Page 18 of Not in My Book

I ran my fingers softly along the counter. “I did.”

She hopped up onto the counter, still sipping her tea. “What’d he think about it?”

I bit back a smile. “You know, I think he really resonated with the main character.”

Alexa gave a softha. “Maybe this crazy scheme will work after all.”

On Monday, I ran into Aiden before the start of class. He was waiting outside the Writer’s House, leaning against the gate surrounding the entrance. When he saw me, he pushed off the gate and peered down at me. “Hi, Rosie.”

“You’re weirdly chipper.” I frowned, automatically suspicious that he’d called me Rosie.

I narrowed my eyes at him, hoping I could read on his face what game he was playing at. My jaw nearly dropped in shock when he stepped forward to hold the door open for me.

I hesitated. Had he been possessed? The Aiden I knew would never do this. In fact, he’d pretend to open the door for me, then shove past me to walk through it first. Something was up.

“Are you sick?” I asked, stepping past him. I got a whiff of his cologne, somehow warm andsharp.I pretended I didn’t love it.

“No.”

“You’re being nice. It’s weird.”

“I literally just said hi to you.”

“Exactly.”

“I’m guessing you didn’t read chapter two,” he said as we walked down the hall toward our classroom. He bent his head just a fraction as he spoke to me, his ear titled toward his shoulder.

“Shit,” I said, stopping in place. I looked up at him and grabbed his hand. “I’m sorry, I completely forgot! Don’t tell Ida.” He looked between my hands and his, raising his eyebrows. I dropped his hand like it was fire, wiping my own off on my coat. “I don’t want her to think we aren’t getting along.”

“No worries,” he said coolly. Obviously, worry seeped through me at his tone. Since when was Aidencalm? “I won’t say anything if you won’t. After you.” He nodded me into the classroom.

We’d each have to read our respective chapters out loud. Ida had already explained to the class what she described as “our special project” in her weekly email to the class.

“Rosie, why don’t we start with you and Aiden today? I’m excited to see what you two have put together.”

My leg bounced rapidly against the table. My skin prickled, my fingers clenching into fists. Aiden caught my eye and glared at me.

“Stop it,” he mouthed, nodding at the table shaking slightly.

“Bite me,” I mouthed back.

He glanced at Ida before mouthing, “Stop worrying. It’ll be fine.”

“Rosie, you can begin whenever you’re ready.”

My eyes flickered across the table to Aiden’s, and he nodded once in encouragement. My chest warmed, for just a second. Maybe the other day at the caféwas a fluke. Maybe he’d been nervous andthat’swhy he left. Maybe the hatred had shifted to playfulness, and we were on our way to becoming friends. And maybe I wasn’t too opposed to that idea.

I began reading my chapter. Along the way, my shaky voice became stronger and, as I reread my words, Iknewthey were good. I glanced at Ida, hoping to gauge her reaction, but she was unreadable.

When I earned a few chuckles, I straightened, pride blooming. It was times like these, when my writing seemed indestructible, that I was so certain I’d made the right choice to move to New York.Of coursethis was what I was meant to do with my life.

Just as the dialogue began, I frowned. Something was off. Aiden had changed my character’s name to Max.

I had originally named her Meg, after Meg Ryan. I planned to find a way to pay homage to her later in the novel, too. I kept reading, annoyed that Aiden would do something so petty without asking.

Once I finished, Ida spoke up. “I think it’s best if we go straight into Aiden’s chapter, then discuss the two together.”

I glared at Aiden from across the table. I wasn’t stupid, either—he was getting back at me for naming the male lead after him. Clearly Max had been named after my last name, Maxwell. I had no doubt this next chapter would be as slanderous to me as mine was to him.

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