Page 61 of Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming

How dare this bitch air out my personal business!I’m at fucking work.This is my damn job.

Aimee sees Lyric head over to the two employees nearby, Olly and Leigh Ann. She hears Lyric mention San Fran Rom Fan Con, and all-expenses paid accommodations for both of them.

Because this bitch has no chill, my friend has to bribe folks to keep their mouth shut.What is her end goal?Doesn’t she know the minute she leaves I’m calling Patrick?

“So, you were watching us for a lot longer than you let on?” Aimee suggests.

“Whatever. Patrick doesn’t do relationships, and he’s never brought a woman home. We’re already a family. You need to leave us alone.”

She picks up her book and turns to leave, but right before she reaches the door, she turns and looks at the ladies before dumping Aimee’s book in the trash, then exits.

“You okay, Aims?” Suchi asks.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Dr. Turner, if that lady comes back, we can call the police,” Olly says.

“Thank you, Olly, but that’s okay.”

“And don’t worry, we have all kinds of strange things happen at book signings. We won’t say anything,” Leigh Ann mentions.

Aimee nods and says, “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

The last thing Aimee wants is a bunch of randoms on social media all in her business.

“Come on, Aimee. Let’s go,” Lyric says. She turns to Olly and Leigh Ann. “Thank you. I’ll be in contact.”

“Of course, Ms. Fuqua,” Leigh Ann says.

The ladies gather around Aimee and head out.

“We definitely should have jumped her,” Bridget says, making Aimee laugh.

5

PATRICK

Being with Aimee is a dream. Now that they’re older and wiser, their relationship is deeper and more thoughtful. He knows he can trust her and tell her anything, and she knows the same. At least, he hopes. She said she forgave him, and he believes her. He hopes she sees him as a safe space and believes he won’t hurt her again.

His phone buzzes. It’s her.

How did she know I was thinking about her?He smiles down at his phone.

He answers, “Hey, baby! How did the signing go? Again, I’m sorry I couldn’t be there.”

“No worries, Patrick. Courtney’s soccer game was more important. But speaking of Courtney, her mom paid me a visit at the bookstore.”

Patrick takes a breath and closes his eyes.

This is not good.

Patrick and Sheila had a talk after his first date with Aimee, who was asleep when he headed to the guest house and had to remind the mother of his child of what boundaries are—and how she needed to remember them. Looks like he has to do it again.

“What did she say to you?”

“Not much, just that I was disrupting your family, my presence wasn’t needed, and to stay away from you. She also mentioned what we did in your garden too, by the way. Patrick, I don’t think I need to remind you that being an author is my job just as much as being a teacher is. That woman showed up at my place of work and acted a fool.”

“I’ll take care of this.”