Page 53 of Unrivaled Love
We don't exchange any words as she settles into the corner of the outdoor sofa. I find myself distracted from the words on the page as I watch her reading over the top of my book.
"No way," she mutters under her breath.
"What?" I ask, curious to know where she's at in the story.
She lowers the book to her lap and shakes her head in disbelief. "Flora just avoided getting poisoned by the Serpent Queen!"
"Oh yeah, that was a close call."
"Do you still hate snakes?" She asks as she keeps her eyes on the page.
"They're the devil's creatures." I tell her with a shudder. Snakes are the literal worst thing I can imagine.
"Huh." Jo says and it feels like there's more to uncover there but she keeps going so I don't get a chance to dig deeper. "I'm surprised you've read these books where a Serpent Queen is a major character. She's been in every book and that snake pit scene in book two even creeped me out."
"Yeah, I was barely able to get through that." And then I remind myself I'm trying to get her to be honest with me so I pave the way. "Actually, I skipped over those scenes and always read slowly when the Serpent Queen is on the page."
She laughs and I light up inside. The sound is melodic. My chest fills with pride because I put that joy on her face. This is the feeling I want to chase. This is my purpose.
"I love that," she says at the end of her chuckle and I just nod to myself.
Atta boy Bryson.
***
The sun has set and it's getting too dark to read. I closed my book a while ago and have been watching Jo get completely lost in this story. She brings the book up to her nose, no doubt to try reading in the dark, and instead of poking fun at her I start to look around for a spot with more light.
There really aren't any, the moon isn't high enough in the sky yet. But after the slide of her page turn, she reads for another thirty seconds and then closes the book.
"How far did you get?" I ask.
"She and Sigrun just got to the hut."
"Oh, nice." I want to tell her they hook up and then have to save each other when a mudslide threatens to wash the hut away but, I don't.
"So, why are you readingRaven Squall?" She asks me.
"Because it's good." I state simply.
"Well, yeah, but not a lot of men read stuff like that."
"No, but I'd argue they're missing out. I don't usually read romantasy during the season, it's too much to remember with all the worlds and magic systems."
"Do you read other stuff during the season?" She asks as she shifts in her seat a little and sets the book to the side.
"Yeah, I uh, read romcoms usually."
"Really?" She asks with a little laugh.
“Yes really.” Suddenly feeling indignant. “They're entertaining and low stakes and help me reduce my stress levels.”
"What's your favorite?"
"I couldn't possibly pick a favorite."
"Fine then, who is your favorite author?"
I think back through some of my favorite titles from the last year. When we have long stretches of away games I can read a few books in that week but the ones that have stuck with me are all by the same author. "Bryn K. Lee." I tell her and she looks surprised.
