~•~
26 year old, Connor Deluca, is a professional Hockey player in the NHL; who just moved into the expensive Citrus Grove Community.
23 year old, Serena Jade, is the recluse famous author known to the public only under her pen name Skylyn Voss, and...
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Connor leaned against one of the bookshelves in the back of the room. A leather jacket wrapped around his strong arms, opening up to a black t-shirt underneath. He stayed tucked away in the crowd, there to listen.
He didn't want to distract her and ruin this moment for her. If she saw him, he knew it would only throw her off. Connor wanted to be there for her like she was yesterday.
So he bided his time, thought over, and sorted through the messy feelings in his chest. Hearing her speak only made everything fit into place.
Through the spaces between people's heads, he saw the sheer strength on her face. Standing there alone, facing the one thing that scared her most. Connor felt an undeniable pride fill his chest, followed by a smile taking over his lips.
He crossed his arms over his chest, feeling his heart beat like it was finally whole again. He finally figured out where all his turmoil was brewing from. Until now, he was living with half his heart, and he found it again last night. It was lost up there with that enigma of a woman, lost in the endless depths of her blue eyes, and the reward of making a smile fill those lips.
Connor took a deep breath when she finished, knowing that no one else but him understood the relief and happiness on her face. He wanted to run up there and scoop her up in his arms. He wanted to tell her repeatedly how amazing she was with his lips pressed against her skin.
But he refrained. With his worn book tucked under his arm, he joined the crowd in an explosion of applause. Right now was her moment and hers alone to enjoy.
~•~
Connor stood in the line of eager readers, feeling the swell of nerves like everyone else. Before he met Serena, he was like many of these readers.
But now his anxious nerves were for something completely unrelated.
He thumbed through the pages of his worn book, trying to gather his words and figure out the best way to say what he was feeling.
However, when it was finally his turn, all those built of tensions melted from his body. He couldn't help but look down at the laser-focused Serena bent over the books she was signing in complete concentration.
All of it just fell into place, and when she looked into his eyes, Connor felt his world click into place. He took a deep breath and barely registered Melody interjecting.
"I know this event is for Skylyn, but I came here for Serena." He held her wide blue eyes like the only source of oxygen was in her hues. He leaned down with his hand propped against the table and spoke a bit lower, "I hope that's okay."
Her mouth fell open with a shaky breath as if remembering the line of people and cameras in the room. People were whispering, and he could hear the breath of his name being murmured.
