Page 21 of Faking the Book Boyfriend

He takes another sip of his beer. It’s almost erotic how sexy it is when he swallows. His Adam’s apple slides up and then backdown. He exudes confidence with his legs spread wide. He’s so…manly.

He licks the beer off his lower lip. “I think it would be helpful for me to get firsthand information. Obviously you’re not married. Are you seeing anyone?”

I shake my head. “Not currently.”

“Why didn’t it work out with your last boyfriend?”

I grimace.

His face falls. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

“Yes, you did, but it’s fine. Frankly, he wasn’t either a cinnamon roll or a possessive man.” I’ve never thought of it that way, but it’s true. “The biggest problem was that he wasn’t…supportive.”

“In what ways?”

“I’m a lawyer, and he works in finance. I think, on paper, we made a lot of sense, both being what we each thought we wanted in a partner. He didn’t love how brash I can be, and he struggled with my romance writing career. He was embarrassed by it. Embarrassed by me.”

Trey waves his hand dismissively. “Fuck him. I think it’s cool that you write books.”

“Thank you. It was more than just that. He didn’t give me…that something extra. He accused me of thinking the men in my books were real. And that’s, in part, why we started this business. We’re trying to help men figure out how to play into the fantasies of women. The small things that go a long way.”

“What was his trope?”

I smile. “Ooh, that’s a tough one. As I’ve spent the past few months thinking about it, I think he was the asshole ex that is often present in romance books. The one the female character didn’t realize was Mr. Wrong until after they broke up but feels like a fool for not seeing it earlier until she realizes it was part of the journey to finding Mr. Right.” I mumble, “At least I hope I’m on that journey.”

He nods in understanding. “I’ve had a few Ms. Wrongs in my past too. How do I become the kind of boyfriend you want?”

“Different women want different things. Romance readers get fully engrossed in novels. They don’t slowly read our books. They don’t read a chapter a night for several weeks. They binge. Some read five or six books a week. Why do you think that is?”

He shrugs. “The sex scenes?”

I let out a laugh. “Maybe a little of that, but no, I don’t think that’s it. There are generally only five or six sex scenes in a full-length book. They’re a tiny percentage of the overall story. What they enjoy is the fantasy. A man who feeds into the dialogue of something they’re missing, something they want, or simply something that merely excites them.”

“Give me an example.”

I think for a moment. How can I best make this relatable to him? An idea occurs to me. “How about grand romantic gestures? Something huge and thoughtful that fictional men often do for their women. I know you don’t read romance novels, but have you seen romantic comedy movies?”

“Of course.”

“Isn’t there always some grand romantic gesture at the end of those movies? Richard Gere rides in with his head sticking out of his limo and climbs the fire escape for her inPretty Woman, giving her the fairytale she once mentioned wanting. Harry runs through the entire city of New York on New Year’s Eve and interrupts a fancy party just to tell Sally he wants to spend his life with her inWhen Harry Met Sally. Nick boarded a plane and dropped down to one knee in front of everyone with his mother’s emerald ring inCrazy Rich Asians. InHitch,he freakin’ jumps on top of a moving car at the end to spill his heart out to her.”

Trey nods. “I get it.” He whispers, more to himself than me, “Grand romantic gestures.”

“There are thousands of things like that. Something that makes a woman’s heart beat faster. Something that makes her feel seen, important, and cared for. In all honesty, Trey, what youdid at the bar is something you might read in a romance novel and not see as much in real life.”

“What do you mean?”

“You gotveryprotective of me. A lot of women would get off on that. Frankly, it was hot. I might write about it.”

He smirks with pride. “Really?” He mock straightens his shirt and holds his shoulders high. “I think I’m already learning to be a good book boyfriend just by being around you.”

I giggle. “Yes, you are.”

“By the way,Crazy Rich Asiansis one of the funniest movies I’ve seen in a long time.”

I smile. “Agree. Did you know that it was a rom-com book first?”

“No, I didn’t. That’s cool. Will your books be movies?”

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