Page 1 of Save the Drama for your Mama
ChapterOne
MELODY
I never thought I had “a type” until I saw the man in the bookshop window with a novel in his hand.
There was an undeniable allure about him—tall, slim, and carrying himself with subtle confidence. His black jeans, casual button-down, and disheveled hair created a stylish harmony, while his contemplative, dark eyes held a mysterious charm. Delicious broody hero, found in practically all the romance books I read? Yeah, I definitely have a type.
Okay, you’ve got my attention, mister.
Filled with the sudden curiosity to study this specimen of seemingly well-balanced testosterone, savvy bibliophilic sensibilities, and impeccable jawline structure, I stepped inside Bay Books on Coronado Island and approached the front register to first say hello to my best friend.
Abigail handed the bag of books to a customer, along with a receipt and a smile. “Good to see you again.”
After the woman left, I stepped closer and drummed my fingers on the counter, attempting a nonchalance I did not feel. “Hey, Abs! What’s going on? How are book sales?” I glanced back at the man near the window, but one of the book displays obstructed my view. I scooted to my right to get a better look at him, then turned back around to Abigail.
“How are book sales?” She squished her eyebrows together, analyzing me. “You’ve never once asked me that since I’ve known you. You’re up to something. Spill.”
“I havenoidea what you’re talking about,” I said, trying to keep myself from laughing since she knew me so well. “I was walking by and thought I would pop in to say hello to my best friend.”
“Uh-huh . . .” Abigail reached over and organized the stack of handouts that promoted an author's book signing coming up on the weekend. “Just like you said hello to me in a text message ten minutes ago?”
“What can I say? I’m so full of love today.”
“Yeah—you’re full of something,” she said, laughing. “Now, tell me what’s really going on.”
I kept my voice low. “Okay—I saw a very attractive man browsing a book over there by the window and came in to investigate.”
Abigail glanced over my shoulder. “The one with the quizzical brow?”
“Bingo. He seems quite yummy.”
She nodded. “I wouldn’t complain if he invited me to double-mount his horse. He’s got some serious Ross Poldark vibes going on.”
“That,he does.”
“And, you’ll be happy to know, I’ve got some inside information on him.”
I held up my hand. “Thank you, but you’re always helping me, and I need to meet a man on my own.”
“But—”
“Nope. I’ve got this.”
I took off before she continued and covertly settled myself in behind the display of self-help books. I had a bird’s eye view as he continued to flip through the pages of the book.
What is he reading?
When I saw the title, I gasped. The man was reading a romance novel. And not just any, but the holy grail of romances!
Pride and Prejudice.
A gorgeous man, reading a book—aromanticone at that?
And with no ring on his finger?
Be still my beating heart!
I’d heard that these elusive creatures existed, but I had never spotted one in the wild until today. Like Bigfoot, but shorter, and with much more manageable hair. Would it be wrong to take a picture? It needed to be documented for science and future generations. Maybe there was still hope regarding the evolution of the species.
