Page 61 of Only Lovers in the Building

“What are we talking about?” he asked.

Kylie got him up to speed between long sips. Noah absorbed the information, nodding. When she was done, he said, “I haven’t read the book.”

“Don’t let a small detail like that keep you from speaking your mind,” Ben said.

“I never have,” Noah said. He looked Kylie in the eye. “You love toxic men, even in books.”

“I do not!” Kylie cried.

The few patrons at the bar on that slow Sunday evening startled, looking up from their martinis and mojitos. “Settle down,” Ben said.

Noah doubled-down on his review of Kylie. “Admit it,” he said. “Clive sounds like a nightmare, and that’s the kind of man who turns you on.”

Lily reached out for Kylie’s hand. “Girl, you’re in good company. I can’t date a nice guy to save my life.”

“Nice guys are the fucking worst,” Noah said.

“Oh fuck no,” Ben said, but not in response to Noah. He was staring at his phone.

“Is something wrong?” Lily asked.

“Well, I’ve heard from Allison.”

Stunned, Lily asked, “What did she say?”

He showed her the message. The text was written in Allison Leigh’s signature style, to the point and all caps. I’M SERIOUS. CALL ME.

“Holy shit,” Lily whispered.

“What is it?” Kylie asked. “What’s going on?”

“Just someone who wants to discuss hosting a podcast,” Lily replied. “We didn’t think they were serious, but it looks like they are.”

“Pas un autre putin de podcast,” Noah moaned.

“Hold on,” Kylie said. “It’s not a bad thing. I love a podcast. What’s it about?”

“Love and romance,” Lily replied.

Kylie gave her a skeptical look. “Would you be giving advice?”

“What would qualify us to give advice?” Lily asked.

“Absolutely nothing,” Kylie said. “You told me to quit my job, and that was terrible advice.”

“That’s sound advice,” Ben said. “You need a fresh start.”

“Hold on!” Lily confronted Ben. “How do you know about Kylie’s . . . situation?”

“Is that what we’re calling it?” Ben asked, amused. “How do you think I know? She told me.”

Lily confronted Kylie. “I thought you two didn’t talk.”

“All I meant is that he doesn’t hang out,” Kylie said. “Of course we talk at the bar.”

“All this time, I didn’t say a word because I didn’t want to spread gossip!”

“You’d be the only one,” Noah said, cutting in. “A glass of red,” he said to Ben. “Whatever you have.”