Page 23 of A Bookish Story

“Oh, absolutely! Can I tell you something? So did I! I wanted to just slug her a few times.”

And I’m not even lying.

I’m on a roll. The thing to do is agree with everything she says. I’m golden. Then I say something for which I worry Ryan might never forgive me. It’s an honest mistake, born of nerves, insecurity, and my borderline neurotic need to please.

“Something special is coming next. And I think you’re going to like it.”

“Sounds like a sequel.” She squeals and claps her hands. “Please give us more Grayson! Let Lula choose him or at least give him someone else. He deserves to be happy.”

“I’ll see what I can do!” I hook my thumb in the air.

I actually point, wink, and make an awful clicking sound with my tongue, which isn’t something I’ve done before or will ever do again. It’s as if I’ve stepped outside my body and become a used car salesman.

“Come on down! We got what you need.” Point, wink, point, annoying tongue click.

“I’m thrilled. You’ll have to send me an early copy.”

“Of course, of course.”

Finally, thank you God, it’s over. She lets me know that the program will air next week during the last hour of the morning show.

I wait for the recording to end, and slide off the stool, this time with something resembling a hint of grace.

I find Ryan on a stool in the kitchen, head in his hands.

“I can’t believe you did that.”

I throw my palms up. “I’m sorry! I folded. I didn’t mean to. It just…it just came out of me.”

“You made it sound like there will be another book!”

“You saw what happened! She had me on the ropes. All the pressure got to me. I just couldn’t take it.”

“But I told you I was done.”

“Look, you wouldn’t be the first author to get writer’s block and never be able to write another word. Let’s say that’s what happened and why there won’t be another book.”

He stood. “Don’t wish writer’s block on me!”

“Not you, Elizabeth Brogan. It’s just fiction. Remember fiction?”

“Hello? Ryan?” The disembodied voice of Pepper calls to us from the other room. “Luci?”

I’ve forgotten all about her. Apparently, so has Ryan.

“Do you think she heard you promise another book?” Ryan runs a hand through his hair.

I follow him back into the living room.

“Oh hey, Pepper.” He strolls in casually, hands in the pockets of his jeans. “We were just conferring. About how it went.”

“That’s right,” I say, giving the face of Pepper on the monitor a little wave, hoping my cheeks aren’t as flushed as they feel. “We were discussing and conferring.”

“So…did you hear the entire interview?” Ryan says. “I think it went well.”

“I saw it more than heard it,” Pepper says. “The sound wasn’t the best. From what I can tell, it went smoothly. I’m sure I’ll hear soon. What did you two think? Exciting, right?”

“Exciting.” Ryan gives me the side-eye.