Page 40 of How to Write a Rom-Com

“Well, from where I’m standing, it seems like you’re a little close-minded,” he says.

“Close-minded?” I practically shout. He turns to look at me. I put my hand up to my ear like I’m making a phone call. “Hello, pot? This is the kettle. You’reblack.”

Liam looks down and chuckles. “I guess that’s fair. We both have a little bit of pride in where we come from.”

“So, why are you giving me such a hard time about it?” I ask.

“Maybe because I want to know more about you. Something tells me that you don’t love the city and your job as much as you say. When you talk about it, you’re almost like… reciting a speech.”

I stop in my tracks again. “Okay, if you keep stopping every time I say something, this is going to be a very long hike,” he says, waving his hands at me.

I stomp my foot and continue walking.

“I think you’re making assumptions about me that have no basis,” I say, my frustration starting to show. I don’t have to put up with this. I like Liam, I really do, but I don’t appreciate it when someone speaks to me like they know me better than I know myself. “I’ve worked very hard to get where I am.”

“I don’t doubt that for a second,” Liam interjects.

“It seems like you do. Things haven’t always been easy for me. School was hard, reading was hard, and now I have a career where I read books for a living,” I explain. “I’m proud of that. My parents worked really hard to provide me with opportunities they didn’t have.”

Liam looks at me for a moment and then smiles.

Dude fuckingsmilesat me.

“What are you smiling about?” I snap, putting my hands on my hips.

“That was a very impassioned speech,” he says. “And it’s great that you overcame obstacles to get where you are now. All I’m saying is, just because it was supposed to be your dream job, doesn’t mean it’s actually going to be.”

Liam’s words make me pause for a moment. I slow my pace, and it takes him a moment to realize I’ve broken my stride. He stops and looks back at me, expecting me to say something. But I’m so flustered, I’m not really sure what to say.

“What?” Liam asks, sliding his sunglasses onto his head.

“I don’t know. I guess… I never thought of it that way,” I reply, a confused look on my face.

“Lucy, it’s your life. It’s great that your parents support you, but the only person you have to answer to is yourself,” he says, taking a step closer to me. “If you don’t like something about your life, change it.”

I shake my head. How did we get into this discussion? “I—Thank you for the psychoanalysis on this nature trail, sir, but as I keep telling you, Idolove my job. I’m happy where I am. I don’t know what makes you think otherwise,” I say, picking up my pace again. “Let’s talk about something else.” Is he right? Of course, he’s right. What he is saying is completely logical, but it couldn’t possibly apply to me. Could it? No. I’ve worked too hard. And I really do love my job!

Don’t I?

“Made you think, though,” Liam says knowingly.

I grimace at him. “Stop looking at me. I clearly can’t hide anything on my face when you are around,” I say, shoving him out of my path. I take a moment to wipe the sweat from my forehead before continuing up the trail.

“What would you do, if money didn’t matter and you could quit your job tomorrow?” he asks, jogging to catch up with me.

“What wouldyoudo?” I say, turning his question on him.

“Exactly what I’m doing,” he says with a shrug. “Don’t dodge the question. Don’t think about it. Just answer with the first thing that pops in your head.”

Up ahead, the trees are starting to clear, and I can see a glimpse of water in the distance. I let out a slow breath. “I love my job. I know I might complain about it, and Manhattan sometimes...” Liam opens his mouth to speak but he decides against it. “I’m happy where I am. Really. Being an editor has always been my dream.”

“Dreams can change,” he says, matter-of-factly.

I put my hands on my hips, a bit annoyed at his continued line of questioning. “Mine hasn’t,” I reply, sternly.

“All I’m saying is that if a dream doesn’t work out, find a new one. Life is finite. Days are finite. Dreams aren’t.”

I sigh and walk past him, following Blue up the trail without another word. I don’t know what he’s getting at, but I know my dream. How long has Liam known me? A few weeks? I’ve known I wanted to work in books for years. Am I tired of being an assistant? Of course. But that is why I am here. If I write enough about this town, I will be on my way to acquiring books.

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