“I’d be honored to come.” She gave him a pointed look. “But I’ll take the subway.”
“No subway.”
She considered his command for a moment. “How about a compromise? You can send your car for me to come to work, but I’ll get to the book signing on my own. It’s not that far from where I live.”
Other than muttering, “Stubborn little cuss,” he stopped arguing. He was too shocked by the flood of gratitude and relief that flowed through him when she had agreed to come.
Allie checked the numbers on the nearest buildings as she came up out of the subway and turned left. She strode along the narrow sidewalk until she spotted the blood-spattered sign for Murder Unlimited.
The bookstore was in a turn-of-the-century building with a cast-iron facade. Tall windows painted rectangles of yellow light on the cracked sidewalk, and a crowd of people milled around inside. She took a deep breath and pulled open the door, the quiet hum of voices contrasting with the city street noise. A sign with Gavin’s head shot and a photo of a studious-looking young woman announced a book signing tonight.
Excitement fizzed through her at the thought that Gavin wanted her here. She couldn’t wait to see him in his element, surrounded by books and adoring readers.
As she hesitated on the threshold, a young man wearing black-rimmed glasses, skinny jeans, and electric blue wingtips greeted her. “Welcome! The coatrack is over there. The wine is in that corner. And the line for the signing begins by the bookshelf with the large yellow arrow on it. Get your books signed and then bring them to the register.” He gave her a well-rehearsed smile. “We trust our readers to pay after they play.” He leaned in. “So are you here for Gavin Miller or Kendra Leigh?”
“Both. Gavin told me how great Kendra’s new book is.”
The clerk raised his eyebrows. “You know Gavin Miller? Then let’s take you to the head of the line.” Without waiting for her response, he grabbed her elbow and began edging through the crowd with a tap on one shoulder and a nudge to another.
Allie tried to stop him, but her escort was on a mission, and soon they had cha-cha-ed to within sight of the signing tables. “Okay, I’m good here,” Allie said when her guide paused for a second.
She ducked behind a bookcase and stripped off her unfashionable quilted winter jacket, stuffing it on top of a row of Agatha Christie paperbacks. She hadn’t worn a hat so she wouldn’t have hat head, but she ran her palms over her hair, just in case.
She hoped her attire was appropriate for a book signing. She’d chosen black pants and kitten-heeled leather ankle boots, topping them with a funky gray-and-black geometric-print tunic she’d bought from an artist friend. For once, her hair’s gaudy color looked sophisticated, adding a splash of drama to her monochrome outfit.
Sidling around the bookcase, she watched Gavin scrawl his name in four books for one customer, chatting and smiling the whole time.
He looked the part of a thriller writer, with his longish dark hair combed back from the striking angles of his face and a leather jacket slung over the back of his chair. He wore a black silk shirt open at the collar. Her pulse did a little tango as she thought of what was under the silk.
At the table beside Gavin’s, Kendra Leigh tugged nervously at her brown braid when a customer approached her. She pushed her glasses up on her nose and gave her new reader a hesitant smile before she carefully wrote in the paperback.
Gavin should give her some lessons on charming the clientele.
As the enthusiastic fan stepped away from his table, Gavin glanced around and caught sight of Allie. The smile that flashed across his face hit her like a medicine ball to the stomach. It wasn’t the author smile he’d had on earlier. It was an I-am-over-the-moon-glad-to-see-you smile. She pressed her hand against her chest to slow the crazed flipping of her heart. His gaze flicked down to register her gesture while his smile took on a wolfish edge.
He beckoned her toward him before saying something to the customer standing in front of him. As Allie walked forward, he pushed back his chair and stepped away from the table. At the same time, a tiny blonde woman in a crimson sheath dress approached him and put her hand on his arm. Allie hesitated, but Gavin once again waved her nearer as he and the blonde moved away from the crowd into a private space between the bookshelves.
“You’re here,” he said. His green eyes skimmed over her and lit with something stronger than gratitude. “Your hair is glorious.” Then as if he hadn’t just said something personal, he glanced back at his table. “It’s a bit of a madhouse right now, but don’t leave. It will die down.”
