Why not Wyoming? (Wyoming Wilds Series Book 1) (11 page)

“Paranoia it is,” Finn said sarcastically. “There are a million
possible reasons why he isn’t calling you back. Neither of us has the time for
me to run through them. Get up, pull on your big girl panties, and get ready. After
you knock the socks off the book world tonight, you can go home, thaw one of
those margarita packets and decide if you’re going to cry in your Bacardi or
have hot phone sex. But right now, you have worked too damn hard to let
delusions, or a man, screw this up for you.”

Wiping away the stupid tears, Annie nodded mutely. CJ had used
that same silly sock saying. She swallowed a couple of times and took a
steadying breath. 

“You’re right. This is my dream. CJ gets that. And if he
suddenly doesn’t, then screw him.”

Her heart ached saying the words, but it was the truth. That
didn’t stop her from hoping it was one of the million other reasons.

“There’s my girl. Now, I’ll see you at the hotel. Don’t make me
come over there.”

Annie didn’t bother to answer the dead air. There was nothing
left to say.

CJ stared out the window with unseeing eyes. Why had he let
her go? The question had been haunting him since the jet door closed behind
her. The fear in Annie’s eyes had been a punch in the gut. As much as she
hadn’t wanted to leave, he knew it was more than just the uncertainty of their
new relationship. This launch party had her spooked. He frowned, stroking his
thumb and forefinger over his chin. The publishing world was foreign territory.
He had no idea how things worked. What he did know was that he should have told
her he was coming with her instead of waiting around for her to ask.

Putting yourself out there, asking for help, you risked getting
hurt. It had been cowardly to leave it to her. What was she thinking of him
right now? Nothing good. That was for sure. He glanced at his watch. She was
likely getting ready if she wasn’t already on her way. Had she texted him, or
tried to call? He traced the outline of his phone through his pocket but didn’t
pull it out. There was nothing he could do now.  He prayed he’d be able to make
it up to her later.

Finally, the light came on. Ditching his seatbelt, he grabbed
his bag and joined the press of bodies heading for the door. It had been eight
hours since he’d seen her. Why did it feel like an eternity? How did he hope to
go weeks? Fumbling in his pocket, he pulled out his phone as soon as he cleared
the gate. She’d sent one text and called. No voicemail. Was that good or bad?
He didn’t have much battery left. Having packed light, he didn’t need to claim
luggage. Taxis were lined up at the exit.

“Where to?”

“Uh…the Grand Plaza Hotel,” he said, fumbling for his phone
again to find the address.

“Amway Grand Plaza Hotel on Monroe Avenue. No problem. About
fifteen minutes,” the driver said, already merging into traffic.

Ignoring the tremble in his hands, CJ called Annie. It went to
voice mail.

“Hey, beautiful, it’s CJ. If you could give me a quick call as
soon as you get this that would be great. Hang in there. I know they’re going
to love you.”

Ending the call, he stared at the phone, taking in the time.
Maybe she was already at the party. He wasn’t sure what time the thing was
supposed to start. What did he do if it had already started and she didn’t call
him back? Rubbing his palms on his thighs, he wondered what the dress code was
for a launch party. The black jeans, boots, button up shirt and black leather
jacket he was wearing was about as dressed up as he usually got. He glanced at
the driver. He seemed friendly enough. It was worth a shot.   

“Do you know how fancy this Grand Plaza Hotel is?”

“I’d say it’s one of the nicest in Grand Rapids,” the guy answered,
gaze flickering to the rearview mirror. “I’ve never seen the actual rooms, but
I’ve been to the steak house there a couple of times.”

“My girlfriend is having a book launch party there tonight. She
doesn’t know I’m in town. I’m just trying to figure out how underdressed I’m
going to be if I crash her party,” CJ said, a small smile curving his lips at
calling Annie his girlfriend. It was nice.

“That’s hard telling, buddy. Do you know if she’s having this
party in one of the restaurants or in a private room?”    

“No clue.”

The cabbie craned his neck to get a look at CJ in the back
seat. He shrugged.

“Unless it’s formal I’d say you’re okay, but what do I know?
Women sometimes have a different opinion of what looks okay than we men do.”  

