Page 21 of My Book Boyfriend
He reaches out his hand and pats my shoulder awkwardly, then pulls his hand back as if burned.
Maybe I should go, just to see if I can get any further intelligence.
“I see. It’s not just business. I thought maybe we had a connection.” He clears his throat. “I’m sorry. I like the garden too. But this is critical for my career.”
A connection.
He feels it too.
Or says he does.
Crap. There’s no way I can date him. I’m too attracted to him. And I’d be forever parsing his words, hoping he meant what he was saying. And not just saying it to get me to drop the lawsuit.
Just draw the line, Lily. Rupert is the enemy. That’s his compartment.
But I don’t want to. That book club banter was fun. Our connection is like a magnetic, fizzy electricity that’s pulling me forward.
“Can I walk you home, at least?” he asks. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Chapter six
Rupert
Thisisaterribleidea. We’re enemies. And it’s not going to get better if wrecking balls destroy the garden.If.Rowena and I might be able to save the garden. Not that I can reveal that.
But that book club was fun, and I want to get to know Lily.
“I just thought bumper cars seemed appropriate. You can bump into me and get all your anger and frustration out about our dispute.” I am rambling.
She glares at me. If this were a cartoon, steam would be pouring out of her ears.
But then she smiles, and her whole face lights up. I’ve just been sucker punched. My breath catches. I stare at her.
“Okay,” she says. “But first, we’re walking Maddie, Iris, and Jing to the train station, and then Bella and I are walking home. We could also escort you to your apartment building since we’re two and you’re only one.”
“And we’ve all taken self-defense training,” Iris says as she joins us, wrapping a huge scarf around her neck.
“I feel safer already,” I say.
Lily laughs. It’s this lovely, no-holds-barred laugh—not some polite rejoinder.
Bella and Jing join us, waving goodbye to the red-haired woman at the counter. It feels festive, like a warm family. I can tell a lot about a person from the friends they have, and this group speaks well for Lily.
“Can you guys make our Lunar New Year celebration at my apartment on Sunday?” Jing asks. “I just sent out the email invite this afternoon. My parents really enjoyed meeting you all last year.”
“What can I bring?” Bella asks.
“Your mom’s dumplings are so good,” Maddie says. “I can’t wait.”
“She’ll be happy to hear that,” Jing says.
“Did someone crochet your neck warmer, Iris?” Lily asks.
Iris’s laughing, hazel eyes just barely peer out from above the rim. “Why? You don’t think it’s too small?”
“It could serve as an anklet for an elephant,” Lily says.
I chuckle.
