Page 45 of Motion to Dismiss

The room is filled with massive screens featuring his book covers and headlines from cases he won. Above us, the words “Justice is served” swirl across the ceiling in bright lights.

So far, we’ve received a bag of signed books and swag, and now we’re waiting in line for a special seven-minute session with him.

“You can have my session, Scarlett,” my mom says suddenly as we get close to the front.

“What?” I arch a brow. “Don’t you have a list of questions?”

“Yeah, but…” She sighs. “I always back out of these things at the last minute.”

“Why?”

“Never meet your heroes.” She shrugs. “That’s a thing, you know?”

“No.” I shake my head. “You should ask him your questions.”

“My first one is ‘Are you single’?”

“Okay, so you shouldn’t ask him questions.”

She smiles and hands me her pass. “I’ll stick to the group Q&A that’s right after. Besides, I already got my picture, and that’s far more than I hoped for when I started reading him.”

“He’s not a God, Mom.”

“No, but one of my other questions is if he fucks like one, so…”

I lift the velvet rope for her, and she laughs as she slips underneath.

She grabs my book bag from my shoulder. “I’ll get us a table, okay?”

“Okay.” I smile at her.

“Oh, and—I’m looking forward to the day you can tell me about your boyfriend.”

“I’ve already mentioned Cole to you.”

“No.” She shakes her head. “The guy you were on the phone with the other night for hours.”

“Oh.” My cheeks flush. “Well, that’s complicated.”

“Um hmmm.” She winks. “One day.”

“Next reader, please!” A woman dressed in all-black calls out from behind the VIP curtain.

I let out a breath and brace myself for what I hope will be a good performance.

“Well, hello there!” Peter Hansel smiles at me from behind a table. “I would greet you by name, but you’re not wearing your name tag.”

“You can call me Rachel,” I say.

“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” He beckons me closer. “Thank you for reading my books.”

“Pleasure’s all mine.” I step in front of him and grab five things from the VIP shelf for him to sign.

“Any questions you have for me?” he asks. “I’m all yours for seven minutes.”

“Fourteen.” I place my mother’s pass on the table next to mine. “My friend was too starstruck.”

“Ah, yes. Well, my characters tend to have that effect on people, Rachel. Which characters are your favorite?”