Allie considered the line snaking through several rows of bookcases. “In about three hours.”
“You don’t give me enough credit. I’ve done a few of these before.” He turned her to face the blonde. “Jane, this is the brilliant physical therapist you sent me. Allie, Jane.”
“Ms. Dreyer,” Allie said, offering her hand and a smile of gratitude. “Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to work with Mr. Miller.”
The agent shook Allie’s hand, her stack of gold bangles chiming softly. “Gavin says you’ve worked miracles, so I want to thank you. Since Gavin’s tied up at the moment, let me get you some wine.”
“Oh, gosh, I’m fine.” Allie didn’t want to bother Gavin’s agent.
“I insist. I want to hear about how his treatment is progressing. We can talk in the VIP room in back.”
Allie cast a questioning glance at Gavin. He nodded. “You have my permission to answer her questions about the therapy. She has a vested interest, after all.” He touched the back of Allie’s hand, sending a shiver of delight up her arm. “You’ll stay until the bitter end?”
“Absolutely.”
Another smile that eased the tension in his face and made her feel as though her presence meant something to him. He leaned down to whisper beside her ear. “I may need a massage by then.”
“I brought my tools.” She held up her hands. Was that really why he wanted her to stay? Her gratification fizzled out.
Gavin returned to his seat while Jane led Allie back through the bookcases to a cozy room where it appeared a private gathering was taking place. Two tall men stood talking by a table spread with sandwiches, wine bottles, and cupcakes, while two women chatted on a brocade-covered love seat. Allie nearly gasped as she recognized Luke Archer, the newly retired superstar quarterback of the New York Empire. If he’d come to Gavin’s book signing, they must have gotten over their quarrel.
Jane proceeded to the buffet table. “Red or white?”
Allie was having a hard time not staring at the quarterback. The man’s golden blond hair and ice blue eyes were even more striking in person. And he was so tall. “Wh-white, please.”
Jane handed her a glass and turned to the two men. “Allie, meet Nathan Trainor and Luke Archer.” Jane had a little twinkle of humor in her eyes as she introduced the legendary athlete. “Nathan, Luke, this is Allie Nichols, Gavin’s physical therapist. She’s doing great things for him.”
Luke held out his huge hand. “I’ve worked with my fair share of PTs, so I know how hard your job is. I imagine Gavin isn’t the easiest patient.”
Allie nearly laughed as she remembered his attempt to throw her out the first day. “Once he got used to the idea, he was fine.”
“A pleasure, Allie,” Nathan said, giving her a firm handshake. “We’re all friends of Gavin’s, so we’re glad he’s found someone to help him.”
The name Trainor was nagging at her brain, and then she remembered. This was the CEO of Trainor Electronics and the inventor of the battery used in virtually every laptop in the world.
The two women joined the group and were introduced as Miranda Archer and Chloe Russell. Allie smiled wistfully when the two men slid their arms around the women’s waists with obvious affection.
They chatted for a few minutes, although Allie mostly just listened. Everyone was very pleasant, but she felt overawed. Then Jane said, “I’m goi
ng to steal Allie away for some private conversation.”
Jane hooked her arm through Allie’s and drew her aside to a quiet corner holding two mismatched upholstered Victorian chairs and a Moroccan-inlay occasional table. The agent surveyed it and said, “I think it’s supposed to evoke Sherlock Holmes’s study.” They sat, and Jane leaned in, fixing her blue eyes on Allie. “Tell me how Gavin’s therapy is going. He seems better.”
“He’s making good progress now that’s he committed to the treatment. We’re still working on relaxing the muscles, but soon he’ll be able to start exercising them, too. That should prevent this from happening again.”
“I’ll be honest,” Jane said. “I thought he would refuse to do it.”
Allie made a wry face. “It was close.”
“Dr. Benson said you were good with difficult patients.” Jane leaned in a little more. “Gavin mentioned that he’s talked to you about his writer’s block.”
