Meant to Be (Sweetbriar Cove #1)(65)

The crowd broke into applause, and Eliza wrapped up the panel. "That was great," she said to Poppy, as they headed off stage. "You're a natural."

"Really? I felt like my hand was shaking so hard my mic was trembling." Poppy looked around, wanting to catch Cooper before she went to sign books. But when she looked for him, there was no sign of his tousled dark hair to be seen. She frowned, straining on her tiptoes. Maybe he was over at the signing tent already.

"Darling, fantastic." Quinn swooped in, smothering her in a hug. "I loved that part about your new book, there have already been a dozen tweets from people in the audience. They can't wait!"

"They'll have to wait a few more months." Poppy dragged her attention back. "I'm still not done with the first draft."

Quinn waved it away. "But what you have written so far is phenomenal. Now, let's go sign some books for your adoring fans!"

She swept Poppy off, but Poppy hung back, scanning the crowd one last time. She thought she saw Cooper in the hallway and lifted her hand to wave, but then he turned around and melted into the crowd, and was gone.





21





Cooper hung back and watched Poppy as she signed books for the line of fans waiting patiently after the event. He hadn't seen her for days, and watching her like this, in her element, her smile hit him all over again. Even though there were two dozen or more readers waiting, she didn't rush anyone: taking a moment to chat and exchange a few words as she wrote her name with a flourish. Her face lit up with every new encounter, and he could see how much it meant to her to greet them all in turn, posing for photographs and accepting gifts and praise.

Her words mattered to them. Those stories he'd dismissed were a part of their lives, and that was something pretty amazing.

Like their author.

A new fan rushed forward to talk to Poppy, her arms filled with a stack of books. Poppy welcomed her like an old friend, holding up the covers to show the people with her, and hugging the reader. "I can't believe you have all the old covers!" Cooper heard her exclaim, and the woman almost cried, tripping over her words to explain how much those books had meant to her.

He felt a stab of pride. This was Poppy's gift. She connected with them, through her books, through those words she typed on every page. She put her heart out there for everyone to see, and they loved her for it.

Like he did.

The knowledge dropped through him like a stone. But of course it was true, that was the damn shame of it. He loved her. This beautiful, talented, infuriating woman was offering up her heart to him, but as much as he wanted to grab her tight and never let go, the past still had its hold on him, shackles slowing every footstep until it seemed like he'd never be free.

He wasn't made for love. That's what he'd been telling himself these past three years, and as much as he wanted to believe something different, those words seemed carved too deep to erase.

How could it be any different this time?

"Cooper!" Poppy saw him, and waved him over. She bounced out of her seat to kiss him in greeting. "You made it! This is my agent Quinn, meet Cooper."

A woman in tight black denim and a crisp blazer arched an eyebrow. "Are you the one to thank for breaking her writer's block?" Quinn gave him a red, glossy smile. "I can see why. Hello."

"Quinn," Poppy giggled and elbowed her. "Sorry." She beamed, turning back to Cooper. "Ignore her. I'm glad you're here. Did you catch the panel? I won't be long signing, you can wait here, or in the green room . . ."



       
         
       
        

She was babbling, and Cooper detected a nervous flicker in her expression. He could guess why. He'd been distancing himself all week, telling himself a little space was all he needed. She'd let him be, but it was clear she knew something wasn't right.

"I don't want to interrupt. I can walk around," he said, feeling eyes on him from everyone waiting in line.

"Nonsense," Quinn interrupted. "You can keep me company, I need to find a decent cup of coffee."

Cooper smiled. "Now I know why you two get along."

Poppy flashed him a smile, and the next person edged forward. "Is this your boyfriend?" the older woman asked, beaming. "Look at you, you make such a cute couple! It's no wonder you write such romantic stories."

Cooper cleared his throat. He could feel the eyes on him-not just this reader, but the rest of the waiting line, too. "You know what, I'll go get you both that coffee," he said, already backing away. "I'll, um, see you in a bit."