Page 60 of My Book Boyfriend
“A few, but my main one is this Upper West Side development. That’s the one Grandpa set as the test for CEO. Not to be a downer.”
“I appreciate you being honest about it.”
Up ahead, an electric sign with the wordsLIVE BANDSglows.
“Is that it?”
“Yes.”
The front of the bar has floor-to-ceiling doors that look like they are open when it’s warm. Today, the entrance is at the side door. I open the door and gesture for Lily to walk on in. ABBA is playing in the background, under the happy hum of conversation punctuated by the clink of glasses. This bar is narrow and opens up toward the back into a dance floor in front of the stage.
A long bar with barstools lines one side. On the other side are worn, dark, wooden tables with chairs. A beer bottle with a melted candle and a plastic placard with various ale choices are on each table. Signed band posters line the walls. The one nearest me says “Thanks for taking a chance on me.”
“Hey, Lily.” A hostess comes up to greet us. “Table for two?”
“Thanks, Jen,” Lily says and takes my hand as we follow the hostess to a table in the back by the stage. We sit down at a table and study the menu.
“I recommend the fish and chips,” Lily says.
The waitress comes to our table and pours us each a glass of water. “Can I take your order, or do you need some more time to think about it?”
I order fish and chips, as does Lily. We each order a beer.
“You know everyone at Banter & Books, and you know everyone here too?” I ask.
“That’s because I frequent these places the most. My friend Miranda is in a band and she plays here. And then Iris’s boyfriend’s band also plays here. That’s how they met.”
“It seems like you form a community wherever you go.”
She tilts her head. “Maybe.”
The waitress brings us our beers.
“I have my favorite coffee place, but I’m not on a first-name basis with anyone there.”
“Different worlds,” she says. “I’m not usually appearing onPage Sixafter a night out.”
I’d forgotten about that. “Oh, shit. I’m still sorry about that.”
“At least they didn’t get a photo of my face.”
Anastasia was upset whenPage Sixonly had her in profile instead of showing her full face. And she thought that the picture was too small. She wanted our relationship blared from the rooftops. And the YouTuber approached thePage Sixreporter to suggest we pose for a photo for her.
“I told the reporter you were a private person.”
“The reporter asked about me?” Her eyes widen.
I wince. “She was teasing me about not being single anymore.”
She shakes her head. “Wow.”
“I don’t think I’ll be of much interest if I’m in a serious relationship,” I say. “It’s only because I’ve been single for a while.”
“When was your last relationship?”
“A year ago. When was yours?”
“I’ve dated a fair amount, but I haven’t had a relationship since college. I was working, my mom died, and I was not in a place to be dating. And the community garden is like a second job, with all the programming we arrange and seeking grants. And then, as you know, I met Aiden a year ago when he moved in across the hallway, and I thought we had something.” Her eyes dim. “I really read that wrong.”
