Page 31 of Book Boyfriend
“Stop what?” he asks.
“All of it. Following my book. Trying to make it real. It’s amazing and unbelievably sweet, but it has to be costing you a fortune.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
“I am worried and it’s not necessary.”
He sighs. “Let me ask you a question. All this stuff you’ve written about . . . the concert at the office, the dress and dinner, the being taken away for the night . . . is that based on actual events or is it all fantasy?”
“It’s fantasy. Everyone knows that stuff never really happens. It’s why so many women read books about it. It’s nice to think that it could happen, but it’s never happened for me or anyone I know.”
“That’s the thing, Greer. It should be happening for you. You deserve all this and more.”
My head tilts to the side as I regard him. “You don’t know me. How do you know what I deserve?”
He opens the container of lasagna and starts putting some on my plate. I watch him do the same with the other two. He opens the bag and hands me a breadstick. “Butter or no butter?”
I take it from him and get up on my knees. “If I seem the least bit unappreciative, I’m sorry. Honestly, it’s been amazing. This whole day. But I don’t expect any of it.”
“And that’s exactly why you deserve it.”
“Fisher . . .” I sigh in frustration.
“Your dinner’s getting cold. Let’s eat and watch the sunset.” He snaps his fingers and pulls out a jar candle. He feels around in his pocket and pulls out a lighter.
“Is there anything you didn’t think of?” I ask, taking a large bite of my breadstick.
“Probably. Good thing your stories are so descriptive. Penn’s got game.”
“Penn isn’t real.”
“I need to live up to your standards.”
“Dear God, Fisher! No, you don’t.”
He takes a big bite of ravioli and moans lightly. “Did you try this yet?” He holds out a fork of ravioli to me and I eat it. I nod in approval as I chew.
He puts another on his fork and hands it to me. Before I take another bite I ask, “Did you really read the whole book?” I’m guessing he must have to know what he knows.
“Twice. The second time I placed tabs at the parts I thought I should remember.”
“Like what?”
“One of my favorites is the beach.” He winks and my face heats.
“I’m sorry I asked.”
“Did I really make your toes curl?”
“Oh my God! Stop.”
“What? I need to remember what I did right in case I get the chance to do it again.”
I put my fingers in my ears and stare at the checkered pattern on the blanket, silently willing him to drop it.
“I also liked the part where you said you’d follow me anywhere.”
I shake my head and start to hum lightly.
