oh, this is a temporary cell phone number.” I explained and then continued, “Thank you for the beautiful roses. You are spoiling me.”
Michael chuckled, “I can’t spoil you enough. I’m glad you like them.”
“Like them? I love them and I love the card too.” I said softly. “And, I’m not doing anything for you.”