“I didn’t bring it up until he did,” Allie was quick to say. “He found out that I’m a fan of the Julian Best books. That’s why he invited me here.” She decided not to tell Jane that she’d used that information as a last resort to keep him from firing her.
Jane shook her head. “Gavin wanted allies tonight. He considers you one.”
Allie remembered Gavin’s smile of greeting and dared to hope Jane might be right.
“Has he discussed Julian Best with you?” Jane asked.
“A little.” Allie wasn’t sure if Gavin wanted her to talk about this part of their sessions. “We’ve been focusing on his physical issues.”
“His physical issues are just a symptom of his creative problem,” Jane said. “If you can help him get the writing flowing again, that would fix everything else.”
“I’m not really qualified for that.”
“You’re as qualified as anyone else,” Jane said. “Gavin wouldn’t let one of those creativity coaches anywhere near him, but he’s talking to you.” She laid her hand on Allie’s arm. “He’s a friend as well as a client to me, and it kills me to see him suffering like this. He’s been putting an immense amount of pressure on himself because he’s missed some deadlines. Not to mention that the movie is stalled without a script. I think the stress is blocking his creativity. Writers need to write, or they begin to have mental and emotional problems.” She sat back. “Whatever you can do to help him, do it.”
“I’ll try my best.” Allie began to understand why Gavin’s muscles were clenched so rigidly. He was carrying a heavy load of responsibility.
“I have a feeling your best is impressive,” Jane said, giving her a warm smile. “By the way, I might have another patient for you.”
Allie forced herself not to hug the agent. “Thank you for the vote of confidence. Let me know who, when, and where.”
There was a stir as an auburn-haired man strode into the room. “Doc, it’s good to see you,” Luke Archer said, shaking the new arrival’s hand.
“Congratulations on your Super Bowl triumph and your retirement,” the doctor said. “I’m glad you decided to stop punishing your body before it was too late.”
“I could have played another four years easy,” Luke said, “but I found better things to do with my time.” He looked across at Miranda with a private message in his eyes.
Allie nearly sighed out loud.
Jane stood. “Now here’s someone you should meet. Come with me.”
The doctor greeted the rest of the group as Jane and Allie approached.
“Allie, I’d like you to meet Dr. Ben Cavill,” Jane said. “Ben, allow me introduce you to this very talented physical therapist, Allie Nichols. She’s working with Gavin quite successfully.”
Ben raised his eyebrows in surprise as he shook Allie’s hand. “Miller hired a PT? I’m shocked.”
Everyone seemed to know about Gavin’s prickly personality, yet they all cared about him. Gavin was a fortunate man.
“I hired her, but she did the heavy lifting of persuading him to accept treatment,” Jane said.
Nathan swiveled to look at Allie. “I’d like to offer you a position on my contract-negotiation team.”
The group laughed, and Allie felt color light her cheeks at the compliment. “Deep down, he knew he needed help, so it wasn’t that difficult,” she said.
“When Gavin most needs help, that’s when he pushes you away,” Miranda said, her brown eyes filled with understanding.
“I’m always looking for good specialists to recommend,” the doctor said. “Let’s go talk shop.”
Once again Allie sat in the Sherlock Holmes corner, except this time she felt as though she was going through her PT final exams all over again. Ben Cavill knew his stuff and wanted to make sure she knew hers. She must have passed, because at the end of their conversation, he handed her his business card and asked for hers.
Allie nearly broke into a jig as she and the doctor headed back to the main seating area. Jane had disappeared, probably to stand watch over her authors. Allie slid into a chair that was slightly removed from the intimidating group of friends and let the conversation flow around her.
The only time she was tempted to join in was when Chloe and Nathan began discussing their wedding plans. Allie wanted to know why they were getting married at a Marine base in North Carolina when they could rent an entire cathedral, but didn’t want to presume to ask. As if reading her mind, Chloe turned and said, “Nathan’s father is a major general in the Marine Corps and is stationed at Camp Lejeune, so we’re going to have the arch of swords in full regalia.”
“That sounds magnificent,” Allie said.
