Finally, I see comprehension dawn on their faces. Out of nowhere, Kat pulls me in for a hug, made slightly awkward by her large belly. “Of course, that’s okay. If anyone understands the need to just be yourself, it’s my family. My brother Jude is a retired NHL player, and he’s always loved the fact that when he’s here, he’s just Jude Donnelly, not some famous athlete. I’m sorry, I didn’t consider that you of course, want the same basic courtesy.”
For the second time tonight, I feel relief. “Thank you. I’m sorry if I seem ungrateful, it really does mean a lot that you like my books.”
Paige inclines her head toward me. “But you wish to keep your two identities separate. We can respect that. As Kat indicated, you deserve to have whatever privacy you desire. Tonight, you are a reader. Not an author.” Shifting in closer, she touches my wrist. “But could we perhaps set a time in the near future to discuss a future engagement in which you would be willing to be present as our featured author?”
Well, I can’t exactly blame her for that very reasonable request, so I simply nod. “Sure.”
Paige steps away, an enigmatic expression on her face. “Wonderful. Well, please excuse me, I must ensure we stay on track with our itinerary for the evening.”
I wait until she leaves before turning to the Donnelly ladies. “Itinerary?”
Lily smirks. “Yeah, Paige likes things organized. Even when the book club was just her and her close friends, they had discussion questions and a schedule. As more of us joined, we learned to just go with it. Honestly, she comes up with some fun questions.”
I look down as an arm loops through my elbow. It’s Kat again. “C’mon, you can sit over here with us.”
Letting myself be towed along by Sawyer’s younger sister, I sink down on the comfortable armchair she guides me to. Eventually, everyone finds a seat and settles in, our attention all going to Paige, who moves to stand in front of us.
“Thank you for coming, everyone. I trust you all read and enjoyed this month’s selection. Discussion questions are being handed out now, and while you have a chance to read them over, I thought we could start with a quick poll. Based on chapter four of the book, where Fancy is giving Rex her first blow job, what is your preference. Spit or swallow?”
“What did she just say?” I whisper to myself, certain I misheard. But I wasn’t quiet enough, I guess, as Cam leans over from beside me.
“Like Lily said. Paige comes up with some fun questions.” She smirks. “Rumour has it her husband has a pierced dick. Now, I love my husband, and there is not a damn thing wrong with our sex life. But that kind of jewelry has always intrigued me.”
“Do any of the boys have piercings?” That question comes from Lily and has Kat sputtering under her breath.
“Oh my God, you two, stop it. Those are my brothers you’re talking about, and I donotneed to be thinking about their penises.”
It’s a good thing we’re at the back of the room, because Paige and someone else are still talking — I assume about the actual book. I should probably be paying attention to that discussion, but I find myself drawn to the women at my side. They remind me of Willow and I, with no filters and nothing but love and respect. I didn’t expect to make friends my first time at this book club, but I won’t deny I hoped to find someone I connected with.
There’s just the small issue of the hot firefighter we have in common. The onetheydon’t know thatIalready know.
As if she knows I’m thinking about him, Cam leans forward to whisper across mine and Kat’s lap to Lily. “If any of them do, it would be Sawyer, I’m betting.”
Nope, I think to myself, pressing my lips together. I can say with absolute certainty that man has zero piercings. Or tattoos.
“Nah, he’s petrified of needles. Like, I’m talking screams like a baby when he needs vaccinations or anything.” Kat gently pushes Cam back. “Now stop talking about my brothers and pay attention, or Tori’s never going to want to sit with us at book club again!”
She couldn’t be more wrong. It makes me so happy the way they welcomed me after the initial surprise of my pen name wore off. As someone who’s no more than a fellow book-loving woman. As if I could truly be friends with them and be my own authentic self, instead of “author” me.
But if they found out myothersecret… That I can’t stop thinking about Kat’s brother. Would that all change?
Chapter thirteen
Sawyer
Thursday is laundry day. That’s the only excuse I have for wearing ratty dark blue sweats and a hoodie that still has paint stains from when I was helping Max and Heidi repaint their apartment today.
Well, that and I figured I could be in and out of the hardware store quickly enough there was no point in changing out of the clothes I put on to tackle cleaning the gutters at my parents’ house. Ever since my dad’s accident twelve years ago, he hasn’t been able to climb a ladder, so my brothers and I deal with all of those kinds of jobs for them.
But lady luck obviously has it out for me today as I round the corner of aisle three and come face to face with Tori.
How does she still manage to look so fucking beautiful every damn time I see her? You’d think my reaction would dim over time, like it does with every other woman, but instead, my attraction to her feels more intense.
Fuck, I’m in trouble.
“Sawyer!” Her eyes widen, her tongue darting out to moisten her lips. Such a small move shouldn’t make my dick twitch. But apparently, the fucking traitor doesn’t care about what it should or should not be doing.
She’s wearing another T-shirt with an old lady on it; this one saying, “Picture it, Sicily 1922.” At least this time I have some sort of an idea what it means, recognizing the iconic Golden Girls character. My lips tip up.
