Page 80 of Is This for Real?
He slips off his shoes by the door. His feet, in socks, are by the bed. Now his knees. Then his face.
He chuckles. “Is there something I should know? Was there an intruder?” His face is more relaxed than it has been the last few nights. The client must have liked the raw edit.
Using my elbows, I commando-crawl out from under the bed. “No, I’m writing a scene where she hides under a bed, and I thought I should experience it first so I can write about it. Looks like good news on your front.”
“Bernie loved it.” He has a huge smile. “So, we’re having our wrap dinner tonight. I came home to take a shower, change, and pick you up.”
“I’m going to need a shower, too. Dusty under there.”
He asks me if I want to go first. I want to write my impressions down while they’re fresh, so I say no.
He disappears into the bathroom. I jot down notes, but the sound of running water distracts me. And thoughts of Rory naked. Back to the bed. I mean under the bed. I mean hiding under the bed. I put my head in my hands.
The door opens. “Scene not going well?” He is in just a towel. It’s probably not revenge for the other day, but I can’t help admiring his muscular, well-defined chest. Butterflies start beating in my stomach. I feel out of breath. I raise my eyes to his face. He works out a lot. I should work out more.
“I’m definitely done for the day.” I take my shower and get dressed in a black cocktail dress and heels.
I’m excited for the celebration, but less excited to tangle with Myrtle again.
As I slip on my heels, he sits next to me on the bed. “Thanks again for coming and being so cool about my work schedule. How is your writing going?”
“It’s good.” I bump his shoulder with mine. “It’s been an amazing writing retreat—good talks with Julia, an excursion to confirm setting details, and it’s even included some of the best tropes.”
“What tropes did this one include?”
Laugh lines crinkle around his deep blue-green eyes. His intense glance makes my stomach quiver in anticipation.
I say, “Apparently ‘only one bed’ is a subtrope of fake dating. When I met with Julia and I told her I was writing the fake dating trope, she said, ‘You have to use the one bed. I love that trope.’ I didn’t even know it was a trope.”
“And what usually happens?”
I lean closer to him. I put my finger to my mouth and say “Shh.” I reach over and run my hand through his hair. I’ve been wanting to do that now for days. “She seduces him.”Did I just say that?
He smiles. He raises an eyebrow. “Well, I’m quite looking forward to that, then.” He sounds almost British.
My cheeks heat up. “So be forewarned. Mr. Pillow may need to sleep on the floor tonight.”Am I really going to try? Friday night?
“I thought I’d have to duel him first,” Rory says. His phone buzzes. The car is downstairs. On the way to the dinner, we discuss his work over the week, as I barely even got the highlights reel on those days before he collapsed into bed.
His face lights up when he talks. “It’s been amazing. I don’t know. I just feel like yes, this is what I’m supposed to be doing. The highs, the lows. I feel validated that I have chosen the right career. My parents give me a hard time, that it’s all commercial. And it is, but it’s also so much fun. It’s such a high. When I saw my idea come alive, and it worked. My boss even called me from New York to say it was good. And then Bernie and his team liked it.”
Rory puts his arm around me and pulls me closer to him. I relax against him. Maybe wecangive off a couple vibe.
By the time we get back to our hotel room, Rory looks exhausted. I don’t take out the blue negligee. Tomorrow is Friday, when I will tell him about my feelings for him, after we come home from ourCasablancaSecret Cinema night, thanks to one of my London friends who has gotten us tickets. Secret Cinema is an immersive theatre experience where you feel like you are in the movie, interacting with the characters and becoming part of the story by going on secret missions and uncovering hidden secrets. That sounds right on point.
Chapter twenty-nine
ItisFriday—thedayI turn in my manuscript and tell Rory about my feelings.
I spent yesterday polishing this draft. There’s just one issue. I call Esther.
After thanking her profusely, I ask, “What do you think about Rob?”
“I love him. If you know any guys like that, please send them my way. Why?”
“Well, he’s made up, obviously.” And he is. I even gave him divorced parents, which couldn’t be further from Rory’s familial life. “But I’m worried that people might think he’s based on one of my real male friends. And I wouldn’t want to be seen as baring his soul.”
“It’s not in his point of view. It’s always told through Piper’s point of view. But I don’t think there’s anything particularly soul-baring in there—not from his point of view, anyway. Piper, on the other hand, has quite a few revealing moments. I wouldn’t worry. Good luck! I love this book. I’m sure Vera will love it.”
