Page 9 of The Last Love Story
Justin Ayers: Do you secretly write thrillers?
Me: Ha. No. Just typing that felt weird. If it’s not squishy and romantic, I don’t want it.
Justin Ayers: Fair enough. *Dramatic sigh* I guess I’ll have to start another series to pass the time.
Me: … one of mine?
Justin Ayers: Because I’m a masochist… yes.
Me: At least all those are completed. They might break your heart, but they’ll also come back and patch up all the cracks.
Justin Ayers: That might be why I’m obsessed with your writing.
Ugh. I wish he wouldn’t say things like that. It makes it hard to let go of this crush. Or more like it’s hard for a new crush not to start. We’ve only had two conversations, but this time it’s not a nonsense feeling I’m getting from hearing his voice. The little uptick in my heartbeat is because I like his playful nature, openness about his emotions, and the kindness I feel in the subtext of it all.
It’s almost like… he’s one of my book boyfriends.
Oh my god. Did I write him and bring him to life? Oh, that would be such a good plot for a 2000s Disney Channel Movie.
Or a book.
I mentally add it to my never-ending ideas folder and tuck it away for later.
Me: All jokes aside, thanks for reading. I’m glad you’re enjoying my books… even if you’re clearly a sucker for heartache.
Justin Ayers: I’m in for the long haul now. Is it cool if I keep messaging you stuff about them?
Me: Absolutely. Fire away. If I’m in the middle of working, I usually put my phone in do not disturb mode, but I’ll happily respond when I’m done. Which is how tomorrow will probably go since I have every intention of finishing book eight.
Justin Ayers: Put your phone on do not disturb. Ignore me. Ignore everyone. Get your groceries delivered. I NEED to know what happens next.
Me: Thanks for that. Have a good flight.
Justin Ayers: Thanks. Time to get lost in some more of your torment. Have a good rest of the day.
With that, I set my phone down and look back at the TV, but my mind keeps wandering, planning out the specifics of the chapter I’ll be writing tomorrow.
This one will have a cliffhanger, it won’t be as big as book seven’s was. Plus, it’ll feature a different couple in the crossfire. Figuratively, not literally. I don’t write action books or thrillers. Only books that break you into pieces before putting you back together.
Pausing the TV, I pick up my phone again, put it in do not disturb mode, then record a voice note. I can record voice notes all day. They’re just my rambly thoughts about where I want a scene to go and occasionally a few lines of dialogue.
Dictation is much harder, as I have to both speak clearly andknow exactly what I want to say. Often, I find the exact words while I’m typing, and I struggle to do that with dictation.
After a couple of long voice notes, I flip to my calendar and look through my writing schedule. I’ll have to adjust things. But not book eight. I’ll finish this one and then see where things go. Maybe over the next couple of weeks I can get ahead on stuff for my subscription service, so I won’t be behind there. Only time will tell.
But enough of that. I’m supposed to be relaxing. My banana bread is gone, but I still have coffee left, so I hit play on the TV, then turn off do not disturb mode on my phone and scroll through my messages from Justin, which immediately bring a smile to my face.
Justin Ayers: Okay, I started the Legal Love series. And really? Just casually decimating my heart in the first two chapters?
Justin Ayers: I don’t know if I love you or hate you.
Justin Ayers: I’m already addicted to this book.
Justin Ayers: I’m not sure if I love or hate the male main character. He just shows up, like hey, surprise! And she’s supposed to just fall into his arms?
Justin Ayers: I rescind my previous statement. I’m on his team now. Someone get me a T-shirt.
Justin Ayers: Taking the “time left in the book” estimation as a personal challenge.
