Page 160 of The Build-a-Boyfriend Project

“I just have to say, I’m the biggest fan! I’ve read this book like ten times already,” Eli teases, the employees clearly not sure how to react just yet.

“Only because I begged you to.”

“Yeah, well, who else was going to copyedit it for you before you sent it to your editor?” Eli squats so that he’s eye-to-eye with Peter, despite this being one of the few precious occasions when he’d get to be taller.

“I didn’t want her to think I don’t know basic grammar.”

“But you know Java. And I’d like to remind you that checking your grammar is literally in your copyeditor’s job description.”

“So . . . let’s see who I have to sign this to,” Peter says, flipping open the paperback. “‘Eli.’ You know, my boyfriend has that name too.”

Eli smiles. He doesn’t ever think he’ll get tired of hearing Peter say “my boyfriend.”

“Good, it’s an excellent one,” Eli says. “I even picked it out myself.”

“‘Excellent’ might be a stretch; I hear he’s named after a hobbit.”

“Oh!” Eli lets his mouth hang open in shock. “The author has jokes! That’s the last time I tell you anything personal.” Eli laughs along with Peter.

“Was I okay up there?” Peter eyes the stage. “Do you think I did all right?”

“You did amazing,” Eli promises, reaching for Peter’s hand across the table.

“You’re not just saying that?”

“I am saying it,” Eli tells him. “Which is how you know I’m telling you the truth.”

Peter smiles at him. “Thanks.”

“Also, my mother and John would like to pass along their congratulations, as well as an apology for not being here. They had a fundraiser they couldn’t miss.”

“That’s okay, we’ll see them this weekend, right? Before I leave for Sacramento.”

“Definitely.”

“Um, excuse me! Can you two stop flirting? We’d like to get our books signed,” Rose shouts from behind Eli.

Peter chuckles. “I’m glad they could make it.”

“They’ve been waiting all week.” Eli taps on the book. “Now sign, so I can get out of here and back to my boyfriend.”

Peter grins. “I’m sure he’s a lovely guy.”

Eli smiles back at him. “He is. Perfect, actually.” Eli stands up straight.

“You didn’t think that was too much?”

“I’m sure they appreciated the authenticity,” Eli promises. “Besides, it was very sweet.”

“Thank you.”

Eli leans across the table, giving Peter a soft kiss on his forehead. “You’re welcome, tiger.”

“Hurry uuup!” Patricia groans, pretending to roll her eyes. “I’ve been waiting for weeks to meet my favorite author.”

Eli and Peter continue to stare at one another. “I guess I should let the circus act have their turn.”

“I guess you should.”