Page 6 of Book Bae

“I don’t know, sis,” Jade stated.

“I’m going to find the perfect man to give me the most romantic night of my life. He’ll be all that and then some.”

“How do you know Tyrus isn’t him?” Yashika asked.

“Trust me, I know. I might have to travel out of Cherokee Springs, is all I’m saying, but I will find someone who will give me the perfect night of my life.”

“What happens after that night?” Symone asked.

“If he’s my book bae, we’ll find our way to our HEA. I’m not saying that we won’t have to put in the work, but he’ll be a good man.”

“Best friend, do you even know how to build a successful relationship? You’ve spent all of your adult life building this freaking travel agency and fantasies.”

“But it’s successful, Mone,” I argued, calling Symone by her nickname.

“But at what point are you going to step out of fantasyland and into reality? You have no life. You have had a handful of dates and nothing real or substantial. You’re almost forty, and you’re married to your company,” Jade declared.

“And now you’re talking about this fairy-tale night. You know it won’t happen, and it will be one more excuse of why you’re still a virgin,” Yashika commented and rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, sis. It’s time for you to lower those standards and let someone in your heart and those thighs!” Symone declared as she high-fived and laughed with the other girls.

“I can show y’all better than I can tell y’all. Watch how my life is about to change in the next couple of months,” I refuted.

My voice was strong, but my convictions weren’t. What if they were right? What if I couldn’t find the man I was looking for? What if I grew into an old maid?

TWO MONTHS LATER

“I wasn’t looking for a woman. Women somehow tumbled in my path. With or without panties, they were always there—but her, there was something different about her. She made me want her, want to take a second chance on love. It was crazy, but I knew she’d be my wife.” – Love You Hard, MJ Stone

“Thank you for coming out, Mike. Your readers were really hyped when they learned you would be here.”

“Thank you for having me, Quinn. I’m honored.”

“You’re honored?” she asked, chuckling and shaking her head. “Brother, we didn’t think we could get you. The only reason that I did decide to ask was because my husband challenged me to be bold enough to reach out to your agent and ask. He said, ‘Quinn, closed mouths don’t get fed.’”

“He’s right. You should’ve been asked. I would have done it.”

“I’ve never seen you do one of these book conferences before. You always do private, invitation only book signings.”

“That’s because no one has ever asked me.”

We were shouting over the music like all the other attendees at the Books, Baes & Besties book event. She was right; I didn’t usually do these types of events, but Arabella had talked me into it. She thought it was the perfect launchpad to announce my upcoming mystery novel, Can You See Me, written under the pen name Mike Jamison.

I had two of them: Mike Jamison and MJ Stone. I had created Mike with my first novel in an attempt to keep my personal life and growing career separate.

“Damn, if only I had known that I would’ve been asked you. Once we announced that you would be here, ticket sales skyrocketed.”

Chuckling, I replied, “I’m glad.”

“You should be,” she replied, laughing. “We’re paying you a hefty fee for your attendance. I was worried if we would be able to cover the cost, but I shouldn’t have been.”

I winked and thanked her again as I made my way to mingle with other authors.

“Mike! It’s good to see you here, bro.” Rick Powers, a sci-fi author, greeted me.

“My man. It’s been what? Three years?” I asked.

“Try doubling that.”