Page 15 of The Best Book Boyfriend
“Ahhh, you’re getting it! The hero’s journey, the redemption arc, the growth. See, I told you these books are about so much more than just shagging.”
“The shagging bits were good, though.” Do I spy a little blush creeping up his neckline? Get used to it pal, there’s simply no way to talk about romantic fiction without addressing the saucy bits.
“Meh.” I shrug my shoulders and screw up my face a little. “The shagging was three stars at best. You’ve so much more to look forward to.”
“Wow,” he says, leaning in close and lowering his voice. “What gets five stars?”
A woozy feeling fizzes up inside me. I can’t believe he’s asked me what counts as five star shagging as casually as if he was asking for a restaurant recommendation.
“Um, I’m not sure I know you well enough to get into it,” I laugh.
“OK,” he shrugs. “We’ll put a pin in that for later. Don’t think I’ll forget.” He’s smiling. I’m smiling. We’re two people sitting across from each other talking about shagging in books like it’s the weather and we Can’t. Stop. Smiling.
“So, is it safe to say you’re a convert to Romance Land?”
“Well, nobody likes to lose a challenge, but I have to say I’ve really enjoyed spending my evenings reading, being in someone else’s world for a bit. It’s been a welcome break from the daily grind. AndRoomies? Is it weird that I was desperate to finish it and never wanted it to end?”
“No,” I laugh, “I feel that all the time. That one’s been picked up for a movie.”
“I’m not surprised. I could really picture it in my head. So what else have you got for me?”
I take out a notecard from the back of my book journal and jot down a few more titles for him. “I’m impressed by how quickly you read. These should keep you going a while longer.”
Luke takes the note and pushes it into his back pocket. The sun bathes the courtyard and time passes easily while we chat about books we’ve both read, what we loved to read as kids, and both agree how lovely and special our local bookshop is. Conversation is easy, and I’m swept along by the energy of it.
“How did you get into reading romance?” Luke asks.
“I used to read much more widely, and still like to, but...” Oh crap, am I really going to tell him what a shitty year I’ve had? Maybe some other time. “Um. This past year I just wanted to read books that were fun. You know you’re going to get a happy ever after. You know that no matter what shit the characters have been through, no matter how many miscommunications, or how many faults a Book Boyfriend has, he’ll always end up being the perfect guy for the leading lady. I guess I enjoy knowing things will be OK.”
“Now don’t take this the wrong way,” he drums his lips with his fingers, leaning all the way back in his chair. It tips a little and I remember how Adam used to do that in school and get told off by the teachers.Fucking Adam. Stop being in my brain.“Does it get boring always knowing how the book will end?”
“Not at all. There are a million ways to have a happy ending. Every couple is different. I’m not really in a place in my life where I want drama and horror. Are you?”
He laughs weakly. “No, I suppose not.” I wonder what’s behind that.
“It’s just a shame books aren’t real life,” I sigh.
“You haven’t met someone perfect for you?” Luke asks, crossing his arms over his chest.Oh, here we go.It’s much easier to talk about fictional love lives than my actual one. In romance novels, it’s customary for the main characters to keep something back. A secret. A truth. A fact about themselves revealed at the most opportune moment for maximum impact.
My identity has been so wrapped up in Adam for so long, and I’ve been so adrift without him. I suppose now is as good a time as any to tell Luke the truth.
“I thought I had, but we split up last year. Or rather, he left me. For his assistant. I’m a massive cliche.”
“Wow, I’m so sorry. It really sucks when you don’t want it to end.”
“Yeah. I had no warning,” I say, probably over sharing. “He took all of his stuff, and I’ve not heard from him since. He wouldn’t answer my calls. Left me paying for everything.”
“Jesus, what a dick.”
You’re telling me. Adjusting to paying all of our bills was a huge shock. Megan went into super organisation mode and made me transfer as much as I could into my name and my bank account. She was worried he’d try to take money from me, but I knew he’d never do anything like that. Then again, I also never thought he’d cheat on me and leave for someone else, so what do I know?
“Yeah, I guess. The mortgage is still in both of our names. I don’t know how long I should leave it until I try to, I don’t know, sue him or something? He still gets post at the house. I don’t know where he is though, so I have to send it to his mum. He doesn’t take my calls. My head’s been a mess about it, to be honest. I have to not think about it or I get really sad and angry.”
“I’m so sorry, Kara.”
“I’ve spent a long time hoping he’ll come back. I’m a mug, really.” It hurts to talk about it, so I change the subject. “Are you… seeing anyone?”
His whole body tenses when I ask. I begin to wish I hadn’t, but he asked me, so it only seems fair to ask back.
