Page 66 of Only Lovers in the Building

She turned away from the box. “No, actually . . . I was working out my perspective on romantic fiction.”

“Really?” he asked, rummaging through the refrigerator.

“Yes, really,” she said. “You only have yourself to blame.”

His laugh was low, warm, and familiar. “You give me too much credit.”

“Enjoy it,” Lily replied. “It won’t happen again.”

“What is the Lily Lyon perspective on romantic fiction?” he asked.

“It’s a work in progress.”

He dropped a container onto the counter. “Let’s hear it.”

She launched into her theory. “One of the main complaints about the genre is that it sets up unrealistic expectations. One false expectation is that men will man up, for lack of a better term. No offense, but your gender has not been pulling its weight.”

“None taken,” he said. “But please, go on. I’m intrigued.”

“The reader risks falling for a type or a trope, rather than a person,” she said.

“Not buying it. The same could be said about fairy tales.”

“Fairy tales had their moment,” Lily said. “Generations of girls hoped their prince would come.”

“Hope kills.”

“It’s a deadly drug.”

“Should we work your theories into the podcast?” he asked.

“Maybe,” she said. “But first we should come up with a concept, then break down each episode.”

“We don’t need a concept. All we need is you.”

“Are you sure you’re not a romance hero? You always say the right thing.”

“I’m no hero, Lily. You know it.”

“I know you only agreed to the podcast because of me.”

Without Ben there would have been no offer. She was no one, as far as Allison Leigh was concerned. Ben, fresh off his MacArthur win, was the draw.

“I’m getting paid to do something I was happy to do for free,” he said. “I don’t think I made it out so bad.” He joined her at the table with water and a bowl of grapes. “Sorry. This is all I have.”

“That’s fine.” Lily reached for a grape. “Next time I go grocery shopping, I’ll get us some proper late-night snacks.”

“You don’t have to do that,” he said.

“I want to,” she replied. “I like shopping for us.”

She wished she hadn’t said that. A statement like that would freak out most guys. It made it sound as if she were ready to move in. Ben didn’t seem to mind. After a moment, he got up and retrieved the leather box.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“I saw you looking at it.”

Lily stirred uncomfortably in her seat. “You don’t have to do that.”