“I’m scared to look.” I hand her my phone. “You read it.”
I watch Char’s expression closely. She breaks into a grin. “Oh, he definitely likes you, and he really liked that kiss.” She looks like she’s trying hard not to laugh. “Even if he’s a bit formal.”
“What does it say?”
“Nope, you lost your chance. You were too chicken to read it.”
“Char! Give me my phone!” I reach for it. She leaps from the couch, forcing me to chase her around our very tiny front room, which serves as both a kitchen and family room. Thump, thump! The neighbors below pound the ceiling. We both freeze. Char hands me the phone, which I read immediately.
Liam
Happy to reconnect with you tonight. Would you be up for coffee tomorrow?
“Happy to reconnect,” Char says in a deep voice, mimicking Liam. “So, is that what the kids call it these days.”
“Shut up!” I say. “You’re not helping. What should I say?”
“It depends, do you want to ‘reconnect’ again?” She makes air quotes when she says reconnect and then breaks out laughing.
“No, except, yes! But I can’t date Liam.”
“Why not? He’s a good guy, and he’s really into you.”
“I’m not 100% sure he is a good guy. I mean, I don’t believe everything Noah said about him. Sounds like he really is a great boss. But it’s still possible that Liam’s a bit of a player. He flirted with me shamelessly tonight. Maybe he’s not that into me? He just might like ‘reconnecting.’”
Char nods her approval. “It’s a catchy term. Soon, everyone will be saying it.”
“And then there’s that minor detail that I’ve written him as the villain in my book.”
“That hardly matters, just change the name.” Char munches on popcorn while I continue to stare at his message. “You can change that, can’t you?”
“Oh yeah, I’m definitely going to do that, even if it delays publication. But I’m still not sure if I should go out with him.” I take a handful of popcorn. “What’s the point? I’m moving back to Iowa.”
“Are you sure about that? In a few weeks, I’ll bring home a real salary. You could live here rent free while you look for another job.”
“Char, that’s incredibly generous, but I can’t take handouts.” My cousin April already made me the same offer when she heard about my plans to move back to Iowa. She suggested I move to LA and share an apartment with her, but it’s important to me to be independent. And that’s a whole lot easier if I move back to Iowa. I’ve already accepted a teaching job at a community college in Ames. “There’s really no reason for me to stay here.”
“There’s nearly a billion reasons. Lettie, you realize there are women who would move across the country just for a chance to date Liam Darcy.”
“It’s not like he wants to marry me.”
“You’re so frustrating! You marry who you date. And I saw Liam on your first date. He really likes you. For him, this isn’t casual. You should stay for the summer; see where this goes.” Char’s plan is tempting. And I suspect she might be right about Darcy’s feelings. But that also scares me. What if he is serious about me? Could I really date him? The thought terrifies me.
“I thought you didn’t believe in marriage.”
“I maintain that most women end up giving more than they get out of the deal. My stance is get married only if you benefit from the union. And if you married Liam Darcy, you would certainly benefit. Not to mention, the guy’s a snack.”
“That’s the truth.”
“And consider how nice it would be to have millions of dollars at your disposal. You could name a hospital wing after me.”
“I thought you said you don’t need a man to support you.”
“I don’t. But trust me if a man as rich and hot as your Mr. Darcy asked me out, I would give him a chance.”
“Fine, you convinced me. I won’t ghost him.”
“So, you’re going to say, yes to coffee?” Char asks.
