Page 144 of Role Play
“That day at Papa Beans, the only reason I didn’t ask for your number was because of the baggage of my job. I want to go back to the very moment I laid eyes on you and try again.”
“Like a do-over?” she asks, amusement lingering in her tone.
I let go of her hands and stand up. Then, with exaggerated formality, I extend my hand toward her.
“Hi,” I say, putting on my most charming smile. “I’m Forrest Hawkins. I noticed you from across the room, and I just had to introduce myself.”
Understanding dawns in her eyes. She straightens her posture and delicately places her hand in mine.
“Sora Cho-Cooper,” she replies, playing along. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hawkins.”
“Cho-Cooper?” I furrow my brow in mock concentration. “Do I know you from somewhere? Aren’t you a mega-famous bestselling author?”
She laughs, the sound warming me from the inside out. “I’m trying to manifest it.”
“I’m sure it’s not too far away. And you are stunning, by the way. Are you Asian by chance?” I ask, still holding her hand longer than strictly necessary for a handshake.
“My mother is Korean. And I should warn you right now, Forrest, I only date men who love spicy food.”
I smirk. “Ilovespicy food. It doesn’t feel like a bomb going off in my intestines at all.”
She chuckles. “Good to know.”
“So what are you working on these days?”
“A fantasy romance about a mermaid warrior princess and the dragon she falls in love with. It’s hot. Enemies to lovers. Rage sex and all that good stuff,” she says sarcastically.
“Sounds hot. Literally.”
She groans at my terrible pun, but her smile remains. “What about you, Forrest Hawkins? What do you do for work?”
I hesitate, suddenly aware that this game we’re playing has veered into real territory. “This is kind of embarrassing, but I used to be an escort. I actually quit tonight.”
The air falls silent between us. Our playful facade slips, reality reasserting itself.
Sora’s expression grows serious. “How are you going to make ends meet? What’s next? Why would you give up everything for?—”
“Whoa, whoa, lady,” I interrupt, trying to steer us back to lighter ground. “That’s a lot of invasive questions for a first meeting.” I wink at her. “But I like your moxie. How about we talk about something else? What do you do for fun when you’re not writing steamy dragon romance?”
She recognizes what I’m doing and plays along, though I can tell from the look in her eyes that we’ll be revisiting those questions later.
“I stress-bake,” she says.
“So you’re comfortable in the kitchen?” I ask skeptically.
“Oh, yes. A bona fide professional.”
I peer at her, trying to call out her obvious lies with one gaze. “Okay, Sora. What can you cook that’s not in the microwave?”
She narrows her eyes. “Just yesterday I made salmon croquettes with Creole aïoli.”
“First of all, that sounds delicious. Second of all, you really want to start our new relationship with justutterbullshit? I’ve seen you cook, woman. You ‘boiled’ spaghetti noodles in barely lukewarm water and were shocked they came out crunchy.”
“Oh my god,” she shrieks in frustration. “For the last time, they were rice noodles and they’re delicate! The water isn’t supposed to get too hot.” She groans in frustration as I chuckle at her huffiness.
“Tell the truth, Ms. Cho-Cooper.”
“Fine. My culinary skills are capped at microwaveable popcorn. I struggle with grilled cheese sandwiches. Happy?”
