Page 22 of My Book Boyfriend
“I know.” Iris sighs. “Patrick took up crocheting, briefly, and made this for me. He likes to stick it on me before I leave the apartment.”
“Patrick usually dresses pretty sharply,” Maddie says.
“Are you sure he’s not just marking you as his and scaring off anyone else who might be interested?” Bella asks. “That looks like it’s swallowing your whole head.”
“At least it does keep me warm.” Iris shrugs. “And he looked cute when he was crocheting it.”
Should I take up crochet? Would Lily wear something I made?
At first, we walk six in a row, but as soon as we have to pass someone, Bella, Jing, Maddie and Iris move up and leave me and Lily together. Not bad.
I didn’t think they’d be on my side.
Lily doesn’t look as happy as I am about it. Her turquoise-blue hat brings out the color of her eyes.
But now I’m not sure what to say.
There was real pain about losing the garden.
We need to meet on some neutral territory. We walk side by side, a foot between us. A foot of distance that I feel. I shorten my steps to match hers.
“That was a great discussion you led,” I say. “Is there a particular Wilhelmina Chrissy you recommend to patrons at the library?”
“The first,” she says. “Start at the beginning and read them all.”
“I agree. I noticed you didn’t put yourself on the matchmaking list at Banter & Books,” I say.
She tilts her head and looks at me. “Were you checking that out?”
“I got there early.”
“Did you add yourself?” she asks.
“No.” I smile at her. “I seem to have a very reliable matchmaker in Mr. Devi.”
She laughs. “I’ll tell him that.”
“Who are your other favorite authors?” I ask.
“For a librarian, that’s like asking who your favorite children are. I feel I have to be kind of open and can’t pick favorites,” she says. “It also depends on my mood. What books have you read recently and liked?”
“That’s a much better phrasing,” I say. “Although my favorite modern author is probably Fredrik Backman. And other favorites are Nick Hornby, Richard Osman and, of course, Wilhelmina Chrissy. And the classics like Hemingway and Fitzgerald.”
“Lot of male authors there.”
“Yes,” I say. “I’m happy to take suggestions.” I pull out my phone, ready to note them down.
She laughs softly.
Bella drops back. “I’m sure you can think of some suggestions, Lily. How aboutA Tree Grows in Brooklyn?”
“That poor tree—giving everything,” Maddie says.
They were listening in.
“There’sOur Life in Gardens,” Lily says.
“I likedGreen Thoughts: A Writer in the Garden,” Jing says. “We read that last year as part of the Oasis Book Club.”
