Page 153 of Pink and Country

“Turn out the organizer is a huge fan.” April’s eyes flared. “I didn’t buy my way in, I promise. But in exchange for a few pictures and a couple of autographs, she accepted to meet me. She gave me twenty minutes to sell her on why she should make room for you at this event since they were already full, and you accepted none of their invitations in the past.”

Inside, I was a nervous wreck. A pile of mush.

“What did you tell her?”

“All about Amelia’s Kingdom . How King Edward portrayed the perfect antihero in book one, only to become the kingdom’s savior in the sequel. Your story is such an emotional ride. It’s brilliant—”

April’s eyes flared. “Wait. You read my books?”

“Babe, I didn’t just read them. I researched them too. Found online forums devoted to your story and chatted with your most dedicated fans. There are thousands of them. It’s amazing what you’ve created. Anyway, after talking to them, I came up with more points to convince the organizer you belong here. All I did was state the truth. You do belong here.”

April stared at me, her mouth agape, and her eyes so big, she looked like a doe in the middle of the road at night.

“Are you mad? Did I overstep here?”

April cleared her throat. “Mad? Carter, how could I be mad? I’m bewildered. I’m excited. I’m—I don’t know what I am, but mad isn’t it. Jill and I discussed doing some events like this for a while. Before—before you, I wasn’t ready. But now— Now I think I am.”

“So, you don’t mind people knowing you’re Avery Davis, which, by the way, I love a lot?” April shook her head. “You told me once you cherish your privacy.”

April laced her fingers through mine. My heart flipped, and I held my breath.

“After everything we’ve been through, I’m done being afraid.” Warmth rolled down my back. “How did you find out my pen name? Because if I remember correctly, I told you I’d have to kill you if you ever found out.”

I raised my hands in surrender. “No need to kill me. You’re not the one who told me. I figured it out on my own. And maybe with Reed’s help. Don’t forget, he and I spent an entire day together. Guys talk, babe.” April hid her grin behind her fist.

Her eyes locked on mine, and she wrinkled her face. “Maybe I’ll let you live. You’re kind of cute right now. And you organized this,” she said, motioning around with her hand.

“Thanks, Bubble Gum. I’m relieved my life is safe.” I slid the back of my hand across my forehead, and we both burst into a fit of laugher. “April, I love you. You’re amazing. Listen, this is your day. I want you to make the most of it. You’ve always been understanding and selfless about my career. All I’m saying is that it’s my turn to do something for you.” I inhaled, my lungs filling with a mix of oxygen and pride. “Are you ready?” April nodded.

Hand in hand, we entered the room. It had twenty-foot-high ceilings, navy-blue rugs covering the concrete floor, vivid-yellow tablecloths, and yards of bookshelves filled with the most popular fantasy novels on the market. Colorful and enlarged book covers and life-size cardboard cutouts of some of those books’ main characters covered the walls. I didn’t have enough eyes to take everything in. I wasn’t some fantasy novel expert, but I knew, without a doubt, fans would love this event. Magic filled the air. As we neared April’s appointed table, Jill, her agent, met us. She was a short woman with medium-length chocolate-brown hair and eyes even darker. I held out my hand for her to shake. If it wasn’t for her, I might not have succeeded in getting April a table here today.

“Nice to see you again, Mr. Hills.” She pivoted on her heels to face my fiancée . God, I loved that word. “You’ve got yourself a really tenacious boyfriend, April,” she said as she hugged her. “You’re lucky to have him in your corner. I’m glad we’re doing this together. It’s about time to let the world know you’re the talent behind Amelia’s Kingdom . I can’t wait for book number three to be out. Just wait until you see the cover the graphic designer sent over.” Jill grabbed April’s shaky hand. “Let’s do this.”

April eyed me sideways, and I nodded.

I caught her elbow and brushed my lips over hers. “Go, shine, Fairy. I’ll be right here if you need me.” I wasn’t about to steal her thunder. She worked too hard to get here. April offered me a shy smile as I stepped to the back of the room where Taylor waited for me.

For the next seven hours, I watched the woman I loved talk to her fans, take pictures with them, and sign so many books that I feared she’d be short by the end of the day. The entire time, we exchanged glances and grins. The fondness on my woman’s face was worth sitting in this uncomfortable chair forever. The electricity between us could light up the entire convention center.

When did I get so lucky?

My heart was full. Every single piece came back and built my most precious organ up again.

* * *

“Do you want a little privacy?” We’d been back in Green Mountain for three days. After the book fair, we spent a month in Hawaii and the next in Oregon because I wanted Stud and Belinda to meet April. As expected, she fit right in with my friends. They all fell in love with one another.

April used this time off to work on her book. It was being edited right now. Life was good.

“Forget it, woman. If you’re not holding my hand, I’m not doing it.” I flipped the torn envelope between my fingers. “What if I can’t deal with the truth?” I rubbed the back of my neck. My throat was itchy, my mouth dry, and my heart a muddle. “What about Jack?”

April’s hold on my hand tightened. “Listen to me, Carter. You’ve been avoiding this moment for six years, but it’s unhealthy. It’s time. You made me promise to not let you pull out from this. You’re doing this. Face the music.” I frowned. April shook her head and sighed. “No pun intended, Country Boy. Let’s do this.”

April dropped a kiss on my shoulder, and I caught her contagious grin.

“I love you. Whatever’s in this envelope, it will never change how I feel about you.”

Carefully, like it might explode, I tore the flap open.