Page 19 of My Book Boyfriend
“I thought it was the neighbor who wanted Herbert’s apartment to expand his own. Real estate in New York City makes people do crazy things,” Rupert says. “It becomes personal when it’s just a business decision.”
Rupert smiles benignly at me.
I grimace. Two can play at this. “What could be a more personal decision than where you live and the community you create there?”
“Touché,” Rupert says.
I feel like Rupert’s eyes have an appreciative glint, and it warms me up inside.
“I thought it was the older woman down the hall who hated his dog and was into gardening. She had the means since she knew about all those plants that killed people without any trace,” the other guy says. He was at my last book club.
“I did wonder about her and her plant expertise.” Rupert stares at me.
“You learn so much from gardening. Such a handy thing to know,” I say. Not that I’ve learned about any poisonous plants yet, but my repertoire can always expand. We should add some poison ivy in the garden if they’re going to tear it down. I meet Rupert’s glance and try to make a face like,Who, little innocent me?
Rupert’s eyes widen. Looks like I succeeded. I chuckle.
Bella coughs across from me.
“Was there any point when you knew for sure who killed Herbert?” I ask.
“No,” the guy who suspected the older gardener says.
“I was reading it too fast to try to figure it out.” Rupert smiles at me. “But that is one of the reasons I return to this author—she always surprises me, and I never know what she’s going to do next.”
“I'm always happy to discuss this author's books,” says the woman sitting next to Rupert. She smiles at him, leaning closer.
Be careful you don’t fall into his lap.
He seems oblivious to her overture and faces me. I turn back to my list of questions. He’s fair game for her.
“What did you think of how the mystery was solved?” I ask.
Everyone chimes in with their thoughts. This is one of the best book discussions I’ve led in a while.
“Why do you think it was titledHe Had No Idea?” asks one woman.
I stare at Rupert. “Because he hadno ideawhat he was up against.”
Rupert blinks and clears his throat.
“The new boyfriend, right?” says the woman. “He didn’t realize he was going to star as a prime suspect in a murder mystery.”
“And he didn’t realize how much Ashley was still in love with Herbert,” Iris says. “To be fair, Ashley didn’t realize it either until she saw Herbert again that first night when they had dinner at the apartment—before he was murdered. She’d built up so many protective defenses.”
There’s silence at the table as we all seem to take a moment to digest these last points.
“All right, any other things anyone wants to discuss? Any burning questions or points?” I ask.
One guy talks about his favorite things about Wilhelmina Chrissy, and then we call it a night.
The guy who was at my last book club turns to me. “I’m Matt. What are you reading next?” He slides his chair closer to mine.
He’s kind of cute. Bella had said he seemed interested after the last meeting, but I’d waved that off. But maybe she’s right and not just tired of watching me futilely pursue Aiden.
“I’m not sure.” I finishedA Devilish Dare—and yes, Bella was right that that book set really high standards. I look over at the bookshelves to see if any of the new releases pop out.
Matt moves his chair back, the legs scraping on the floor.
