Page 32 of How to Write a Rom-Com

“She would probably deport him from town if he tried to skip out on this,” Jill adds in agreement.

“It’s true. She hasthatmuch power,” Nora adds, widening her eyes. We all laugh at her serious tone.

“Have you always lived in Hudson Hollow?” I ask her.

“I have, yes,” she says.

“And your husband as well?”

“No, actually,” she pauses to rub Cammy’s tummy, “he’s from downstate, a town called Croton-on-Hudson. We met in college.”

“How did you get him to move here?”

“That was easy. I was here,” she smirks. I chuckle at her cockiness.

“So, I guess you’ve never wanted to live anywhere else, then?” I ask, wondering if my questions sound too reporter-like. I want to get to know what makes people love Hudson Hollow. I think the heroine in Ruby’s book will be a true city girl, like me, so I want her to fall in love with the town and not just the hero. I’m finding that a little difficult when the closest Target is thirty minutes away.

“This is home,” Nora says with a shrug. “My family’s here and my parents are getting to that age where they don’t want to be anywhere but their own house,” she adds. “Plus, I’ve never been a city person, which I’m sure is hard for you to imagine. I’ve always found it a bit overwhelming. There are so many people on that island, it’s going to sink one day.”

“I’ve actually had that thought myself. But it’s become my comfort zone now,” I explain. I can imagine how jarring Manhattan would be to someone who is used to single-lane roads with two cars on them at any given time. I was shocked when I came to Hudson Hollow, so it must work the same in reverse.

“So, you see what I mean? This town is all I’ve ever known. I liked growing up here, and I want that for my kids too.” She bends down and places a kiss on Cammy’s forehead.

When the game is over, everyone huddles around the snack bar, where Liam is overwhelmed trying to get to everyone. Brett rescues him by joining him behind the grill. He ties a bandana around his head likeThe Karate Kidand claps his hands when people approach him. It’s quite entertaining.

Jill takes the twins for some food while I hang back with Nora. Her husband joins us, delivering a plate of food, and I’m suddenly jealous that I don’t have someone who does that for me. I need a man to deliver food without me asking. The closest thing I’ve ever had to that is the DoorDash delivery guy.

Once the line dies down, I mosey over to the food table and get a good glimpse of Liam flipping meat—a surprisingly sexy act.

Stop it, Bowen.

“Hey,” he says when he catches me ogling. “Can I get you something to eat?”

“Yeah, although I heard the chef at this place is just okay.” I bite my lip. He lets out a quiet laugh.

“Chicken, ribs, or pork sandwich?”

“Hm, not sure, I was expecting the regular burger or hot dog question.”

“And which of those would you prefer?”

“A burger. Why? Is that an option?”

“No. I just like knowing things about you,” he replies quickly. He doesn’t hide his flirty smile. He dips his head and leans over the bar with his arms stretched out. I’m beginning to think that’s his signature position. When I don’t answer right away, he moves on. “I was going for a southern barbeque theme. Everything has been smoked for about fifteen hours with a dry rub and then I top it off with my special sauce.”

“My experience binge-watchingDiners, Drive-Ins, and Divesshould really be paying off right now,” I joke and Liam laughs. “You don’t do anything the easy way, do you?”

“Not when it comes to food,” he says bluntly. “So, what will it be?”

“Pork, I think.”

“Good choice. Do you want mac and cheese or greens on the side?”

“Mac and cheese, of course. I don’t even know what kind of question that was.”

“My kind of girl,” Liam beams, dolloping a scoop of mac and cheese on my plate. “Enjoy,” he says, handing it to me.

“I’ll see you later,” I say, grabbing a soda from the cooler.

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