Page 56 of Guys Can't Write Romance
“And not just one, but three of them. Back to back,” Chloe said.
“I promised to help him learn romance tropes and story beats,” Daisy said. “So, I started him on Hallmark 101.”
“And it took him three movies to learn them?” Ava said.
“I have a feeling it’s going to take a lot more,” Daisy said. “But at least he took the monsters out of his novel.”
“Which, if you knew Chad, is a huge accomplishment,” Chloe said.
“He sounds like a real class act,” Ava said.
“He’s not a bad guy once you get past the obnoxious frat-boy exterior,” Daisy said, surprising herself with the quickness of her defense. “And he’s been a big help with my male lead and understanding how guys think. And if Chloe tells him I said that, I’ll paper her room in Post-Its.”
Chloe broke into a big grin. “I’m chalking that one up as a win for Team Chad.”
Ava frowned. “We’re dividing into teams now?”
“No,” Daisy said. “There’s no teams.”
“There is for me,” Chloe said. “Team Chad all the way, baby.”
Ava just shook her head and turned back to Daisy. “If you want to understand how men think, why not just talk to Ethan?”
“Because she’s writing a sports romance story,” Chloe jumped back in, “not a guide on how to cure insomnia. He’d turn a steamy kiss into a lecture on proper dental hygiene.”
“Chloe!” Daisy exclaimed.
“What? Am I wrong? His idea of spontaneity is switching from white wine to red.”
“Chad’s also helping me understand baseball,” Daisy quickly added, trying to keep the conversation from veering completely out of control. “Which, since my story’s about a baseball player, only makes sense.”
“Again,” Ava cut in, “why not ask Ethan?”
“You mean the guy who called a basketball a ‘bouncy sphere’?” Chloe said.
“I’m just concerned, that’s all,” Ava said, leaning forward. “You’re spending a lot of time with this Chad character, which you could be spending with Ethan. Need I remind you, he’ll be managing the mergers and acquisitions department soon, and able to provide you with everything you need. Security, stability, support. As your friend, I’m advising you, don’t blow this.”
“Notice how she left out fun,” said Chloe. “And passion. And, I don’t know, actual human emotions.”
“Fun doesn’t pay mortgages,” Ava countered.
“No, but it prevents you from dying of boredom before you can make the payments.”
“Nobody said anything about blowing things with Ethan,” Daisy jumped in. “Contrary to what my brain-damaged roommate thinks, there is no Team Chad. He’s my writing partner, and that’s all.”
“With an asterisk in that last part,” said Chloe, making a notation gesture in the air. “Writing partner who makes her laugh out loud and actually enjoy life. Writing partner who remembers the details of her book without having to be reminded what it’s about. Writing partner who invites her to hang out with him and his friends on a non-writing day.”
“That’s a bit of an exaggeration,” Daisy said, though something in her expression suggested she wasn’t entirely convinced of her own protest. Chad had, after all, remembered the title of her book when making his toast at the bar.
“Oh, honey, I have witnesses. And I’m pretty sure the guys at the tables next to us filmed it.”
Daisy buried her face in her hands. “I hate you.”
“No, you don’t.” Chloe patted her arm. “And you don’t hate Chad either.”
“Speaking of Chad,” Daisy said, sitting up and checking her phone, “I need to go. We’re meeting to work on our books.”
“Right,” Chloe nodded sarcastically, making air-quotes around her next word. “Books.”
