Page 119 of Guys Can't Write Romance
He gave a half-hearted chuckle. “Indefinitely came sooner than it was supposed to.”
She shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. “I just wanted to say thanks for coming over last night, even if it means another hour on the treadmill to burn off the calories. It really meant a lot.”
“Good. Glad I could help,” he said, his eyes finally meeting hers for the first time since coming in. He quickly looked away.
“Alright, everyone,” Mags said, clapping her hands together as she took her usual seat at the head of the table. “We have exactly one week until the Heartstrings Press Contest deadline. I hope you’re ready to crap out brilliance, or at least something mildly amusing.”
“Crap out brilliance?” Phil repeated, raising an eyebrow. “That’s inspiring.”
“Stare at your blank page longer, Phil,” Mags quipped, winking. “Maybe genius will land on it like a seagull with bad aim.”
The group chuckled, and Daisy turned to Chad to share in the laughter, giving him a light nudge with her elbow. “Are you ready to ‘crap out brilliance,’ partner?” she teased.
Normally, Chad would have met her playful jab with something sarcastic or cheeky, a quip about how his ‘brilliance’ involved a subplot about radioactive werewolves or something equally ridiculous. But this time, his response was somehow off.
“Uh, yeah,” he said with a nervous laugh, shifting in his seat and pretending to focus on his own stack of poorly stapled notes. “Hopefully more brilliance, and less crap.”
Daisy frowned slightly, her elbow still hovering where it had nudged him. “Okay,” she said teasingly, tilting her head. “Who are you, and what have you done with Chad McKenzie? Because he definitely doesn’t shy away from a writing jab.”
Chad chuckled under his breath but said nothing, busying himself by doodling in the margin of his notebook, lines that definitely weren’t actual notes.
The group conversation flowed around them, but Daisy absently kept glancing Chad’s way. He wasn’t outright cold, but something about his energy felt different. Guarded.
“Wow, you two really must be collaborating like crazy these days,” Bernie said, interrupting her thoughts as he sipped his tea. He gestured between Daisy and Chad with a knowing look. “Haven’t heard you bicker once. It’s like watching a buddy cop movie with no banter.”
Daisy smiled faintly, nudging Chad again in an attempt to lighten the mood. “Be careful what you wish for, Bernie. You know how we are once we get started.”
But Chad only laughed nervously again, still shifting in his seat like the chair had suddenly sprouted thorns.
Mags clapped her hands again. “Daisy,” she said, bringing the group back to order. “Why don’t we begin by sharing your pages.”
Daisy passed around her latest chapters. As the group read silently, she found herself sneaking glances at Chad. His brow was furrowed in concentration as he read, but there was something else there too, a heaviness that seemed out of character. She couldn’t help but remember how relaxed and open he’d been during their surfing lesson, and how cute and comforting he’d been last night when he gave her the rubber ducky. This Chad felt somehow walled off.
After everyone finished reading, Helen was the first to speak. “Daisy, dear, this is a remarkable transformation. Rick has actually become interesting! Color me surprised.”
“Thanks. I think?” Daisy said at the backhanded compliment.
“I was just going to say that,” Bernie chimed in. “He’s still successful and reliable, but now I actually care about why he’s doing what he’s doing. The scene where his dad gives him his World Series ring is quite moving.”
“And he has hobbies now,” Liv added enthusiastically. “Surfing and coaching little league. I found it quite charming how he interacts with the children on his team.”
“He’s also funny,” Ruth pointed out.
Daisy beamed at the feedback, her gaze automatically seeking Chad’s. In the past, he’d have been the first to make some quip about being a good influence, or feigning shock that she’d finally written a male character with a pulse.
“It’s really good, Daisy,” he said, his eyes meeting hers briefly before looking away. “I think you nailed it.”
“Thanks,” Daisy said, her heart warming at the praise, but she couldn’t understand why he kept breaking eye contact. “I took your advice about showing his vulnerabilities.”
“Well, it worked,” Phil said. “He’s someone I’d actually want to have a beer with now. High praise indeed.”
Mags nodded in agreement. “You’ve found the perfect balance, Daisy. He’s still the stable, thoughtful man you envisioned, but now with layers that make readers invest in his journey.” She turned to Chad. “Your turn, Chad. Let’s see if you’ve managed to keep the slime monsters at bay.”
Chad handed out his pages with none of his usual dramatic flourish.
“No coffee stains,” Daisy said, flipping the pages over to examine both sides. “I’m impressed.”
“I think Bernie’s got the copy I used for a coaster,” he said with a trace of his old humor.
