Never 'Til Now

Chapter 38

The downtown Chicago bookstore hummed excitedly as fans eagerly awaited Olivia's book tour kick-off. The venue displayed banners and posters featuring the new book cover, reflecting the anticipation in the air. As the crowd gathered, Olivia struggled with stage fright, and she hid in one of the aisles.

Sam found her, spotting her hiding in the shadows. He approached with a reassuring smile. "Hey, you've got this," he whispered, pulling her into a comforting embrace against his chest and wrapped her tightly in his arms.

Olivia, grateful for him being there when she needed him most, leaned into him. Sam tilted her chin up and captured her lips in a passionate kiss to distract her from the nerves that were consuming her.

Olivia's agent, Silvia, approached with a pointed look, reminding them it was time to start the event. "Save that for later, you two. It's showtime," Silvia chided playfully, gesturing towards the podium.

Sam and Olivia reluctantly disentangled themselves. Olivia took a deep breath, steeling herself, and took her place at the front of the store.

As Olivia stood behind the podium, the spotlight focused on her; she could feel the eyes of the audience fixed on her. The hushed whispers of excitement filled the room. Silvia's encouraging nod pushed Olivia to begin her presentation.

"Thank you all for being here today. It means the world to me," Olivia began, her voice was steady as she addressed the eager crowd. She delved into the inspiration behind her book, weaving insights into a captivating narrative.

When it came time to read a passage from the first chapter, Olivia's nerves transformed into passion. The words flowed effortlessly, drawing the audience into the world she had crafted with her writing. The bookstore's atmosphere became a living, breathing entity, resonating with the emotions written in the pages of her book.

After the reading, Olivia spent the next hour signing copies of her book for fans who had shown up to support her. The line snaked through the aisles, a clear sign for the anticipation surrounding the final novel in the series. Each signed book became a personal connection between Olivia and her readers, a tangible expression of their shared journey.

Sam stood close by Olivia's side throughout the signing, offering a reassuring smile when she needed encouragement.

As the crowd began to thin out, Olivia took Sam by the hand and led him towards a distinguished-looking man waiting in the corner of the bookstore. "Dad, this is Sam," Olivia said warmly, introducing the man she cared deeply about. "Sam, meet my dad, Troy."

Troy, a tall and imposing figure, extended his hand for a handshake. His expression toughened, and he gave Sam a once-over before speaking. "Sam, huh? Olivia's been talking about you. I hope you're up to the challenge of being with my daughter."

Sam, trying to conceal his nerves, managed a firm handshake. "Nice to meet you, sir. Olivia's pretty amazing, but I'm doing my best to keep up."

Troy ignored his compliment about Olivia, and his eyes bore into Sam as he continued his interrogation. "So, Sam, what do you do for a living?"

Sam knew the importance of this question and answered honestly, "I run a carpentry business. Custom furniture, refurbishing antiques, and renovations."

Troy's stern expression intensified, and he leaned in, scrutinizing Sam. "Carpentry, huh? Not the typical profession I'd expect."

Sam, feeling the pressure, responded, "Well, I enjoy it, and it keeps me busy."

Troy chuckled suddenly, surprising Sam, who didn't know if laughter was a good or a bad sign. "I'm just messing with you, Sam. Olivia's briefed me on you, and I appreciate you being good to my little girl."