Page 59 of Lovesick
Mama hadn’t had a lick of romance in her life, and neither had Dad. But Maverick and Bethany? Spades of it. Every day I saw it in their weird glances, their poor attempts at hiding their affection, the constant excuses they invented to touch each other.
Romance for the win.
Maybe JJ would see that.
My attention landed on a stack of at least ten books tucked near the massive fridge. The spines were pointed toward me, and I skimmed the titles. Every single one was a romance. And I’d read all of them.
“Medieval is interesting,” he said conversationally, as if the awkward moment hadn’t happened. “Did romance exist back then?”
“Was there a God in the Middle Ages?” I quipped right back, unable to help myself.
Kelly’s brow furrowed. “Does God have something to do with romance?”
JJ grinned so wide, and with such real delight, I almost couldn’t be upset. “I don’t think God would like being compared to romance,” he said. “And yes, God definitely existed in the belief structure of the Middle Ages.”
“To some it’s the highest compliment,” I said imperiously. Then I turned to Kelly. “He’s teasing me, that’s all. I’m the one who suggested he try reading romance.”
“It’s not teasing,” he countered. “It’s a debate on the benefits of romance. She made a few arguments I hadn’t heard before. I countered. It’s ... an ongoing discussion.”
“You’re not trying to talk me out of it?” I asked.
“That’s not my intent.”
“Then what is?”
He spread his hands. “Discussion. If romance serves you, great. I’m happy for you. I’m just fascinated by your belief in it.”
Kelly’s eyes widened. She glanced between us and chewed slowly, nodding. Her eyes moved like a machine—I wished I knew what she was thinking.
“So, what is romantic about the medieval time period?” JJ asked. He pulled a muscular leg up and rested his arm on it. “They never married for love. They married out of necessity back then.”
“Neveris a strong word,” I countered. “Can you prove that?”
He opened his mouth, then closed it. “I can prove that they married for practical reasons.”
“Can you prove there was no romance or love between them?”
“Ah ... no.”
Smug, I folded my arms across my chest.
But he leaned forward, not ready to concede. “Can you prove it did exist as you understand it today?”
I scowled. He laughed. Kelly watched.
“You never answered my question,” he pointed out. “How can the Middle Ages be romantic? That time period was notoriously dark and brutal. I imagine most people spent their time eking out a life and trying to get enough to eat.”
Like a dog with a bone, he’d never let this go. Better to just get it out and over with. Then I could just appreciate the delicious picture of him reading one of my favorite romances. My curious, traitorous mindbeggedme to ask him for a real summary of them.
I drew in a deep breath and said, “It’s the dresses and the castles, thank you very much.”
If possible, his expression grew more amused.
“What?”
“Castles! It’s fun to read about a girl living in a stone castle and wearing ... fun dresses we don’t wear anymore. Plus, everything was more dangerous then.” I paused, then mumbled, “Women needed to be saved.”
Kelly, my modern saving grace, nodded. “I second that.” She raised a hand. “It’s fun to imagine the dresses and castles.”