CJ had to chuckle. Wasn’t that the truth? His phone rang.
Annie’s smile lit the screen. Swallowing his nerves, he hit the button.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Hey yourself.”

She sounded happy to hear from him and was that relief as well?

“Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. About the time you were
getting off the plane, I was getting on one.”

“A plane?” There was a pause. “Where are you?”

“Grand Rapids, Michigan. I heard it was nice this time of
year.”

“Someone lied to you,” she said with a snort.

He grinned. “I also heard there were smart, sexy, literary
types here.”

“You really need to have a talk with your travel agent.”

Joke, deflect, joke. Typical Annie.

“Are you at the hotel?”

Silence. He glanced at his phone to make sure they were still connected.

“Annie?”

“Standing outside it, trying to work up the guts to go in.”

“I know you’re scared. There’s not a lot I can do about that
except offer to be there for you. I should’ve done that in Wyoming, but I’m
here now.”

“I can’t believe you came all the way here just to hold my hand,”
she said, her voice shaky.  

“I’d like to hold all of you, but I’ll start with your hand.”

“It sounds like I’m getting the best part of this deal.”

He thought he heard a sniffle and kicked himself again. If he’d
just made the trip with her. 

“Baby, my battery is about to die so if I lose you I will be
there in about…” CJ glanced at the driver who flashed him an open hand. “I’ll
be there in about five minutes.”

“Okay. I can hold it together until then.” Her teeth were
chattering. “I’m going to step inside the lobby before I turn into a Popsicle,”
she said, sniffing again.

“Get inside, beautiful. I’ll be there in just a couple of
minutes to warm you up.”

“Promises, promises,” Annie teased. “Remember I still have this
party to go to.”

He chuckled and the phone beeped its death knell. Reluctantly,
he shoved it in his pocket.

“Almost there, man. Was it a good surprise?”

“Yeah. Still don’t know about the clothes, but it sounds like
she’ll be happy to see me.”

“It’s a start. You’ll work the rest out.”

“I’m trying.”

Paying the fare along with a nice tip, CJ took a deep breath and
stepped out.

“Thanks, man. Good luck, and I hope your lady’s book does good.”

“Thanks. Tell your wife it’s called
Mackinac Monday
and
I think it hits bookstores next week,” CJ called over his shoulder before
slamming the door.

“You’re pimping my book to the cabbie?”

His heart skipped a beat as Annie walked toward him on the
snowy sidewalk. Damn, he’d missed her.

“Any publicity is good publicity,” he said, swinging his bag up
onto his shoulder. “And I thought you were going to wait inside.”

She rubbed her hands over the outside of her folded arms and
smiled at him like a naughty child.

“I was inside until I saw the cab pull up.”  

CJ caught her elbows and pulled her against his chest. Her arms
slid under his jacket and around his waist. Holding her tight, he pressed his
nose into her dark hair.

“It’s only been hours and it felt like weeks,” he murmured.

“I thought that was just me,” she whispered into his chest.

“Nope. I knew I’d screwed up the moment they closed that jet
door behind you.”

“I almost didn’t get on the plane in Denver. Anything other
than my book and I would’ve never left. I’m sorry.”

Pushing her back from him so he could look down into her face
CJ shook his head.

“No. You don’t have anything to be sorry for. I won’t ask you
to choose between me and your passion.”

“What if you’re my passion?” she asked, fiddling with the
zipper on his coat.

He grinned down at her. “I guess people can have more than one
kind of passion. Lucky us. But I don’t want to come between you and your
writing career. I love what I do. I know how it feels. We can work something
out if we just talk.”

“We seem to be good at talking until it really matters. I
wanted to beg you to come with me.”

“I’m sorry that I didn’t offer. I thought maybe you wouldn’t
want me here, but I couldn’t stay away knowing how scared you were.”

“Why wouldn’t I want you here? Short of my parents, there’s no
one I’d rather have beside me. Maybe that’s crazy in the short time we’ve known
one another, but you make me feel…” Annie’s hands left his coat to flutter in
the air between them. “Safe, sheltered, home…I don’t know what the right word
is, but it feels right.”

Hauling her back against him, CJ claimed her lips. Their kiss was
interrupted by the ringing of her phone. She groaned into his mouth. He caught
her hand as she reached for it.