“Chloe and my father have forged a close alliance,” Nathan said. “When those two master tacticians put their heads together, I stay out of their way.”
The approach of new voices interrupted the conversation, and Gavin walked in, surrounded by a small entourage. He was carrying a cardboard carton and talking with Kendra Leigh, who looked like she would turn and flee when she saw everyone gazing in her direction.
Gavin stopped to survey the group. “Good evening, my friends. I’d like you to meet the new sensation of the mystery-writing world, Kendra Leigh. She has very kindly signed copies of her debut book for you, and I am presenting them as my gifts.” He slid the carton onto the coffee table and pulled out two copies of the paperback. “There’s one slight catch. Seth, the marketing manager, wants to take a photo of all of us with the books in our hands.” He nodded to the young man who’d been Allie’s guide.
Kendra looked panic-stricken, so Allie edged over to her as Gavin and Seth discussed the best way to fit everyone into the photo. “Is this your first book signing?”
The writer swallowed. “Yes.”
“Gavin says your story is terrific. I can’t wait to read it.”
“He really said that? I thought he endorsed my book because we have the same editor.”
Allie laughed. “Gavin is brutally frank, so he wouldn’t praise your book if he didn’t mean it.”
“But he’s been so nice to me tonight.” Kendra looked confused. “He gave me some pointers on how to keep the line moving and even suggested a tagline for my autograph.”
So Gavin could be kind and helpful. Maybe that explained why he still had friends, despite his crankiness.
“All right, we have a plan.” Seth raised his voice to get their attention. He proceeded to arrange the group in a way that suggested they were carrying on an interesting conversation about Kendra’s book. Allie gave him kudos for composition, even as she did her best to hide in a corner so no one felt obliged to include her in the publicity shot.
“Allie!” Gavin shifted out of his position to find her. “You need to be in here, too.”
“No, I’m good,” she said, moving a step farther away.
His affable host mask fell away, and he frowned, saying with a note of irritability, “Allie.”
She almost laughed as she gave up and walked toward him. This was the Gavin she knew.
Seth positioned her between Gavin and Chloe, who had been selected to hold a copy of Kendra’s book in a way that made the cover visible without looking like a deliberate display. “If you don’t already have a marketing manager, I’d hire this guy,” Allie murmured to Gavin as she watched Seth finish the arrangements and raise his cell phone to snap several shots.
“A thousand thanks from all of us at Murder Unlimited,” Seth said. “This will be on the store’s Facebook page and as many other outlets as I can persuade to use it.”
As everyone relaxed and fell into more natural poses, Seth jogged up to Gavin. “Would you mind checking my caption and adding a couple of names?”
Gavin took the proffered phone and pointed to the photo. “That’s Chloe Russell, Nathan’s fiancée. And this is Allie Nichols, my, er, assistant.” He lifted an eyebrow at Allie and gave her a half smile before he tilted the phone so she could see it. She winced at the sight of her hair looking like a splotch of orange paint, but everyone else appeared to be at a cozy cocktail party that just happened to include books.
“Will you e-mail me a copy?” Gavin asked as he handed the phone back to Seth. “I’ll put it in my scrapbook.” Another slanted smile at Allie.
Kendra bolted almost as soon as the photo was taken, but the rest of the group stayed around, chatting for another few minutes. Allie was flattered and touched that Gavin kept her by his side, making sure she was included in the conversations.
As people began to say farewell, Chloe leaned in to give Allie a quick hug. “We’re having a little dinner party Saturday night—just a few friends, including Gavin. Why don’t you come? We’d love to have you.”
Astonishment robbed Allie of coherent thought. She caught an echo of the same feeling on Nathan’s face as he glanced down at his fiancée. “Um, I, well, thank you.” She had no idea whether to accept or decline. She had no plans for the weekend, so there was nothing holding her back except the fact that these people were ultra-rich, and she was nearly flat broke.
“Great,” Chloe said, misunderstanding Allie’s stammer and giving her a happy smile. “Gavin knows our address. Come at seven.”
The VIP Doubles Down (Wager of Hearts Book 3) Page 9