I was going down the sidewalk with a small plastic bag in hand. I had just bought a death metal CD. I thought it fitting, though I am more classic rock and punk. I was contemplating what to have for lunch when I noticed there was a long line outside of the bookstore up ahead. What’s that all about? Did Rowling decide to make an eighth book? As I got closer I noted the number of women out weighed the men one to twenty at least. Okay, was Rachael Ray signing cookbooks or what?

Being much like a cat by nature in some ways, I was curious. Of course also being a dick, I just went through the other door bypassing the long line. I got dirty looks from soccer moms. The line seemed to go straight to a table. So it was a book signing, though it definitely wasn’t Rachael Ray. It was hard to tell who was sitting there what with the horde of people blocking my view. I stayed off to the side and wandered down aisles till I found one that would give me a safe view. Of course any sort of spying must be conducted nonchalant and innocuous. So I picked a random book off the shelf and opened it up as if I was going to read it. Instead I looked over the top.

It was a man with a Cheshire like grin and a chiseled face underneath a spread of rough facial hair. He was sort of that ruggedly handsome, manly type that often got me weak in the knees. His since of style was small town in just a pair of jeans and a flannel over a t-shirt. His brown hair was cut short but unruly though I couldn’t tell his eye color from this distance and he wasn’t looking in this direction. He appeared to be that sort of slender muscular, but he definitely either worked out or had worked hard for a living. The sleeves of the flannel were rolled up to his elbows and I spotted a tattoo on the inside of his left wrist. Though I couldn’t quite make out what it was.

I bit my lip. He was possibly the most attractive thing I had seen in a while, including Kyle. That man was blond and blue eyed and fit, but a little more plain and his smile definitely did not look as captivating. I cleared my throat and reminded myself not to get a boner in a bookstore. Then set the book back on the shelf.

I made a casual beeline for the display of books this guy supposedly authored near the signing. I picked one up and put on a half-interested expression as I read the title and author.

The Avery Manor by Liam Steppe, it said.

Realization hit me quickly and changed my expression to one of shock. This is the guy Kyle is nearly obsessed with. He has all of his books, so he’s told me. I’ve always shrugged it off whenever he tried to get me into these novels. Regency romance rubbish is not my thing. I prefer science fiction or suspense spy novels. According to Kyle, Mr. Steppe was the best gay author out there, but I would beg to differ. Another thing occurred to me as I set the book down. If this was advertised around town, then Kyle had to be here.

I turned around and scanned the crowd for the familiar blond locks and immediately spotted him closer to the door with a book under one arm and the twink in the flesh under the other. Ugh, I needed a smoke right then. The kid was dark haired and extra thin with a big mouth and buggy eyes. He was shorter than both Kyle and I and looked younger too. A flamer if I ever saw one. It was disgusting really. I wanted to hurl too then have a cigarette. Gag me.

My gaze returned to the hot lumberjack writer, or supposedly Liam Steppe. I always thought he would be a chick with just a pen name. I guess I was wrong and kind of glad I was. My mind began to wander into fantasies of licking frosting off his body and other kinky activities. I love frosting.

I was pulled out of a particularly exotic reverie when someone cleared their throat. I blinked and looked up into a pair of vibrant mischievous green eyes. Whoa. I jumped back and realized it was that Liam guy. Oh shit. What should I say? I didn’t have to say anything though because he spoke first.

“Hey there, mind if I have a cup of coffee?” he said with that grin. He had dimples.

“What?” I was embarrassingly confused and stunned.

He just motioned behind me, seeming at ease. I glanced in his suggested direction to see a portable coffee dispenser, sugar, cream, stirs, and Styrofoam cups. Oh. I felt like an idiot. I frowned at it and then moved out of the way. He actually chuckled and moved over to the table to make himself a cup. As he did so I got a quick glance at his rear end. That’s nice. He turned back to me and I stood up straight. He was smirking at me and somehow that got me annoyed. I crossed my arms and frowned.

“What?” I asked sharply.

“I am just wondering what you were thinking about before to get such an expression on your face,” was his reply and he took a sip from the cup.

That made me blush since I had been thinking about him in an inappropriate way. But I managed to control myself, ready to take this guy on. I could be cool and composed.

“I was thinking,” I paused when I saw Kyle looking this way with a weird expression. He almost looked…envious? His twink was looking sulky in comparison. He most likely preferred to be out shopping with his girl friends or hitting some new club. He chose this guy over me? Then the most brilliant plan came into fruition in the ever great mind I possessed. “That you could do me a favor,” I finally finished looking up at Liam with a Cheshire smile of my own. I was going nowhere before in my ideas but this one seemed too perfect to be true.

Liam seemed to be the confused one now. “Um, sure?”

I placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered into his ear, going up on my toes. I revealed my ingenious plan to him and he glanced over his shoulder at Kyle when I finished. He turned back to me and laughed, “Why not?” Despite his lame books, this guy was really growing on me, and fast.

He stepped closer to me and threaded his fingers in my golden thick hair and pulled my face forward. Our lips met in a heated kiss and eventually his tongue pried mine open. He didn’t have to, but I didn’t mind. Christ, he was a devastatingly good kisser. Since this was to get back at Kyle for his cowardly, loser way of ending things with me and hooking up with the colorful stick, I put a lot of show into it. My hand even traveled down to grasp Liam’s ass, which was pleasantly firm. I hear a variety of gasps, shrieks, squeals, and “oh my god’s” from the crowd.

We finally pulled apart breathing a little heavier and shared a smile. There was something there in that moment, but it passed quickly and I didn’t think on it. I peered over to see Kyle’s reaction. He looked like a very surprised blushing codfish. Mission accomplished. I chatted with Liam while he was on his break before I said farewell and made my way out with a wink at Kyle and his new boy toy. He glared at me and I felt happier than I had been in a long while. Revenge can be very sweet sometimes, even the smallest kind.

When I got home, I found Liam’s book in my bag from the music store. The inside cover had a message in printed handwriting. I liked how untidy it was.

Lunch. Tomorrow. 12:30. Then a number followed it. I smirked and sat back on the couch stroking my fingers over my cat’s fur. The rest of September was going to be much more pleasant.

Relationships, cell phones, and love may be overrated, but getting even was definitely not. It had its perks. Note to self: Lorna is a genius.