Once my tan sets, I’ll get dressed and head to the cleaners. I'll walk there, and by the time I return, it will be time to wash off the tan and get ready for tonight. Honestly, the timing is perfect. It's a warm day, and I want to soak up the last of the summer heat before my seasonal depression hits. The fresh air will do me good.
I pull the last Velcro roller from my hair, run my fingers through it, fluff the soft curls, and smooth them down. I grab my lip gloss and stipple a bit over my red lipstick. I opted for a smoky eye tonight, using various shades of brown instead of black and gray. I wanted a soft look to complement my dress because it’s so beautiful and deserves its moment.
Self-tanning was a smart move. I look so fucking hot.
The dress is the same wrap style as last night's, but this one is made of dark navy blue silk. It has a high-low silhouette, a sweetheart neckline, and thin spaghetti straps. It slips on effortlessly, fitting perfectly to every curve, just as the other one does. I smooth my hands over the dress, admiringmyself a bit more.
I check over to my nightstand before leaving. I double-tap my phone to check the time. The screen lights up, and the clock reads 7:30 p.m. “Shoot. I need to hurry up.”
I hurry to my closet, slipping on the black strappy heels I wore last night, and grabbing my leather jacket. After putting it on, I take my phone, turn off the lights in my apartment, and head to the kitchen to feed Binx.
I open a can of one of his favorites, and he comes running from wherever he’s been hiding. “Hi, sweet boy. You be good tonight. Mama will be out late, so you can go to bed early, okay? I love you.” I give him some pets as he scarfs down his food, then turn to get my keys and stuff my phone in my purse. I leave the kitchen light on for when I come home later, and shut the door behind me.
I hurry down to the parking garage in my apartment's basement, taking the three flights of steps down. I’m already running late and don’t want to fall further behind.
The echo of my heels in the stairwell reminds me of a scene in my first book where Vera is running away from the apartment of the first man she’s just murdered. I point out in the passage how her heels sound like a clock ticking, because Vera’s running out of time to get out of the building before the cameras she’s cut come back on.
I channel the adrenaline from that scene and pick up the pace on the last flight, and push through the exit door, my car parked in its usual spot. I hop in the driver's seat, slide the key into the ignition, and start my car. I pull my phone out of my purse, text Olivia that I’m on my way, and back out of my spot.
I arrive at Spines & Steins with ten minutes to spare. I parked in the back parking lot and met Olivia at the alleyway door.
“Oh my god! Look at you! Holy fuck!” Olivia’s mouth hangs open, staring at me. “That color looks so good on you. I don’t know if I want to be you or fuck you.”
I laugh. “You look good, too, Liv.” I wink at her as I slip past, and now it’s my turn for my jaw to drop. “Is this real?” My attention shifts to the front of the store, where a crowd waits to get in to see me.
Olivia closes the side door, locking it behind her, and joins me at my side. “The rest of the tickets sold out this morning. I’m glad I ordered more special editions because I believe I will be selling out tonight, too.”
“Holy shit, Liv. That’s—” My knees wobble slightly, the room spinning a bit, and I suddenly feel light-headed. “I think I need to sit down.”
Olivia grabs my arm, guiding me, and sits me in her office. “Stay here and take a moment to calm down. I know it’s a lot, but you deserve this, Luna. You’re a brilliant woman who has overcome so much, and it’s time you’re celebrated like you ought to be.” She brushes a stray hair from my face. “I’m going to let everyone in now, get them settled, and then introduce you. Okay?”
I rest my head against Olivia’s. “What would I do without you?”
“Perish. Horribly. I’m the light of your life, and everyone knows it!” Olivia stands, crossing the room, lingering in the doorway. “Everything will be fine. I promise.” I smile and try to remain calm, but I’m burning up inside. Olivia turns, making her way to the storefront to greet everyone.
People came to see me? Me? This can’t be happening. This is a dream, and I’ll wake up any second.
The front doorbell chimes, and I hear Olivia’s bright, professional voice greeting everyone and welcoming them inside. Music begins to play, and the crowd's murmurs grow louder as they navigate Spines & Steins.
My heart races, and my nerves are wreaking havoc on my nervous system. I take several deep breaths, my eyes wandering around Olivia’s office, when I spot a bottle of whiskey sitting on her cabinet. I jump from my seat and grab the bottle. I open the bottle without a second thought and take two shots.
One for my nerves and one for good luck.
I cap the bottle, swallow the mouthful of liquor down, and return it to where I found it. The music dies, drawing my attention back to the waiting crowd. I exit Olivia’s office and stand near the backroom door. I hear Olivia clear her throat and welcome the crowd to my book signing. The crowd cheers, and the boom of their voices almost knocks me to my knees.
“That’s the energy I love to see! Without further ado, let me introduce one of my best friends and soon-to-be best-selling author, Luna Stirling!”
I swallow the lump in my throat as the warm, fuzzy feeling of the whiskey envelops me. Taking a deep breath, I round the corner to see cheering faces. I stumble, trying to find my footing, until Olivia grabs my hand and helps me onto the small platform.
I sit in the chair across from Olivia as she hands me a mic. “Hello, Miss Luna Stirling. How are we this evening?”
I chuckle. “I’ll be honest—I’m a bit nervous. This is my first book event ever, but I hope it’s just the beginning of more.”
I look out over the crowd and notice that every seat is taken, with a few people standing in the back. Each person in the crowd held one or two copies of the special edition of VV, and the once-full display table is now bare. I clear my throat, blinking quickly to keep the tears that threatened to fall at bay.
“Let's dive straight into the Q&A, shall we? Our first question is: What inspired you to write Vear’s Vengeance?” Olivia asks.
“A tough first question,” the crowd chuckles, and I bite my lip, deciding if I want to be truthful. It’s my story, and it deserves to be told. No one here knows who I am, and they never could. “Vera’s Vengeance was born out of desperation, honestly. I never intended for it to take off the way it did, or for people even to like it. It was primarily for myself. I grew up in a less-than-ideal environment, which influenced the villains in both stories. I could create a thirteen-part series based on the number of evil people I’ve encountered, but I feel I’m doing justice to the stories I do tell.” The audience applauds.
