“Why do you have balloons?” Dash asked.
“For the signs Amber said she was putting out front,” Morgyn answered. “Lindsay thought they were a good idea.”
“Where are the signs? We can set them up,” Lindsay suggested. “We need to get a jump on things anyway, to manage the line.”
“I need to hire you,” Shea said.
Amber cringed. “I can’t believe I forgot to put the signs out.”
“Are you kidding?” Morgyn put her arm around Amber. “You just agreed to meet Dash’s family, you’re going to a black-tie fundraiser in New York City, and you’re about to host the biggest signing you ever had. It’s a wonder you can think at all.”
Lindsay’s index finger shot up in the air. “Have no fear. Your troops are here!”
“I’ll get the signs,” Phoenix called out, and Lindsay followed her toward the stockroom.
Marilynn rested the tray of cookies on the edge of a table. “I thought I’d hand out cookies to keep people from getting antsy while they waited. I have more in the car, but if that line is any indication of what you’re in for, I’m not sure I brought enough.”
“That’s okay.” Amber’s gaze darted nervously over the cookies. “Cookies mean dirty fingers on book jackets, but I have napkins in the kitchen. I’ll get them.”
“I’ll get them,” Brindle offered, and hurried off toward the back.
“I can’t believe there’s already a line,” Amber said.
“Take a breath, wild thing,” Sable teased. “I brought a little something for later, so you and Dash can celebrate.” She handed Amber the champagne. “I know you won’t drink much, but you can get Dash loaded and take advantage of him. Win-win.”
“Thanks, but I can’t think about that right now.” Amber set the bottle on the table and looked at Dash. “What if we don’t have enough books?”
“Whatever we have will have to be enough,” Dash reassured her.
“I hate to disappoint customers, but you’re right.” Amber breathed deeply and squared her shoulders, morphing from panicked hostess to professional business owner right before his eyes. With one hand brushing Reno’s head, she made quick work of introducing everyone and began directing activities.
Dash watched in awe as she took apart her perfectly planned itinerary and checklist, divvying and delegating responsibilities so her sisters and mother each had a job. She looked completely in control, but he sensed that beneath that unflappable facade she was as nervous as a mouse in a snake pit. Not because she couldn’t handle a signing, but because bringing new players into a game at the last minute was nerve-racking for anyone, and she’d put an incredible amount of pressure on herself to make today perfect for him.
Shortly before the start of the signing, Hawk sidled up to him. He’d taken pictures of the whole process, including the line outside, which Brindle had just reported was wrapping nearly around the entire block.
Hawk lifted his camera, taking a picture of Amber talking with Shea. “Amber’s really something. No wonder you’re bringing her home to meet everyone. But you’d better keep her close at that fundraiser. I know you don’t worry about competition, but she’s got something special, and you know how some of those guys can be.”
Special didn’t begin to touch on how remarkable she was. “I’m not worried.” Amber glanced over, and their eyes caught with the same summer lightning they always did, luminous and scorching. “I’m going to miss the hell out of her when I’m gone.”
“Good. Maybe you’ll actually give yourself a break and slow down after the tour. Shea’s right to wonder what your next big adventure will be. You suck at slowing down.”
“I’ve never had a reason to before. Do me a favor? Take a few pictures of me and Amber?”
“I’d love to. I took some great candid shots of you two. The way you look at her, man.” Hawk shook his head. “It’s really something.”
“It’s not half as great as the way she looks at me.”
After Hawk took their pictures, Shea called out, “Three minutes!” sparking a flurry of activity and conversation.
Nervousness crackled in the air as Dash drew Amber into his arms.
“It’s almost time,” she said anxiously.
He took her face between his hands, gazing deeply into the eyes of the woman he’d come to love. The realization hit him like a gale-force wind, whipping through him, bringing fullness to his chest and a thickness to his throat.
“Dash, we need to hurry,” Amber urged, jerking him from his thoughts.
He stuffed those raging emotions down deep until he could process them and figure out how to tell her in a way that was as magical as she deserved.
Filled with a joy like he’d never known, he said, “I am so glad you hesitated to host my signing so it had to start here. It means the world to me that we’re doing this together. I’m always in awe of you, but watching you orchestrate all of this was pretty damn amazing. Thank you for making it such a special day for us.”
She fanned her face. “You’re going to make me cry.”
He hugged her tight. “I don’t want to make you cry. I just really appreciate all of your efforts.”
“Thank you. I’m so excited for you. I hope nothing goes wrong.”
“Listen, sweetheart. If I learned one thing during my football career, it’s that games rarely go off without a hitch. If we run out of books or fans get out of hand, I want you to know that it doesn’t change the incredible day you’ve given me. Do you understand?”
She nodded.
“Are you ready for the Oak Falls episode of Fan Girls Gone Wild?”
She laughed. “As ready as I’ll ever be. How about you?”
“With you by my side, I’m ready for anything.”
He kissed her again, and as Shea ushered him to the signing table, he watched Amber push past her worries and warmly, gracefully welcome into her quiet bookstore a horde of loud, excited women who were making a beeline straight to him.
Two hours passed with an endless flow of men, women, and children getting signed books, taking photographs with Dash, and checking out the bookstore. Shea stayed by the table, managing the signing and ushering fans along who tried to take up residence beside Dash, while Amber and Lindsay helped customers and answered questions, and Hawk moved seamlessly through the crowd taking pictures. It was a good thing Amber’s family had shown up to help, because Amber and her staff hadn’t had a second to spare. Marilynn and Brindle were reading to children whose parents were waiting in line, while Morgyn helped Phoenix at the register, and Sable took on the role of bouncer, keeping people in line and heading off trouble.
Dash was thrilled that the signing was going smoothly, and Amber was gaining so much business. He wasn’t surprised to see Nana and her friends, Poppi, Cade, Sin, Trace, Graham, and practically the whole rest of the town come through the line. The community support was endless, though Dash was under no misconception that it was all for him. He knew they were there to support Amber. He was just a sidebar.
A teenager stepped up to the table as Amber arrived with another stack of books and Reno on her heels, nervous energy still zinging around her. Dash caught her attention as she set the books on the table and winked, wishing he could tug her onto his lap for a kiss. She flashed a sexy smile as she was pulled away by a customer, and the boy handed Dash a book and asked him to sign it to Mike.