“All of your words are perfect. It feels very right.”

Annie beamed up at him. The phone stopped ringing. She
stretched up for another kiss and the ringtone started again. This time, she
growled and dug in her pocket for the offending device.

“My publicist,” she muttered, hitting the button to answer the
call. “I’m walking in the door. Yes, the Plaza’s front doors. My man flew into
town to surprise me so we have one extra.” A delighted smile split her face and
she glanced up at him as he held the door open. “Yes. His name is CJ Barrett.
They sound gorgeous. He’s a total sweetheart. I’m telling you about him now. No
worries, Cami. I’m getting in the elevator now. See you in a minute.”

She’d called him her man. He could get used to that. Joining another
couple, they stepped into the elevator. Annie leaned forward to punch the
button for their floor, and then pressed back to his side.

“Cami tells me that a CJ Barrett sent me beautiful calla lilies.”

“I wasn’t sure what kind of flowers you like. The florist said
these were elegant and would work in a business setting better than roses,” he
admitted.

“Thank you. Any flowers from you would’ve been perfect, but you
and the florist picked well. Lilies are my favorite. Wait until you see the
huge peace lily plant I have in my apartment,” she said, fingers tightening on his
as she watched the floor numbers rise.

The elevator stopped and the other couple stepped out leaving
them alone. He pulled her closer, kissing the top of her head.

“Are you okay?”

“Better now that you’re here, but still a basket case. Sorry.”

“There’s nowhere I’d rather be than with you,” he said
squeezing her. “So, tell me what’s so terrible about these things. What have I
gotten myself into?”

The teasing did its job. She smiled.

“I really can’t tell you. This is the first time they’ve thrown
a launch party for me. Normally, they make me do a book signing on release day
in one of the larger cities. Usually one closest to the setting of the book.
Then I do a string of smaller signings, mostly in the Midwest, with a few on
the East coast. It depends on interest. Bookstores are getting to be few and
far between. A lot of readers wait for the e-book and even those that don’t,
order online,” she explained, her free hand fluttering nervously with her
words. “So, I can’t tell you what you’ve gotten yourself into because I don’t
know. Which is partially why I’m freaking out. I don’t deal well with not
knowing in real-life. Fiction is a whole other beast. On top of that, I hate
crowds and speaking in public makes me want to pass out.”

He listened to her words pick up speed as she went along, her
waving hand keeping pace. Her face was pale, making her freckles stand out. CJ
wasn’t sure if she was closer to hyperventilating or throwing up. She’d said
‘they make me.’ In their talks, she’d jokingly referred to herself as
borderline agoraphobic. Maybe it hadn’t been a joke. Dealing with travel and
crowds, the book signings had to be scary as hell for her.

“Regretting the trip yet?” she asked, way too much sincerity
creeping into the jest for his liking.

“No. I was just thinking how brave you are.”

Annie snorted in amused disbelief and stepped back to tug at
her heavy coat.

“It’s either hot as hell in here or my nerves are trying to
boil me alive from the inside out.”

CJ shrugged his bag higher on his shoulder and reached out to
help her out of the thigh-length black wool.

“Bravery isn’t the absence of fear. Every time you go to a book
signing you’re conquering your fears so your dreams can come true. How is that
not brave?”

“My fears are stupid.”

“Everyone has fears. Yours could cripple you, but you don’t let
them. In my world, it would be like if I were afraid of bugs, bears, or trees
for God’s sake.”

“I hope you’re a little afraid of bears,” Annie said holding
her fingers a half an inch apart.

“I have a very healthy respect for bears,” he said, rolling his
eyes at her deflection. She really was a master at it.

The elevator doors opened. Annie didn’t move. CJ reached over
her shoulder and put a hand between them when they started to slide shut.

“I can’t promise you that everything will be fine, but I’m
here. I’ll do anything I can,” he said softly.

Annie nodded and pushed up for a kiss.

“You have to come out of the elevator, Annie.”

A pretty blonde in a pantsuit stood in the doorway with her hands
on her hips.

Annie’s forehead fell against his chest. “What is it with
people not wanting us to kiss?”

“I don’t know. Jealousy maybe?”