Page 25 of My Book Boyfriend
“If you can stand to hear more rock music, don’t forget to put Patrick’s next gig on your calendar,” Iris says. “It’s at my family’s bar.”
“I asked around the press room for architects we call when we need a consult for an article, and so I talked to a few of them,” Maddie says. “One was reluctant to say anything, but one said you could feasibly keep at least half of the garden because with a development this size, extra green space is a selling point. He did note that maybe a community garden wouldn’t be the right kind of green space, but something more landscaped.”
“Still, spatially, you could keep it?”
“Yes,” Maddie says.
We reach the 86thStreet subway station and say goodbye. Maddie, Jing, and Iris jog down the steps.
“Still, despite the garden, if he truly likes you, I think you should give him a chance,” Bella says.
“Well, that is the question, isn’t it? If he truly likes me …” I say.
“Not really.” Bella puts her arm around my shoulders. “The question is whether you can date him even if he destroys the garden.”
Chapter eight
Rupert
Ihittheballhard against the front wall of the squash court. It rebounds, and I swing forcefully.Whack.What a mess. I wipe away the sweat on my brow.
Sebastian steps through the little, red door. He’s tall like me, but with blond hair.
I hit the ball to him, spinning it slightly.
“Frustrating day at the office?” Sebastian asks.
“You could say.” I hit the ball hard. “It turns out it’s very difficult to counter compelling videos of small children planting carrots while teenagers and grandparents teach each other dance moves. We put out a video with a mom talking about how life-changing this apartment opportunity was, but it’s not like we gave it to them for free.”
Sebastian grunts as he hits the ball back to me. It’s a drop shot in the corner. Sneaky bastard. I race to get it. I miss.
“The coverage has been very positive for them,” Sebastian says. “Have you thought about dancing in a video and praising Strive Developers? You definitely could be a thirst trap.”
“What?” I stare at him.
“My sister told my mom that if she really wanted to marry me off, she could just post a picture of me on social media because, as much as she hated to admit it, I’d definitely qualify as a thirst trap.”
“I don’t even want to know what you’re talking about.”
“It’s an attractive picture of an individual posted online. She showed me some hilarious videos around Christmastime of some guy wearing flannels who said his car had just broken down near a small town, and he was waiting for his ‘one and only’ to find him.”
I look blankly at him.
“It’s a riff onHallmarkmovies.”
“You watchHallmarkmovies?”
“You can avoid them over the holidays? Both my mom and my sister watch them.” He serves. It’s another shot with topspin. I miss.
“It is true that I cannot see Rowena or your mom watchingHallmarkmovies.” Sebastian serves again. I manage to get it this time. He returns my ball easily.
I hit it off the corner.Focus. Get your mind in the game and off work … and Lily.
“I’m just saying, I’d even be willing to dance with you if it would take that frown off your face.” Sebastian chuckles.
I’m so glad he’s amusing himself.
“How about we do a video of you alone?” I ask. “Rowena can script it.”
