Page 16 of How to Write a Rom-Com

I find myself strangely interested in Liam’s dating history. But if I ask more about it now, when I’ve known him for less than a day, it would come across as super creepy and I’ve already done enough damage in the few conversations we’ve had. But I’m wondering if he’s the perfect inspiration for my small-town hero. If so, I need to know more about him. At least, that’s the reason I’m sticking with for my sudden fascination with him…

“Do you remember the name of it?” I ask.

“Umm,” he says, groaning. “Something on Serenity Something?”

“Summer on Serenity Lake. That’s so funny, that’s one of our books! I think they ended up filming it in Canada.”

Affirmative grunt. His gaze returns to the glass he is drying with the dish towel he removed from his shoulder. I watch as his fingers make circles with the rag, becoming mesmerized by the movements of his hands.

“Miller!” I hear a deep voice call from the back of the restaurant. I turn to find a tall man around my age wander in with a large cardboard box in his hands. “Where do you want this?”

Liam shifts his gaze and instantly his face softens.

“Hey, man, thanks,” he says, “kitchen, please.”

“You got it,” he beams, brushing past us. He’s a bit shorter than Liam, with a close buzz cut and arms that belong to a bodybuilder. Where Liam’s looks scream small-town homeboy, this guy has the look of the city about him. When he remerges, box free, he flashes me a supersized grin.

“Well hello there,” he says to me, sliding into the seat next to me. “Who do we have here?” he asks Liam.

“Brett, this is Lucy. Lucy, this is Brett. He hangs around the restaurant scavenging for food. Harder to get rid of than a fungus,” Liam teases.

“Also known as Liam’s best friend since middle school, put ‘er there.” Brett smiles, extending his hand to me. I admire his hard jawline which is dappled with faint stubble.

“Nice to meet you,” I say, trying not to wince from the sheer strength of his firm grip around my hand.

“Lucy is renting Al and Mella’s place for a few weeks,” Liam explains.

“Oh right,” Brett says. “You’re the new girl Liam mentioned.” There’s an awkward pause between us while Brett nods enthusiastically. “Well, I’m off,” he says at last. “We still fishing on Sunday?” he asks Liam. Liam nods.

“Indeed, and thanks for the delivery, appreciate it.”

“Happy to put my muscles to good use,” Brett says, winking at me. “Nice to meet you, Lucy.” I watch him walk out before turning my attention back to Liam.

I try not to overthink the fact that this town has so many good-looking men.This is not a romance novel. This is not a romance novel.Some things can just be a coincidence.Right?

“So how come you’re renting up here for so long? Saved-up vacation days or something?” he asks.

“Yeah,” I say, pausing to think of my next words. A first for me. “I needed a break from it all. I—I just got out of a really bad relationship.” Solid lie, Lucy.

“Oh, well, er, I’m sorry to hear that,” he says, suddenly flustered.

“Yeah, that… Mike… Vikrim,” I start.

“Vikrim?” He narrows his eyes at me.

Shit, maybe he’s one of those one-in-a-million guys who actually likesFriends.

“—inski. Vikriminski. He was from Sweden. Just up and left.”

Good God, I am the worst liar in the history of the world.

Liam presses his lips together as if to stop himself from laughing.

“Well, that Mike Vikrim–inskimust have been an idiot,” he says in a placating voice.

I smile at the compliment, completely unsure of its nature. “Thanks,” I mumble.

“And why Hudson Hollow?” Liam asks.

---