Page 30 of My Book Boyfriend
“I’m sorry about your mom.”
“It’s okay. It was several years ago, and she was in pain for a while, so at least now I know she’s not suffering anymore. My work with the garden has been helpful. My mom liked gardening.”
Of course.Just twist that sword in my chest.
“I’m sure she’d be proud of what you’ve accomplished with it.” And I wish I could tell Lily we can save it.
“That’s what my dad always says when he comes to visit.”
“He moved away from New York?”
“Yes. He’s retired and spends his time traveling.”
“Do you join him sometimes?”
“Maybe someday. It’s complicated.”
“I know all about complicated family dynamics,” I say.
“It sounds like it—from what I’ve read in the paper.”
“You’ve read about me? I’ll take that as a hint of encouragement.”
“Please. Didn’t Sun Tzu say ‘Know your enemies’?”
“Is that why you’ve followed me into the elevator?” I ask.
“I didn’t—” She stops short. “You’re teasing me.”
“I am. You were so cute when you were blushing that night at the library.”
She blushes, and I lean closer. “Like now.”
She covers her face with her hands but then peeks through her fingers. “So if ourTalkTackvideos are causing trouble, do you think you’ll give up the garden?”
“Giving up is not a word in the Strive Developers’ vocabulary,” I say.
Voices sound from above.Screech.A crowbar appears between the doors as they’re wrenched open to reveal a brick wall and elevator cables, boots on the floor above. Now, knees appear in the space at the top. An older guy with a fireman’s helmet peers in at us.
That’s too bad they arrived so quickly.
“Everyone okay?”
“We’re fine,” Lily says. “We just had dinner.”
“I can lift you up,” I say. “Do you want to put your groceries in my basket?”
“Okay.” She piles her groceries on top of mine in my basket and then hands up her backpack. I pass up my backpack and the overflowing basket of our food to the outstretched hands in the opening at the top.
“Are you ready?” I ask.
“How will you get up?” she asks.
“Hopefully, I can pull myself up with some help,” I say. “All that gym work has to be good for something.”
She glances at my chest. “Definitely good.” She blushes and turns around to face the opening. I grip her around the waist and lift her up as she reaches for the floor of the opening. Two firemen grab her arms and assist her to safety.
Now me. The opening is higher up than I expected. I turn the shopping cart upside down and step on it, then get pulled to safety by the same two guys.
