Page 79 of My Book Boyfriend
The next one to arrive is Miranda, with her band. They set up in one corner. Then Mrs. Potter carries in a bowl of her famous dip, her tall, twenty-six-year-old son following, a few bags of tortilla chips in his arms. After they set down their gifts, Mrs. Potter introduces us. He’s getting a PhD in math at CUNY.
And suddenly, everyone shows up at once. Jade arrives with her band of teenagers, along with the moms who let go of the hands of their children so they can play tag among the bushes, and the retirees who grab the nearest chairs. Mr. Devi is next, proudly announcing that he set us up. He’s immediately swarmed by several of the older ladies.
Bella arrives. Lily hugs Bella as if she hasn’t seen her in weeks. To be fair, she has been staying over a lot at my place.
Bella hands me another book. “For your reading pleasure.” She smirks.
“You have to sign your books for me.” I walk over to my backpack and pull out a stack. I’ve bought every book on her backlist. “I’m three in. They’re excellent.” Bella blushes.
Lily beams at me like I’ve done the most wonderful thing ever. For a smile like that, I’ll stock Bella’s books in all of our buildings’ free libraries.
Miranda walks over at that moment. “I told you he looked like the type who bought all his books.” She shakes my hand. “You probably don’t remember me, but I’m the one who sent you over to the library. I’m taking some credit for getting you two together.”
“You and I actually met when we were teenagers,” I say. “I didn’t recognize you that night at Banter & Books, although I should have. Out of context, I guess.”
Lily hugs Miranda. “Good job. Is William coming?”
“Yes. It’s tax season, so he’ll be a bit late.” Miranda turns to me. “My boyfriend is an accountant.”
“Miranda is the one who made the posters,” Lily says.
“Those posters were works of art.” I point at the one we framed that currently hangs from the garden fence. “We’re going to keep one for the foyer of the building. They have a very Milton Avery feel.”
“Let me know if you want any more.” Miranda grins.
Next to arrive are Maddie and Jing. Maddie assures me she’s off-duty, but she might write a positive article about Strive Developers now.
“I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)” is the first song sung by Miranda as the band plays. I requested that one. The composition is different without the saxophone and trumpets, but it still packs a potent punch.
“My dance.” I pull Lily into my arms. She melts into my embrace—like she fits there perfectly, which she does.
“I love you,” she says.
“I love you more,” I say.
Around us, the teenagers are swing dancing. Those lessons filmed on the social media videos worked. Mr. Devi is swaying slowly with Mrs. Potter.
I whisper to Lily, “Could they be a couple?”
“No. I tried, but they’re good friends.”
“It’s a good foundation.” Lily and I didn’t start out as friends, but she’s becoming my best friend. Not that I want Rowena to feel displaced. I keep inviting her over, but she says she’s busy. And she’s not revealing if it’s the phantom date or if she doesn’t want to feel like a third wheel, hard as Lily and I try to make it like we’re all good friends hanging out. Mom and Dad say hello to both of us and then circulate around, meeting others.
The next song is faster, and we go over to grab some food and mingle with more of the guests.
At the buffet table, we join Maddie, who has piled her plate high with miso-glazed salmon and salad.
“Look.” Maddie shows Lily a note and opens her phone toYouTube. “My rock star neighbor wrote me a song. See? It’s dedicated to ‘my neighbor who always complains.’”
“You’re someone’s muse,” Jing says.
“That’s so sweet,” Bella says.
“Not really. At the end of the note, he said that instead of getting soundproofing, he used his saved funds to hire another music editor. But he hopes I’ll forgive him because he dedicated a song to me.” Maddie snorts. “He’s such a prima donna.”
“But the song is good,” Jing says. “The lyrics are funny. And he clearly thinks about you.”
“Oh, yes, the line about how he looks forward to incorporating my banging on the wall telling him to shut up into the rhythm of the song. Touching,” Maddie says.
