Page 58 of A Bookish Story

Mami leans in close. “I want to ask you for a favor. Go with me to a singles event,” she says.

“What? No way!”

“Why not? I can see how lonely you are and finding someone new is the best way to get over an ex.”

“I am not lonely and I don’t need anyone. You’re talking about yourself. Why don’t you sign up for Tinder or one of those later in life silver-haired dating apps?”

She gives me her pouty look. “They’re not safe. Besides, I prefer the old-fashioned way. Face to face.”

She has a point and I for one will never swipe right. All those apps go about love in the wrong way. Trust me, I’m a romance writer, I know these things. I’m delighted, too, to be wrong about my mother and Eddie. There’s nothing there and I should have known. A man getting together with his brother’s widow is just too weird. The thought fills me with relief and I suppose if Mami finds someone new, that will further cement the fact Eddie would never be an option, even in a weird alternate reality. I consider the idea because I should encourage her.

“What kind of singles event?”

“Abuelita’s parish is putting it on, so you know it will be safe. Lots of Catholic singles mingling, looking for love. What could be better?”

I think I’d rather put my honey-covered hand into an ant hill but nevertheless, it sounds like at least not too much funny business will be going on. Still, I’m a bit shocked by the implications. My mother is looking for a nice single man in my town. I’m not sure how this will shake out. She’s never going to settle for a long-distance relationship.

“I guess you’re staying. How much longer?”

“As long as Eddie and Abuelita will have me. This is home, and you’re here.” She pushes a lock of my hair back, but it’s a gentle move, with no comments on the length for once. “There’s no place I’d rather be.”

She’s trying, and it’s incredibly annoying. I have too much on my plate to indulge her. I have research to do, Ryan’s proposal to critique, a sequel to write. An apartment to find.

“Fine. I’ll go with you. But I won’t be staying long. I absolutely am not looking for love! And that’s final.”

CHAPTER 20

When Monday arrives, Ryan hands me a check the moment after I walk through the door.

After two weeks, it’s my first official paycheck but when I open it there are a few too many zeroes. “What’s this?”

He squints. “I’m no accountant, but it looks like a check.”

“But I didn’t expect this much.”

He’s again sitting at the dining table in the middle of his mess. There’s a laptop open in front of him but he still takes a moment to look up and nod.

“I added more than we originally agreed, since that was before you decided to help save my reputation.” He picks up the coffee I’ve brought him. “Did you get my order right this time?”

Once. I got his order wrong once and I still blame the barista.

“I’ll try not to be offended by your lack of faith.” I cross my arms as he takes a sip. “It’s been right the last two times. Black, two creams, no sugar.”

He nods and goes back to his laptop.

I have much to do, like check my emails for anything Pepper has scheduled for Elizabeth. I’ve got interview questions to answer from a major book influencer who has asked to do a podcast about me. I’m firmly in my Elizabeth Brogan era and interested in seeing how it all works from the side of an author who’s been successful.

And I should really respond to Holly’s email. Late last night, I came up with a plausible explanation.

To: inthequerytrenches@yahoo

From: theghostwriter@hotmail

Re: WTAF

Dear Holly,

I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you any of this, but this was one of those “sooper” secret projects you hear about sometimes. You know, all that vague publishing news? The agent and publisher asked me not to talk about it. I didn’t tell anyone, or I would have told you! I couldn’t let anyone know because I was so nervous about writing a book only from the hero’s POV. It’s different from anything I’ve ever done, as you will see when you read it. Please forgive the oversight. I want to share everything I can with you now, so please ask me anything. As you can imagine, I honestly never thought to dream this big.