"There's no couch."

The hotel room was immaculate. Filled with warm afternoon light that glittered in from the expansive balcony, like specks of gold. The large bay windows that lead to the balcony overlooked a set of gothic buildings and a large clock tower that made up Ottowa's Parliament Hill. It was a breathtaking romantic scene, topped off with a detailed bedspread woven together with gold trim that created intricate floral patterns underneath a black lace comforter.

The red petals that led the way to the bed screamed to be noticed, like a neon blinking arrow that pointed to what was supposed to be the final destination. The whole thing was overwhelming, and led me to blurt out for the second time... "There's no couch."

I took a step into the room but stopped when Aiden placed his hand on my shoulder. "Let me do a sweep first."

"You really think the stalker came all the way to Canada and broke into a room that wasn't assigned until we got here?"

Aiden ran his fingers through his hair, looking flustered. "Humor me Summers. It's my job."

I nodded, and watched Aiden walk further into the room. He moved with quiet grace, checking ever corner for potential threats. The afternoon sun cast him in golden light, covering him in a glittering sheen that highlighted every curve. I didn't realize I was holding my breath until he turned to look back at me, his face in shadow, against the light.

"All clear."

The air between us was awkward, and full of unspoken, questions. Unable to form words, I nodded again. Aiden walked towards me, suddenly impossibly close. Leaning down slowly, he brought his face close to mine. My breath hitched in surprise. "It's safe."

The smell that could only belong to him wafted around me, filling my head with a dizzy giddiness. Warmth wrapping around me in an intoxicating fashion. My brain kicked into overdrive. Is he going to kiss me? Why is he so close? Oh my gosh, he smells amazing.

Aiden leaned closer, one arm brushing past my flannel shirt, sending my pulse to a life threatening speed. Then, leaning back, he walks back into the room, with my purse, bringing reality back with blaring clarity. Earth to Laliana. Keep it together girl. He was just reaching for my bag.

Placing it back down, he turned back. "You okay?"

"Hmm?" I cleared my throat and tried to not look like I was dying from being overheated. "What?"

"You look a little warm." Try on fire buddy.

Aiden poured me a glass of water. "Here. Lots of travel can leave you dehydrated."

I continued to stand near the front door, glued to the only safe spot in the room. I took a deep gulp from the glass when suddenly, a loud banging came from the door. Startled, I jumped and spilled water all down the front of my shirt. Great... Just great...

I moved to answer the front door, but Aiden was suddenly in front of it in a flash, blocking me from view in a protective fashion. "I'll see who it is."

"Open the door LOVE BIRDS! I have your bags! And I have no key!" Tate shouted.

Aiden threw the door open, and Tate clambered inside, huffing from the effort of carrying all of our luggage. "I swear, if...." He saw the room. "Holy crap. Did cupid throw up in here?!?"

Then he saw me. "What happened to you?"

"I spilled water on myself."

Tate snorted. "Sounds about right." Dropping all of the luggage on the luggage tray further in the room, he turned to look at us. "So... I take it you two are sharing a room?"

"There's no couch." I blurted.

Tate crossed his arms, fighting his amusement. "They aren't giving you a lot of options are they?" He looked at Aiden. "Well... we can figure that out later. We have a book signing to get too. Then we can figure out..." he waved his arm around. "This very interesting problem." He laughed as he walked out of the room. "Meet you down stairs in ten minutes."

...

"Father was going to murder me— no, that was impossible. Not when I now had the very weapon he would choose to kill me with," I said to the group of fans in front of me. Glancing up from the book.

They held their breaths, leaning forward in fascination as I shared an expert of the first book in the Seapunk Princess series. Princess Ara had just stolen her father's crown and was on the run, determined to wield his power to become the most feared captain in the ocean. Let let out a sigh as I closed the book and offered a shy smile. "Thank you."

The Black Squirrel Books and Tea Bookstore which had been deadly silent with anticipation before, was suddenly filled with cheers. The cozy bookstore was packed full of bodies and books. I much preferred the later, but it was exciting to see beaming faces. "Any questions?" I enjoyed book tours. I liked seeing people from all over the world. And I especially liked when I got to take my time, answering questions and getting to spend time with my readers.

A thirteen year old girl with thick glasses raised her hand. "Um.. Hi. I was just wondering..." She peeked to the left of the room, her face cherry red and then back at me. "Is that your boyfriend?" The girls in the audience giggled, casting glances at Aiden. Tate stood to the back of the room, offering me a smirk.

And this was the down side of not having someone running the book signing. I didn't have anyone to field questions. "Well..." I paused looking at the girl. "Should we ask him?" They all agreed in unison. Turning, I motioned for Aiden to come join me on stage, pretending with all the calm I could muster that I wasn't on the verge of hyperventilating.

Plucking up an empty chair, Aiden walked on stage and sat down next to me, offering the girl a smile. "What makes you think I'm her boyfriend?" He asked.

The girl grew flustered. "Um... well. I saw a picture of you at a resteraunt."

I saw several phones fly out of pockets as people began to live stream our conversation. "And you held her hand," the girl added, stating her case. "You looked like you like her."

Aiden chuckled, then after a beat, he turned to smile at me. "That's because I do like her."

Squeals filled the bookstore making me jump. It was louder than anything I had ever heard come out of a group of human's mouths. My face went red, and I stared down at my book, suddenly overwhelmed by the fake declaration. It looked so real, sounded so real, felt so real that I had to look away from his eyes. They were like sparks of fire as he spoke the words.

"And yes, we are dating," Aiden finished once the squeals died slightly. But this new revelation, the one that turned their curiosities into reality resulted in a mob of questions that left Tate with having to stand between Aiden and I, and a hundred screaming girls who had jumped to their feet.

Aiden grabbed my hand, pulling me back, but this only caused their excitement to rise, as they saw us holding hands. Oh my gosh. This is insane.

"We need to go Summers!" Aiden said over the noise. I shook my head. "But i haven't signed their books. I haven't gotten to—."

"No arguing Laliana!" Tate shouted. "Aiden, get her out!"

Then, with one final tug, Aiden and I ran through a set of book cases near the back of the store, Tate one step behind. Weaving our way through a maze of books, we dashed through the back exit, and into the night, the sound of disappointed screams echoing out behind us.

---

What is your favorite bookstore? Why do you love it so much?