Page 118 of Guys Can't Write Romance
“Sounds thrilling. Did it come with a white picket fence and a lobotomy?”
“This is exactly what I’m talking about,” Ava snapped. “You think everything’s a joke. Life is just one big fraternity party to you. Meanwhile, Ethan is a successful investment banker who—”
“Who sent her a cruel text about her ‘little writing hobby’ and ‘childish’ dreams the moment she stopped fitting into his perfect plan.” Chad faced her. “Yeah, real catch.”
“At least he could give her a future. What can you offer? A teacher’s salary and a roommate who eats raw eggs?”
“Hey, leave Rhino out of this. And for your information, I happen to be very good at my job.”
“Playing dodgeball with children is hardly a career.”
“Says the ambulance chaser. How many dog bite cases are you working this week?”
“I work for the top corporate law firm in Century City.”
“Defending corporations from the little guy. How noble.” He started toward his office. “Are we done here? Because I have actual work to do.”
“You’re not good enough for her.”
Chad’s step faltered, but he didn’t turn around. “Wasn’t aware I was trying to be.”
“Please. I’ve seen how you look at her. But this little fantasy you’re building? It won’t last. Daisy will come to her senses and realize she needs more than movie nights and bad jokes.”
“You know what your problem is, Anderson? You think happiness comes with a price tag.”
“And you think it comes with a screening of ‘The Breakfast Club’ and some gas station snacks.”
“At least I don’t measure someone’s worth by their bank account.”
“No, you just measure it by how many pranks they can pull or how many beers they can chug.”
“If you’re done insulting my character,” Chad said, “I have lesson plans to write. Unless you’d like to sue me for emotional distress? I hear that’s very popular these days.”
“This isn’t over, McKenzie.”
“Actually, it is. But hey, if you’re ever in need of a good dodgeball workout to release some of that Type A tension, my class meets at one.”
Ava’s heels clicked away with military precision, leaving Chad alone in his office. He slumped into his chair, her words echoing in his head.
You’re not good enough for her.
The worst part wasn’t that Ava had said it.
The worst part was that he was starting to think she might be right.
The back room of The Book Nook Café hummed with its usual mixture of clinking coffee cups, rustling papers, and the occasional sharp wit courtesy of Mags.
Daisy, freshly caffeinated and armed with a neatly clipped stack of notes, felt more relaxed than she had in weeks. The breakup with Ethan should have weighed more heavily, but the truth was, the writing group, and especially a certain PE coach, had been an unexpected comfort lately. Her face brightened as he walked in.
“Hey,” she said, patting the seat beside her. “Saved you a seat.”
“Thanks,” he said, sliding into the seat and unpacking his notebook from his backpack.
“Did you get my text?” she asked.
There was a moment’s hesitation before he responded. “Yeah. Sorry. I was gonna text back, then I got kinda sidetracked with work.”
“Isn’t your work philosophy don’t do today what you can put off indefinitely?” she teased, trying to draw out some of his playfulness.
