“Okay, now I’m impressed by your wealth.”
Juliana freaking De La Rosa is standing only thirty feet away from me. The golden bookstore lights shine down on her like a halo, and I’m tempted to run straight into her arms. Instead, I play it cool, only because Rowan holds on to my hand like he’s afraid I might disappear or get arrested for stalking.
Surprisingly, Rowan doesn’t complain as we jump into line with all the other book lovers. It’s a complete one-eighty from us standing in the Dreamland lines. This time, he smiles as I take in my surroundings. He holds on to my books like they’re a national treasure, and I’m pretty sure I could kiss him stupid if it weren’t for the people surrounding us.
I comment on the woman’s bag in front of me and we end up becoming friends instantly. Katie and I compare our list of book boyfriends with one another and discuss what we expect will happen in The Duke Who Seduced Me’s season finale. Rowan even offers his analysis of the show which makes Katie about two breaths away from passing out.
When Rowan uses the bathroom, she asks me if he has any single brothers she can meet. My hackles go up, but Katie laughs and seems unaware of who stands next to her.
The line moves at a snail’s pace. By the time we get to the front, Katie and I befriended her neighbor and mine, turning our duo into a quadruplet. Rowan is a good sport about it all, and I feel kind of guilty I spend our date fangirling with other book nerds.
“Your turn.” He nudges me with the palm of his hand straight into Juliana’s breathing space.
“Hi! I’m a huge fan.” I hold out my shaky hand.
The wrinkles around Juliana’s brown eyes tighten as she looks up at me from her table. She has the most ridiculous outfit on that looks like something straight out of a pinup catalog, and I instantly fall in love with her. Her graying hair is secured in a perfect ponytail, and her side bangs swoop across her aging forehead. It’s exactly something I’d expect from the shows my mom loves to watch.
“My, my. Aren’t you a looker!” Juliana stands and crushes my cheeks between her hands in the most grandmotherly gesture.
Oh my God, Juliana is touching me!
Would it be weird if I ask Rowan to snap a picture?
Yeah, probably. I withhold the urge and take a few deep breaths of Juliana’s heavy perfume.
Juliana’s grin stands out against her red lips. “Rowan, you didn’t tell me your girlfriend is as cute as a button.”
Rowan? She knows Rowan?! Why didn’t he say anything?
And wait…GIRLFRIEND?!
He clears his throat. “Zahra isn’t my girlfriend.”
My stomach takes a dive off a very long cliff.
Her eyes slide back to mine. “Well, my dear, you need to lock this man down immediately.”
I ignore her because hello, she knows Rowan. “I had no idea you knew Rowan!”
Am I dreaming?
Rowan must read my face or something because he pinches my arm for me.
“Hey!”
He shrugs. I grin like an idiot because it reminds me of our first meeting. He really does remember everything.
Juliana pats Rowan’s cheek like a mother would. “He scheduled this entire event for you because he said you’re my biggest fan.”
I think the room shifts. “Are you serious?!” I turn and look up at him. “How?”
“Ah, you didn’t tell her,” Juliana speaks up.
“You planned this whole thing?” I gape at the man who planned an entire book event for me.
“No. I had help.”