Page 25 of Catastrophe Magnet

ARLO: It wasn’t porn. Written or recorded. Porn is plotless. This was a mastery of world-building and fully developed characters… who liked to fuck.

EMORY: I cannot wait to tell your father. He’s going to die when he finds out you’re reading romance novels.

ARLO: I’m pretty sure he’s unshockable these days. But go for it. Let me know how it goes.

We text backand forth for a little while, and she gives me a few recommendations, including her husband, Bash’s, newest release. I’m not sure how I’d feel reading a sex scene written by someone I personally know, especially someone so close to me they’re considered family.Yeah, I think I’ll pass on that one.

I’m about to toss my phone back on the coffee table when it dings again. My heart thuds harder when my eyes land on Kida’s name.

KIDA: Sorry for the long wait. I was eating a cheesecake and thinking.

ARLO: A whole cheesecake? What’s your favorite flavor?

KIDA: Sadly, no. I only had a quarter left. It was chocolate. Like your eyes.

I laugh.Like my eyes? Is she making a joke or complimenting me?

ARLO: Thank you. I think…

ARLO: I also like cheesecake.

ARLO: Is chocolate your favorite?

KIDA: I’m glad you like cheesecake. I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t. I love anything chocolate. What’s your favorite? Don’t say vanilla… boring!

ARLO: Vanilla may be boring, but it’s a classic and you can’t deny that. Alas, it’s not at the top of my list. I’m more of a lemon/lime kinda guy.

KIDA: Oh, nice choice. Agreed, Vanilla is a staple for any true cheesecake aficionado; however, it doesn’t belong in anyone’s first place.

She isreallyinto cheesecake.

ARLO: Okay, so what else do you like besides cake?

KIDA: Doughnuts. Pink ones specifically. And popcorn. You’d be surprised how well they go together.

I laugh again. I’ve never met a chick who talks about food this much. She’s definitely passionate about it.

ARLO: I can’t say I’ve ever had them at the same time. I’ll have to try it. I do like a good sweet and savory mix when it’s done right.

KIDA: For sure! I don’t understand those people who dip their fries into ice cream though (vomit emoji).

ARLO: Fair enough. We all have our limits. What about non-food-related likes? Have many of those?

She goes radio silent for a few minutes, and I chew my thumbnail as I reread my last text. I hope she doesn’t think I was being a dick to her. When the reply bubbles fail to appear, I shoot her another text.

ARLO: Or maybe you like doing stuff while eating the delicious food? Like watching movies or reading the alien smut from the coffee shop?

KIDA: I prefer the MM cowboy books.

My brows furrow.

ARLO: What’s MM?

KIDA: Seriously? Do you even read? Let me guess… sizzling high tension suspense.

ARLO: I’m new to it. I’ve got more time on my hands nowadays, so I picked up a few books at Perky’s.

KIDA: Perky only sells romance…

---