“Maybe someday you can,” Addie said lightly. “It felt really good. Or maybe you can try something else new. I’m pretty game to try new thingswithyou, but only ones we both want. I don’t want you uncomfortable just because I’m so excitable.”
She sounded so earnest that Toni felt like her heartbeat was erratic. “I like how excitable you are.”
“Only with you.”
“Well, I like that, too.”
“I noticed.” Addie snuggled in against her side.
And Toni could only pull her closer.
They fell asleep like that, and Toni felt an unfamiliar sense that everything was finally going to be smooth sailing in her life. It was a rare feeling, one she’d never had in her childhood home or in her academic career. Life was about precarious moments, but tonight, she had a career—two, actually—and she had financial security, and a friend who made her feel like everything was sunny.
Chapter 30Addie
After a successful wedding breakfast, they were settled at a table for a book and photo signing. Unlike the majority of the furniture in the antique-laden house, this was a foldable table. It was dressed up with a tablecloth that was decorated with arrangements of fresh flowers. Between Toni and Addie was a tea set, fortunately filled with black tea that someone kept pouring into her cup.
The initial line was daunting, but now that they were done, Addie had a moment to look over at her new (fake!) spouse. For all that Toni claimed not to love her author responsibilities, she was both gracious and charming. There was no doubt that the attendees were invested in the success of the show and the book series.
“It seems like a lot of effort for a small group,” Addie murmured in a lull between people.
“Sometimes it’s about the news coverage.” Toni pointedly looked at the photographers. “This event will result in interesting photos and articles both on the books and the show.”
“Oh.”
“Part of that is because of you.” Toni stared at her, and the intent way she did so made Addie positive that the cameras were now zeroed in on them. “You are a beautiful star, and the buzz for the show will mean that these photos are sent to assorted outlets.
“And the money from the tickets goes to charity,” Toni added, not looking away from her.
“Which creates more coverage.” Addie smiled over at the photographers.
“So jaded, so soon,” Toni murmured. “I picked the charity. It was my condition for being here.”
“Alzheimer’s?” Addie guessed. “Or a queer organization?”
Toni glanced at her. “Both.”
“Good.” Addie smiled up at the next group of Victorian-gowned women with books and asked, “Are you enjoying your weekend?”
They’d developed a system of sorts. Toni signed and said “thank you” or answered some historical question. Addie made small talk. Most of her headshots were pre-signed, and few people wanted those personalized. They posed every so often for photos—thatsort was preapproved for all attendees—but mostly, it was a book signing.
In the second hour, the signing was opened up to the public, and that was a different sort of thing entirely. There weren’t as many historical questions from the signing line, but there were a lot more lesbians and queer folks. The crowd took on an unusually vibrant mix as the hue of boldly dyed Victorian dresses mixed with a smattering of rainbows and vibrantly dyed hair, along with older women in mundane dress.
“This is your audience,” Addie whispered. “This eclectic group.”
“Your audience, too,” Toni pointed out. “You’retheirAdelaine Wight.”
Addie felt herself studying her future audience. These were the book people, the crowd that put Toni’s book on bestseller lists, and her job was to add to their number. She’d swell their ranks by her work in the show.Hopefully.And they’d buy Toni’s books, too. There was talk of a show-related reissue for the paperback with one of the stills from the show.
I’d be on the cover of the book she wrote.
She couldn’t repress the smile that stole over her at the thought of that bit of peculiarity. They were in this together, and Addie’s successwould become more success for Toni, too. That made her want to do better, not just because she lovedThe Whitechapel Widowand the career possibilities but because of how much she liked Toni.
“We’re going to have to do this again after the show launches,” Addie said lightly, smiling at the fan who had both an advanced copy and a hardcover copy of Toni’s book.
“Excellent. Then they’ll only want your autograph, and I can hide in the background,” Toni teased as she accepted the books and the Post-it with the reader’s name on it.
“Hush.” Addie looked at the line of people. “This crowd is here because of your book. They won’t vanish because of an adaptation.”
