Colson turned to face him. “Like a dream. I had no idea people would respond so positively to the story. I just went with my gut.” He kissed Harper. “And my heart.”
“Hasn’t steered you wrong yet.” Harper sat up. “Are you ready for the signing today?”
Colson joined him against the headboard. “It’s funny. When I was first published, I did tons of them, all across the country. But for some reason, I’m nervous.”
“Considering how long it’s been, it’s natural. But your agent has everything in place.”
“Yeah, Ned’s a pro. First stop is Brooklyn, then the city. He said they’ve had a lot of interest at both locations.”
“You’ll have your own personal security there at your side.” Harper grinned. “The best of the best.”
“Modestly, he says.” Suddenly unsure, Colson bit his lip. “Thanks for taking the day off to be with me. That was a nice surprise.”
Harper’s brows drew together. “Surprise? Really? Where else would I be?”
Colson cast his gaze at his lap and twisted his fingers together. “Well…my ex never came to any signings. Only the parties celebrating the publishing wins. He felt that signings were part of my job, and he didn’t need to hang out and watch me.”
Harper’s pale eyes darkened to stormy gray. “Watching you is my favorite thing in the world. But seriously? That’s what people do for their partners. Be there to support them.”
Colson leaned in close. “That’s what the right partner does. I love you.”
Harper kissed him. “I love you too. And I’ll always have your back.” With a wink, he rolled on top of him. “And your front, and your…”
Colson covered Harper’s mouth with his, pushing his tongue past his lips. “Like I said, don’t give up the day job.”
Harper reached underneath and squeezed his ass. “You’re even hotter now that you’re a number one bestseller.”
Laughing, he pushed at Harper’s shoulder. “Move, you big lug.”
“And getting bigger, but I’ll save it for later.” With a smirk, Harper jumped out of bed. “Let’s shower and get dressed. I wantto make sure David understands what’s happening, since he hasn’t been to the city in a long time.”
At breakfast, Colson sat beside David to explain. “I wrote a book. Luis helped me. Today I’m going to meet a lot of people who want to buy this book.” He held up a paperback copy ofHunted Heart.“I’m going to sign the books and talk to them and take pictures. Harper and Luis will be there too. I wanted all my family there. So that’s why I asked Harper to bring you and Luis.” He caught Luis’s excited face. The man was in a suit and tie, and it touched Colson that he’d gone to so much trouble. “And both of you look very handsome.” They’d bought David a shirt and a tie, and maybe Colson was mistaken, but he thought David’s smile was a bit brighter and his eyes more focused.
Harper finished loading the dishwasher and checked his watch. “We’d better get going. This store we can walk to.”
Colson checked his phone. “Ned’s there, setting up.”
They made a procession and showed up at the Book Nook to see a crowd already gathered. Ned spotted him and waved him over.
“Glad you’re early. This is Miles Halloran, the owner.”
A good-looking blond man shook his hand. “Great to meet you. My co-owner is a huge fan, and I’ve just started getting into your books.” His big, bright-blue eyes crinkled shut with laughter. “My husband, on the other hand, is also an avid reader of your books and very annoyed he can’t be here, so I promised him a signed copy of each one.” He glanced behind him and pulled over a younger man hovering in the background. “This is Gordon, my co-owner.”
“H-hi, Mr. Delacourt. Miles is right. I’m a huge fan.”
“Great to meet you too. This is my family—Harper Rose, my boyfriend; his brother, David; and Luis, who helps with David and is also my personal assistant.”
He’d asked Luis to take on that role when the work on the publishing side of the book had begun to take on a life of its own. It was a perfect partnership as Luis could help him while David was at therapy or had downtime.
Miles shook everyone’s hand, and to their surprise, crouched next to David’s chair. “Hi, David. I’m Miles. Would you like some books to look at while Colson is signing? I think I have some things you might like.”
David’s head bobbed side to side. Harper turned away and brushed at his eyes, and Colson put a hand on his shoulder.
“He’s so happy to be here, I think.” To Miles, he said, “Thank you. David is very special to us.”
Miles’s smile was sweet. “I understand. I have some books for children with sensory issues. Do you think he might like that?”
“He can try and hold them. We’ve been working on his hand coordination.” Always vigilant concerning David, Harper answered before Colson had a chance to.
