Page 31 of My Book Boyfriend
Two young firemen are assiduously asking Lily if she’s okay. And she’s exchanging names. They agree to be interviewed by Bella. I huff.
I pick up our basket of combined groceries to interrupt this cozy conversation. “Do you want to use the basket, and I’ll take my groceries out?” I ask.
A store manager then apologizes to us, giving us our groceries for free as compensation. We thank the firemen. A cashier bags up our food, and we walk out.
Outside, the lights of Broadway are bright. The air tonight is warmer, at least in contrast to the recent arctic breezes. We’re in the New York spring-of-deception phase, when a few days of warmer weather make New Yorkers believe winter is over. But this balmy breeze does give me hope.
“Do you want to go out for dinner?” I ask. “Or dessert? We didn’t get to eat the cookies.”
Lily stops and turns to face me. “Wecannotbefriends.”
“I don’t know. I like you.”
She stares at me. “Probably just because I’m not falling all over myself to charm you.”
“That does make it more interesting,” I say.
She shakes her head.
“But I think you should take me up on dinner for the goal of getting to know me better,” I say.
“I think I’m getting to know you pretty well.”
“Nobody’s ever called me an open book before. Are you sure?” But then, I’m being so honest with her. I should hold back.
She shakes her head. “Yes, I’m sure. Goodbye!” She practically dashes away.
I’m going to take that as a good sign. She’d want to eat dinner if she didn’t feel anything for me. She wouldn’t run away if she wasn’t feeling confused.
I watch her. She’s right that we can’t be friends. And I don’t want to be friends.
Chapter ten
Lily
TheNewYorkPublicLibrary is all dressed up for the gala, the three arched, stone entrances bathed in a warm, golden light, with red-and-white flags streaming in the night air. The lions, Patience and Fortitude, are even wearing crimson bows. I lift up my green, velvet skirt like a princess in a fairy tale and climb up the stone steps with Aiden. His eyes had widened in appreciation when I’d opened the door in my strapless gown.
I grin, feeling all bubbly, even though I’ve yet to have a glass of champagne. Maybe tonight is the night I’ll finally move from friend to girlfriend. A gift of red tulips had to mean something—especially when Aiden was usually so carefulnotto cross that line.
Forget those pesky, traitorous thoughts about Mr. Rupert Evans. He is not for me.
I don’t know. I like you.
That’s been playing like a soundtrack in my head ever since our GreenGrocer escapade. The meal in the elevator felt like both a first date and a rendezvous with an old friend. A year of pursuing Aiden and no clarity, and this guy straight up says he likes me. Right after I’ve told him we can’t be friends.
We’re not friends.
You don’t want to be friends.
Stop.
Rupert and I are enemies.
This is my chance to date Aiden.
A shrill sound cuts through the buzzing chatter. Aiden’s phone. He takes the call, excusing himself. Aiden, phone to his ear, forges forward, fully immersed in conversation with whoever is on the other end. I trail behind. The couple ahead of us holds hands, their heads close together as they walk through the door on the right.
I enter Astor Hall as Aiden waits by the entrance, still on the phone. I hand over our ticket for two guests to the woman at the reception table. She checks off our names, and I turn to Aiden. His brow furrows—that adorable look he gets when he’s concentrating—as he waves at me to precede him.Is it a work call? Is he going to have to cancel?
