Page 75 of Only Lovers in the Building

Lily: But has he truly changed, like on a microcellular level?

Ben: She’ll never know for sure.

Lily: You may have a point about Vegas. Getting hammered and waking up married happens so often in books and films, I get FOMO.

Ben: Sweet Lily . . . When was the last time you even woke up hungover?

Lily: That time you took me out for oysters!

Ben: Last weekend? That beer was water.

Lily: You don’t know me. I’d get drunk on green tea.

Ben: I do know you. One martini is all you can handle, and you probably wouldn’t take Max back. If any guy has a chance with you, they better get it right the first time.

Lily: Um . . . What were we saying? I forgot.

Ben: We’re debating the likelihood of the success of a second-chance romance.

Lily: Right. Where do you stand on that?

Ben: I’ll be honest. I’d take the risk, but my instinct would be to protect the ones I love, and I’d advise them against it.

Lily: It’s like watching someone walk into a trap. In the book, Emma’s girlfriends try to warn her, but she’s too far gone.

Ben: What could anyone do in that situation? Asking for a friend.

Lily: You love and support them the best you can. Make sure they know that if or when they hit rock bottom, you’ll be there to soften the blow. That’s the best you can do.

Ben: What if I’m not big enough of a person to do that?

Lily: I believe you are.

Ben: That’s our time.

Lily: Is it? That went by fast.

Ben: Would you like to close us out?

Lily: If anyone wants to read the book that started it all, the details are in the show notes. Our reviews are on BookTap. Join us here on Pop Shop through August and don’t forget to share this episode with the book lovers in your life.

Ben: What are we discussing next week?

Lily: Boss Babe, a sapphic romance by Gloria Hernandez. We’ll drop a link below.

Chapter Twenty-One

Kylie offered to host a dinner party to celebrate the launch of their new podcast. Lily saw the offer for what it was: a thinly veiled excuse for the chef to get back into the kitchen. She did not take well to time off, and her forced vacation was wearing her out. Lily accepted her offer just the same, with one caveat. “Dinner and book club. We’re overdue for an official first meeting.”

“Good luck herding those cats,” Kylie said.

“Food might help,” Lily said. “Thanks, Kylie. This is so nice of you.”

“I’m happy to do it,” she said. “This is exciting. It feels right to celebrate.”

Lily, who hadn’t felt excitement in a long time, mistook the sudden rush for an anxiety attack. Late last night, she’d sat up in bed, taking deep breaths until she realized that her unease was actually giddiness.

“You’re right,” she said. “I’ll get the good champagne.”