Page 44 of The Book Club Boyfriend
“Congrats,” I deadpan. “You’ve cracked the case.”
He huffs a laugh, then gestures ahead. “C’mon. Rip’s waiting.”
Sure enough, Rip has paused up ahead on thetrail, sitting in the shade of a tree with his tail wagging while he waits patiently for us.
“Who’s the best boy?” I coo, rubbing his head while his tongue flops out.
Rip sprints off again, and we dutifully follow.
It’s… nice. Surprisingly easy.
Then, just as I start to think we might actually make it through this entire outing without Chase annoying the hell out of me, he asks, “So, how’s the writing coming?”
I stiffen.
Damn it.
And just like that, the easy mood evaporates.
Between Harper’s constant texts and Chase checking in… I’m ready to snap.
Chase notices immediately. Of course he does.
He arches a brow, oblivious—or maybe not—to the sudden tension in my shoulders. “That bad, huh?”
I exhale slowly, keeping my voice even. “It’s fine.”
“You hesitated.”
“No, I didn’t.”
He gives me a look. “Scottie…”
I clench my jaw. Why did he have to say my name like that? Like he actually cares?
I force a shrug, adjusting my sunglasses. “It’s just… slow-going.”
He hums, unconvinced. “Writer’s block?”
“No.”
“Uh-huh.”
I glance at him, scowling. “Do you always have to push?”
His mouth tips into an infuriating smirk. “Yes.”
I huff, kicking a loose rock with the toe of my sneaker. “It’s not writer’s block. It’s just… my process.”
“Your process,” he echoes, sounding uncertain.
I glare at him. “I guess so.”
It didn’t used to be this way. The old me could whip a book out in six months,fourif I was really in the zone. I’ve been struggling for ten now and don’t even have a thousand words.
Chase grins, like he enjoys pissing me off. (Spoiler: He does.) Then, in an easy, nonchalant voice, he asks, “So what’s the big deal?”
I blink. “What?”
