Page 37 of Text Appeal

“Let’s give finding common interests another go. We’ll try a more benign topic this time, like what’s a film or series you enjoyed recently?”

“Lu and I did a rewatch ofThe Unbearable Weight of Massive Talentwith Pedro Pascal and Nicholas Cage. It’s one of her favorites. The scene where they’re high is fucking hilarious. Have you seen it?”

“No. I’ve been comfort watchingCrash Landing on You.”

“Don’t think I’ve heard of that one.”

“It’s a K drama.”

He nods contemplatively. “Humor, film, and television may not be our thing. What does that leave?”

“I don’t know. But having things in common is important for a relationship. We have to find something if we want to sell this.”

“You keep saying that.”

“It’s the truth,” I say.

“This is kind of a clinical way of looking at it,” he answers. “What if, and hear me out here, we just saw each other and wanted to fuck each other’s brains out? Some relationships are all about the physical, right?”

“A passing need to get into each other’s pants isn’t going to get the job done. It isn’t going to convince people that you’re better off with me than your ex.”

“Do you honestly think instant lust is less likely or believable than your idea of us falling in instant love?”

I sigh. “Let’s agree to disagree. I know, what do you do to relax?”

“Go for a drive or hang out at home. There’s an old Torino in the garage that I’ve been working on in my spare time.”

“You like fixing things.”

“I like engines. They make sense to me. The ones without computers, at least.”

“And what’s your taste in music?”

“Rock. Indie. Blues. Heavy Metal. Some Country.” He shrugs. “I’ll pretty much listen to anything.”

“Maybe music’s too easy,” I say. “What about books? Who’s your favorite author?”

“I don’t think I’ve read a book since leaving school.”

My jaw falls open. “I feel sad for you.”

“We’re not doing so great, are we?” he asks unhappily.

“No. Not really.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, Ava is once again watching. She too is having a seemingly bad time. Her lips are a thin, unimpressed line and there’s more than a hint of annoyance on her face. But it’s pushed aside when her attention turns to me. Now she’s pure confidence with her head held high. Like she’s taken my measure and is reassured she’ll soon have what she wants. Which is not happening. Not on my watch.

I lean in and give him a smile. “The existential horror on your handsome face has been noted by several onlookers.”

“Shit.” He smooths the frown. “You said I’m handsome.”

“You know you’re handsome.”

He shrugs a shoulder. “Not to play into the himbo stereotype, but I hope you’re not going to make me read books so we have more in common.”

“Don’t worry, we don’t have time for that. We’re just going to have to go with opposites attract. The fewer lies the better. Less chance of us saying the wrong thing. Didn’t you say she used to put her hand in the pocket of your pants?”

“That’s right.”

---