“You like flowers?”

“Well, I suppose, but it was the thoughtfulness that struck a chord, not the flower per se. The fact that he considered me earlier in the day enough to buy me a flower was special. Women want to feel special. Book boyfriends think about their women before the date and do considerate things like that. It doesn’t have to be excessive or expensive. Just small gestures like that, letting her know she was on his mind. Asking me how I take my coffee so you can buy me a cup is a great example of that.”

“I understand. What are some other good book-boyfriend first-date gestures?”

“Hmm. Let me think about what a book boyfriend would do that most men don’t do in real life. Oh, I’ve got one. On a normal dinner date, you sit across from the person, right?”

“Yes.”

“In romance novels, the men always want to be as close to their woman as possible. They sit on the same side of the booth. It enables more physical intimacy.”

I wordlessly nod, absorbing what she’s saying when her phone rings. She pulls it out and looks at it. “Sorry. It’s my mother. Do you mind if I take it? She doesn’t usually call for no reason. She’s not a chit-chat person.”

“Go ahead.”

She answers on speaker. “Hi, Mom. I’m in a meeting. Is everything okay?”

Her mother answers. “It’s Saturday, Gemma. Why are you in a meeting? You work too much. You’ll never find yourself a husband if you work this hard.”

Gemma rolls her eyes. “Thank you for your unsolicited opinion. Is there something youneed?”

“Yes. Byron is having a poolside luncheon two weeks fromtoday, and I want you to come. His daughter is in town, and I’d like you to meet her.”

“A poolside luncheon? It’s nearly winter.”

“He has an indoor pool in addition to the outdoor one. The house is truly stunning. It was featured inArchitectural Digestlast year. You’ll love it.”

I see that her coffee is empty and feel like I should give her some privacy. I lean over and quietly ask, “Do you want a refill?”

Before she can answer, her mother asks, “Is that a man’s voice? Are you on a date?”

“No, he’s just a friend.”

Her phone pings that her mother is now changing the audio call to a video call. Gemma sighs as she answers. She gives a clearly fake smile. “Hello, Mother.”

“Turn the phone to your date.”

“He’s not my date. He’s a friend.”

She commands, “Turn the phone.”

Gemma turns the screen toward me. Her mom is an attractive woman. She has Gemma’s coloring, hair, and facial features but not her gorgeous green eyes. She must have gotten them from her father.

I smile. “Hello, Mrs. Fairchild.”

“Well hello to you too, mister tall, dark, and handsome. What’s your name?”

Gemma covers her eyes in mortification. It’s adorable.

“Trey.”

“Well, Trey, please join Gemma as her date for the gathering. I’d love to meet you.”

Gemma grabs the phone. “Trey is busy. He can’t come.”

I hear her mom’s voice. “Is that true, Trey?”

I mouth to Gemma. “It’s not a big deal.” So her mom can hear me, I answer, “I can move some things around. I’d love to come.”