Page 42 of A Bookish Story

“If I was writing this book, I’d say you’re in an opposites-attract situation with that woman.”

He nods. “That’s true. You’re very observant.”

“Where did you meet her?”

“In Pasadena, but she moved out here a few years ago for her work. She’s a software engineer.”

I don’t know why that hits me like a punch. They obviously have history. This woman means something to him.

Ryan throws away what’s left of his cone in the nearby receptacle, then turns to me with his full attention. He takes off his glasses and props them on his head like he wants me to see his eyes. They squint against the sun but they’re still every bit as blue.

“The woman you saw me with this morning is my ex-wife.”

CHAPTER 15

His ex-wife. His ex-wife in the coffee shop in Seven Trees, stroking his hand. He’s rented Professor Henry’s home while he’s on sabbatical, but maybe it’s not a coincidence this is also where his ex lives. I don’t know why I should care, except that I’ve started to feel protective about Ryan. It has nothing to do with my picturing him at the ball in the 1940s just watching me from a distance with a look of longing as I danced with the others. Nothing to do with the way his dark hair glistens in the sun and when he smiles it feels like a gift.

I don’t have a thing for Ryan. I can’t. The blocks always work like a charm but in this case slivers of desire are threading through.

I need to change the subject. This is none of my business.

“Um, I forgot to mention the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989 hit this area hard. Lots of rebuilding. But you don’t need to know that.” I wave my hand. “It’s past the era of your novel.”

“That’s it? You’re not going to ask me what I was doing having coffee with the woman who tore my heart out by its ventricles?”

“It’s none of my business.”

“But you make everything your business. Don’t think I didn’t catch you looking through my mail.”

Busted. I rub my sweaty palms against my jeans and bite my lower lip.

“I was…I was looking for something you asked me for. Don’t give me that look. You’re drowning in paperwork and asked me to organize you!”

“Uh-huh.” But he seems to be fighting a smile, his eyes twinkling. “I understand. You were curious. I can’t say I haven’t felt the same way about you.”

“You have?”

“When you left me alone in your shed so you could consider my offer, I took an inventory of every book you own.”

Inexplicably, I feel the start of a tingle in my belly. I’ve been seen.

“And…how did I do?”

“I’d have to say eight of ten if I’m grading. More romance that I would like, but with a generous showing for the classics.”

I have to smile at this. This is the man who’s written possibly the year’s bestselling romance book. Eventually, I will ask what possessed him. I assume it’s the money but with what I’ve learned about Ryan, there’s more to it.

“And speaking of romance, we were talking about your heart when you changed the subject. I mean, you’ve been warned. It’s not like I have to tell you about the high failure rates of a second marriage with the same person. The problems you had before will still be there.”

“From what I’ve read, the failure rates of a second marriage in general are bad, so I’m screwed any way you look at it.”

I tip my chin. “Not with the right person. Those statistics are skewed.”

Ryan breaks into a smile, and it’s the most relaxed and authentic one I’ve ever seen on him. “You’re making that up.”

“I am not. It just makes sense that your outcome will be different with someone new. Two different people with differing backgrounds and histories make for a completely different situation.”

He lifts a shoulder. “I won’t argue since it seems to put me on a more even playing field.”