Love by the Book

It had been nine months since Celeste's book had been released. It sold slowly at first, but after getting rave reviews in the Entertainment Weekly, it had sky-rocketed to title of being the "it" book of the season. Celeste was sitting nervously at the Barnes and Noble store in downtown L.A. awaiting her very first book-signing. High sales, critical acclaim and a new legion of fans were not things this girl was used to. The crowd began to gather and she took time to pose for every picture, sign every book and answer as many questions as she could from the throng of people. The evening dwindled down, the store closed to the public and Celeste was enjoying a nice cup of java at the cafe, chatting with the store employees.

"Miss McGee, can I have a word please?" the store manager asked. She excused herself from the small group of book-sellers.

"There is a gentleman downstairs. He'd like you to sign his copy of your book. He asked me to tell you he'd be waiting by the self-help section."

Celeste was a little confused by this. Why would he be waiting? Was he an employee? Surely it wasn't a customer. They had all left a half-hour ago. She made her way down to the self-help section, pen in hand, a feeling of excitement waving over her. She saw the man there, his back to her, browsing through a book.

"Excuse me," she said quietly, not to frighten the man.

She heard a low 'thump' as he closed the book and placed it back on the shelf. He turned to her and smiled. He was wearing a brown fedora, adorned with a small white feather. His suit was of a Bohemian nature, soft earth tones with a bright green scarf around his neck. He was sporting some oddly circular eye glasses with thick brown frames. A tiny bit of stubble rested above his pursed lips and chin. He was gorgeous.

"Boy, am I glad you came down," he smiled, walking towards her. She was frozen in that spot, unable to take her eyes from him. He took out a copy of her book. "This book," he said, waving it slightly, "is one of the most well-written pieces of fiction I've read in a long, long time." He stepped closer. "It was like a breath of fresh air for me. Now-a-days anyone can get any sort of un-inspired garbage in print." He stepped even closer now, the tips of his shoes just inches from her own. "Would you sign it for me?"

Her heart was racing. She forced herself to smile. She opened the book with a shaking hand. She gulped.

"Wh-what's your name?" she asked nervously, even though she already knew his name. She closed her eyes, so not to see the look on his face.

He surveyed her as she closed her eyes. He knew she knew who he was. He smiled to himself. "Johnny," he said softly.

Celeste let a noise escape her throat that she had never made before. She didn't want to open her eyes out of fear of utter humiliation.

"Are you alright, Celeste?" he asked, trying not to laugh. She opened her eyes.

"I was...afraid you were gonna...say that," she studdered. "I'm just gonna..gonna...gonna...go over to this table. To...yeah...so the writing won't be...shaky." She slowly walked the few feet to the near by table. She took a few deep breaths before scribbling inside the jacket. "To Johnny. I can't put into words the gratitude I feel for what you said about this book- Celeste McGee."

She sighed heavily and turned to hand the book back to him. She was startled to see he was right behind her. She cleared her throat and handed the book to him. She watched as elegant hands wrapped around the binding, her mind immediately running off to a secret place where those hands were on her.

"What you said," she began, trying to maintain her composure, "I really appreciate it. I'm very grateful of how all....um...types of people have responded."

"My pleasure" he smiled. "I read the extended bio of you on your website. As well as your journal entries. I was fascinated."

She felt herself blush.

"I though 'this girl is different'. I have to meet her," he said. "Hell, the opening paragraph of your website had me hooked."

She blushed harder.

"Forgive me for being forward, but would you care to have a drink with me?"

Her mind was racing. Her body was trembling. She had forgotten how to speak.

"I understand if you can't...you must be very busy..."

"No..no," she said loudly. "Uh...yes. Yes. Yes, I'd love to have a drink of you. With! WITH! A drink WITH you!" She put her hands over her face to hide her embarrassment.

He tried not to laugh. "I know a great spot. 2 blocks down. Shall we go?"

She scratched her nose violently, something she did when she was nervous. "Yeah..um. Let me get some things....I have to, um, pack a few things in my car."

"Let me help you."

"Oh no, I got it..."

"I insist." He was smiling at her.