Page 107 of Role Play
He’s still wheezing when Forrest cuts in. “Don’t be an ass. She’s phenomenal. But the book industry is a lot like Hollywood. It’s luck, lottery, and all about who you know.”
“Doesn’t she have connections though? Forrest told us your dad is?—”
“J.P. Cooper, yes,” I confirm. “Wow, Forrest.” I flash him a look. “How many of my secrets have you shared with your little cohort, hm?”
“Just your nicknames, your deep insecurities as an author, your strained relationship with your dad, and all the wild monkey sex you two have,” Taio helpfully supplies.
I widen my eyes at Forrest. “So, just surface-level stuff, then.”
Forrest hangs his head in shame. “I’m sorry. I only shared our situation so they could help. They were supposed to behelping me plot book-themed dates”—he glares at Saylor, then Taio—“not opening their fucking mouths and swallowing their feet whole.”
“Sora, ignore his temper tantrum,” Taio says, taking another big swig of his lager. “Consider us your support crew. I don’t care if we have to strap your books around our chest and step out on Broadway, naked. We’re all here to help you. If Forrest has a mission, that means we do too.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet. You guys are good friends.” I nudge Forrest’s stiff shoulder. He’s still staring maniacally at Saylor.
“So what’s your next book about? The upcoming release—second part of the duet, right?”
I flash Forrest another look. “Jesus.Do they know my bra size as well?” He stays silent, avoiding my gaze. “It’s…” I hesitate, suddenly self-conscious. “It’s a second-chance romance about high school sweethearts who reconnect at their ten-year reunion. The first book was from her perspective. They broke up because of circumstances at the end of book one, and now book two is from his perspective and how he wins her back. I don’t think it’s going to do well. I thought it was clever—something out of the norm to write an entire romance book from the hero’s POV, but I’m convinced it’s going to be yet another flop.”
“Nah, that’s kind of cool. Good representation. I’ll read it. Every single page.” Taio nods approvingly. “Does it have the big grovel?”
“The what?” Forrest asks.
“The grovel,” Taio explains with the patience of a professor. “When the hero has to beg for forgiveness, usually in some grand, public gesture that proves he’s grown and changed.”
I stare at him, momentarily speechless. “You really do read romance.”
Taio shrugs. “I contain multitudes.”
“He’s also surprisingly good at braiding hair,” Saylor adds. “Does a mean French braid for Koda when he’s not being a complete tool.”
“Hidden depths,” I murmur, glancing at Forrest, who’s watching our exchange with an unreadable expression. “Always a good quality in a hero.”
After another round of drinks, I check my watch and realize how late it’s gotten. “I should probably get going. It’s been a long day.”
“I’ll grab the tab and call a ride,” Forrest says, his hand finding mine under the table.
“No, stay,” I insist. “I’ve already hijacked enough of your boys’ day. You deserve some time with your friends.”
“I’m sick of these fools. I’d rather be with you,” Forrest says playfully. Then with his voice low enough that only I can hear, “We have some unfinished business, yeah?” The heat in his gaze is palpable, memories of the shed still vivid in my mind.
“Is that so?” I lean closer.
“Absolutely.”
“Special plans?” I tease.
Forrest shoots me a wink. “Let me take you to dinner.”
“A dinner date isn’t particularly tropey,” I muse. “What would we be researching?”
“No, just dinner. No research tonight. Just me and you, breaking bread. Anywhere you want.”
The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard. This isn’t Forrest the escort, fulfilling a contract. This is just…Forrest. Asking me out. Like a normal guy.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive,” he says. “We practically live together, but we’ve never been on a proper date. I want to fix that.”
