The chairs start filling. The space feels alive. Familiar faces from around town flit in. Lou and Bria from Kindle’s grab front-row seats, already chatting with half the room. A few of Gabe’s regulars drift in, plus some people I don’t recognize but Ciarán clearly does—judging by the air kisses and cheeky comments.
Aiden arrives with Rose perched on his hip, taking the event in with wide eyes. He puts her down to stand on the floor, and she claps the second she hears laughter, letting out a squeal that makes half the room turn to smile.
“Mio tesoro,” Ciarán says, crouching down like he’s been waiting for this moment all day. His whole face softens when Rose launches herself at him, and he spins her until she giggles so hard she hiccups.
He rattles off something in Italian, smooth with a practiced tongue, and Rose babbles back like she knows exactly what he’s saying.
I blink, surprised he knows another language. “Is that… Italian?”
Ciarán glances over his shoulder at me, smirking. “Half Italian, half Irish. The drama’s in my blood.”
“That explains so much,” I tease, and he laughs before going back to Rose, cooing something that makes her giggle again.
Aiden doesn’t say anything, just stands there watching with a look I’ve never seen on him before—like he’s trying to piece together how the man who drives him up the wall can also make his daughter this happy.
I cross the room to where Gabe stands near the podium, shoulders almost up to his ears. His thumb keeps finding its way back to his cheek.
“All good?” I murmur, just for him.
He glances at me, like he wasn’t expecting me to notice. He blinks rapidly, nods, then shakes his head, takes a breath, and nods more firmly. Not all good, but he’s trying. Beautiful, brave man.
“I’m here,” I tell him. He searches my face and must find what he needs because after a moment, his shoulders loosen instantly.
When the chairs are full and the room settles, Gabe steps up to the mic. His fingers quiver as he adjusts the stand, not enough for anyone else to notice, but I’m watching like a hawk. The tension is back in his shoulders. His eyes flick to me like a compass finding north.
I meet his gaze and give him the smallest nod of encouragement.
He takes a breath and starts to speak.
“G-Good evening,” he says, voice shaky at first, then steadier as the words find their way. “Welcome to Evergreen Books. It’s been a while since we hosted an event like this, and I… I’m really glad you’re all here.”
His gaze darts back to me once more before he continues. My heart is in my throat. I want this to go well for him. I need it to. He deserves it.
“We’re honored to have River Wynn with us tonight, reading from his debut fantasy novel. I had the pleasure of reading it during the week. It’s a story about love, lace, and finding your people—and it’s weird and wonderful and very, very queer. Please give him a warm welcome.”
The room erupts in applause, causing him to jump slightly, but everyone’s eyes are on River now. Everyone’s but mine.
Gabe steps back, a little breathless, but his mouth curves into a proud smile. My chest tightens.
He looks right at me like he knows I saw all of it—the nerves, the courage—and all I can think is, no wonder I could never make a relationship work in the past, nobody else ever stood a chance. Not when Gabe Shaw is here.
He makes a beeline straight for me before sitting down, his knee pressed to mine.
“I did it,” he says, voice thick, tears brightening his green eyes.
For a split second, I consider putting my hand on the small of his back, pulling him into me, doing something—anything—to tell him how proud I am. Instead, I just nod, grinning like an idiot.
“Yeah. You did it.”
River is electric on stage—charismatic, sarcastic, perfectly timed. His readings fromThe Lace Assassin’s Guide to Love and Larcenyare hilarious.
I hear Theo before I see him, leaning against the back wall with his arms crossed, laughing throughout the reading.
When the applause fades, the room buzzes—people chatting, getting their books signed, no one’s rushing to leave. Aiden strolls around the room, Rose asleep on his shoulder now. Every time he looks toward Gabe, his smile widens.
Gabe wanders over toward them while I weave through the chairs toward Theo. “Hey, man, didn’t know you were coming,” I greet.
He shrugs. “Saw a flyer over at Split Pea. Figured I’d check it out.” He glances around, expression approving. “Good vibe.”
