“I think most people were too preoccupied to approach us. That festival was nightmare inducing.” I shudder.
“Lucky for you, you got a 6’4 teddy bear to keep you safe tonight.” She nudges me with her shoulder.
We start talking about what we like to do in our free time, and it turns out we like to read the same books. Apparently, we got kind of loud because Ty’s voice cuts through the night. “Hey! Steph! Tell Ellie about your theory about the —”
“You read those books too?” Phoenix asks, “Vi is obsessed.”
“What books?” Cameron asks.
“They’re dirty books.” Phoenix goes to explain.
“Wait like porn. You watch porn?”Cameron asks, looking at Stephanie.
“I don’t watch porn.” Stephanie sniffs. “I read it, like a fucking lady.” I decide that I’m keeping Stephanie. She’s now one of my people.
“Wait so these books are like porn?” Cameron asks. “Like how dirty are we talking?”
“Well, it depends on the book and the author. Not all romance novels have spice in them, some are closed door, those are the ones with the fade to black scenes or off page sex. Then there are the open door books, where those can range from vague descriptions to highly detailed and explicit scenes. Then you have what some would call vanilla sex, enjoyable but nothing too crazy. Then the spice can be ramped up depending if it has kinks, toys or other things that would deviate from what people consider vanilla. The more adventurous typically the higher the spice level. Then there’s a whole other subsect with dark romance. Which I don’t think you’re ready for yet.” Stephanie explains, noticing the look of confusion on Cameron’s face.
“Listen, don’t knock romance books until you try them, they are the backbone of the literacy world and sell more copies than any other subgenre.” Ty interjects.
Archer clears his throat. “I’ve been reading some of the pirate ones that Ellie has on her shelf.”
I gasp loudly and turn to him a huge smile forming across my face. “You have?! Do you like them?! What prompted you to read them?!”
“Well I started reading them to have something else in common with you, and I am a little ashamed to say that I got jealous that you had this huge thing in commonwith Ty and I wanted to be able to share it with you as well which is how I ended up exploring other romance genres.” He says as he comes up behind me drops a kiss on my head.
“We should start a book club!” Sadie exclaims.
Everyone but Phoenix agrees. “I’m more of a nonfiction guy. I’ve tried to read some of Vi’s favorites, but I can’t picture it.”
“Are you one of those people that can’t visualize images in their head?”
“Actually yeah.” Phoenix explains.
The conversation seems to split off, half of us listening to Phoenix’s description of what it’s like in his brain and the other half of us engrossed in what our first book should be for book club.
I must have dozed off because when I come to, it’s only Ty, Sadie and Stephanie left, and they’re all gathering up their things and are ready to leave. I hear Stephanie telling Ty and Archer, she’ll see them at work in the morning and that Sadie needs to text her with the book we decide on.
???
The following morning Archer and I are out for brunch at Oracle, a cute cafe within walking distance of his apartment. The cafe is a mix of woods and metals with fresh flowers dotting every other table. There is a seating area with plush armchairs and couches near the windows that have a view of the river. It’s trendy and apparently the place to go for brunch on Saturday. It’s crowded and several people have stopped and asked Archer for a photowhich he politely obliges. While he is busy taking selfies I get us a table with the hostess.
She leads me to a nice, secluded table outside by a small flower garden. It’s beautiful out, a perfect fall day and I plan on spending as much time outside today as possible. Archer has mandatory pregame meetings after this, so Sadie and I are going to the pumpkin patch.
Stephanie told us about the community Trunk or Treat event that the Wolves are putting on this upcoming Tuesday. Sadie and I told her that we are familiar with the event. We have been involved with it for the past three years. Many of our students and families attend it. The annual Trunk or Treat always takes place the day before Halloween so the kids can go trick or treating on actual Halloween night.
I’m lost in thought when Archer finally takes a seat. “I am so sorry about that. Once someone asked, then everyone wanted one.
“It’s okay.” I smile, “I ordered coffee for us. I took a risk and ordered us both pumpkin spiced lattes.”
“I thought you didn’t like them?”
“No, I usually make them myself at home. I just feel like so many of the shops have them tasting like potpourri. I have my own recipe that I have perfected over the years, and I just personally think mine are the best.”
“Tell me what to buy for the recipe, and then we’ll make our own at home. I bought that fancy espresso machine that I have no idea howto use.” Archer jokes, but I’m pretty sure he’s serious. Sadie and contemplated trying to YouTube it to make espresso martinis last night.
The waitress comes back with our coffees and takes our orders. Archer orders an omelet with mushrooms, peppers, sausage and cheese, and I order the fall flavors French toast because why not.
