Page 42 of My Book Boyfriend
“Let’s walk,” Lily says. “We can probably walk it in thirty minutes.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I take her gloved hand and stick it in my coat pocket with mine. I’m worried about Lily’s feet in heels, but I’m happy to walk uptown with her.
She shakes her head at me but smiles. She doesn’t let go of my hand.
“What are some of your favorite book scenes? The ones that you still remember long after you’ve finished the book?” I like holding her hand in mine. For once, I give thanks to the subway Loki for a breakdown that allows me more time with her.
“That’s a good question.”
We wait for the light at the corner of 48thStreet and Sixth Avenue. Although a wide avenue, the buildings are so tall here that it feels like we’re walking up New York City’s equivalent of a ravine, with cliffs on either side.
“Bella has a scene in her romcom debut when everything around the couple is going wrong, but it only makes it obvious that these two people are so right for each other. And the scenes inThe Undomestic Goddessby Sophie Kinsella when she has no idea how to cook or iron.”
“I’d identify with those.”
“You can’t cook?”
“Not well. I work pretty much all the time. I eat pre-prepared meals most nights.” Left by my personal chef. “Rowena asks me why I even have a kitchen. Can you cook?”
“Yes,” Lily says.
I don’t want her to think we’re too different. “I can make scrambled eggs.”
She raises an eyebrow. “That’s handy.”
I need to get off cooking. “I just readThe Hired Man, and I was struck by the scene when the British woman stubs out her cigarette, not looking, and kills some ants, sending the rest of them panicking around their dead comrades. It happens right at the beginning, and up until that moment, she’s described positively—or so I thought. But that description was not. It really stood out for me.”
“And that foreshadowed what she did to that town.” Lily glances at me.
“Exactly.” I grip her hand tightly. “You read that book too?”
“Yes. And that scene totally struck me too, for the same reason. Because usually someone killing a lot of bugs or animals signals someone is psycho.”
“Here, she was oblivious.”
“And indifferent,” Lily says.
Don’t say anything. It’s confidential.
“I’m not indifferent to the plight of the garden.” I turn to her. “I’m searching for solutions to save it.”
“You are?” She gazes up at me, her face shining, her lips parted.
I want to be the man who deserves that look.
“But I can’t promise anything. My first priority has to be making co-CEO with Rowena.”
“I understand.” She squeezes my hand. “I appreciate that you’re considering options to save it.”
“I don’t want to get your hopes up.” Shit. Now I’ve set some impossible goal.
“I don’t have very high hopes.”
What? I’m Rupert Evans. She should think I can get this done.
But right now, I’m not the CEO.
I rub her hand. “Are you sure you’re okay with walking?”
