Page 50 of The Best Book Boyfriend
“Oh. Well then give me advice on how you… I don’t know, woo someone?”
“You can start by removing the phrase ‘woo someone’ from your vocabulary,” Rob says and I groan, already regretting asking for help. “I take it this is about book babe?”
“You know her name is Kara. And yes. I want to ask her out, and I have no idea how.”
“I’m really the worst person to ask mate. I just like their photos, or lean against a bar and wait for them to take the bait.”
I thump my head on the table a touch too hard, sit up and rub at the sore spot. “Right well that’s useless. Forget I asked. I’ve got stuff to be getting on with so I’ll catch you later.”
“Luke,” he says in a hurry, just as I’m about to hang up.
“Yeah?”
“I’m proud of you. Just be yourself.”
A few days later, I’m serving a young couple who are clearly on a first date, when an idea comes to me. A Matthew Braverman shaped idea. If that’s what Kara wants for her birthday, that’s what she should get. A fake date just like the one where Briony gets stood up and Matthew waits outside to make sure the guy isn’t a serial killer. Just when she’s about to leave he comes in and sits down opposite her.
She wasn’t wrong when she said it was an amazing scene.
I pull my phone from my pocket, create a new text group calledShhh!then add Hattie and Megan to it. Thank God Kara set up a Sunshine Book Club group chat or I’d have no idea how to get in touch with them. Before I can even type my reason for getting in touch with them I can see the little notification to tell me they’re typing.
Megan:What’s this?
Hattie:Why are you shushing us?
Luke:Quick question, do you have plans for Kara’s birthday next week?
Hattie:We do, why?
Luke:What are you doing?
Hattie:Girls night.
Luke:Same as every other week?
Megan:Yes, but with cake
Hattie:Why?
Luke:I was wondering if I could steal her away for the night?
Hattie:Why? Why? WHY?
Hattie:What do you have planned
Megan:We need details
Luke:It’s a surprise
Hattie:It’s a big birthday Luke, our BEST FRIEND only turns 30 once. If you’re asking us to sacrifice our BEST FRIEND’S 30th birthday you’re going to need to give us a lot more than “it’s a surprise”.
Luke:I want to do something special for her
Megan:DETAILS
Luke:I don’t want to say too much in case you give it away
Hattie:Luke! Luke Luke Luke, you can trust us
