The group stands up together as Nathan takes the time to hug each and every member of the VIP group, smiling at everyone and thanking them for both coming to the event and being a fan of his. Still nervous from the last thing Nathan said to me at the beginning of the hour, I wait until everyone is finished saying their goodbyes before I step up and try to sneak in a hug. When I try to move in the way everyone else did, Nathan gently takes me by the hand and pulls me over to the side so no one can hear us. I follow his lead as panic grips my chest and we find ourselves between two bookshelves, still within everyone’s view, but too far away to be heard.

“I finally got you to myself. Listen, I don’t mean to be forward,” he starts, clutching my attention in the palm of his hand as my blood flows so fast I can hear it in my ears. “Are you married or dating anyone?”

I almost choke on my own spit. “Umm, no. I just got dumped a little over a week ago, actually. Why do you ask?”

“Because I was wondering if maybe you’d like to have dinner with me,” he says, locking eyes with me once again. His gaze is intense and I feel like I can’t look away.

“I … you wanna have dinner with me?” I ask, stunned by the question.

“I’d love to,” he answers.

“Why?” I ask, in complete disbelief, and he just smiles, totally unaffected.

“There’s just something about you that intrigues me,” Nathan replies. “Not to mention you're the most gorgeous woman I think I’ve ever seen, and I don't say that lightly or as an exaggeration. You were the first person I saw when I stepped to the top of the escalator, before I ever came down for the signing. You have a radiance about you, and a smile that makes me want to stare, but I don’t want to be weird, especially in front of all these people. I’d like the opportunity to get to know you, and for you to get to know me. So, can I treat you to a night out, Alina Cruz?”