Chapter 11 #2
Her eyes sparked as she closed the screen just enough to shield it. “Maybe I don’t want you snooping. Ever think of that?”
“Guess I’ll have to assume it’s something scandalous,” I teased, leaning forward. “Like fan fiction about a hot swimmer who spends too much time in the pool.”
She laughed, rolling her eyes. “Nope. I prefer princes to swimmers.”
“Princes?” I echoed, raising a brow.
“Yes, if you must know,” she said playfully. “Romantasy is my favorite genre to read.”
She must have mistaken my look of surprise as one of confusion because she continued.
“Romantasy is when two genres, romance and fantasy, are combined. They usually have intricate worlds, lots of adventure and life-threatening moments, possibly magical elements or mythical creatures. And then woven in with all of the world- or kingdom-saving is a romance.”
I knew exactly what romantasy was, but I wasn’t about to tell her that. I let my mouth tug into a slow grin instead.
“So, you like sword fights and forbidden kisses in dark castles.” I leaned back in my chair. “Figures.”
“Figures?” she asked, narrowing her eyes like she was trying to decide whether I was insulting her.
“Yeah.” I lowered my voice just a notch. “You’ve got that whole mysterious-heroine vibe going on. All you’re missing is the cloak and the dagger.”
She laughed, but I swore there was a flash of something else in her expression, like I’d hit closer to home than she wanted me to.
“Careful.” She tapped a finger against her coffee cup. “You sound like you’ve actually read a romantasy book before.”
I arched a brow, playing it cool even though my pulse ticked faster, not only because we were talking about the genre I hoped would turn into a full-time career for me, but also because of her phrasing.
Careful. You sound like you’ve actually read a romantasy book before.
It reminded me of how ReadToLiv wrote to me.
Hadn’t she used similar phrasing like that before? Something like, Careful. Keep saying stuff like that, and I might start expecting you to mean it.
But then again, I’d phrased something exactly like that back to her, so maybe it was just a common phrase and I was reading way too much into this exchange. I was probably being paranoid about my secret life of writing romantasy and talking with ReadToLiv coming to light.
I schooled my features, putting on the familiar confident role I played all too well. “And if I had read one?” I asked, letting the corner of my mouth twitch like I was daring her to call my bluff.
Her eyes sparkled, like she’d caught the tiniest hint of mischief. “Then maybe I’d have to assume you secretly like princes too.”
I chuckled, shaking my head at her teasing. “Aren’t those books more known for their strong, feisty heroines? I’d definitely read about one of those.”
My answer seemed to surprise her. Her eyebrows lifted, just enough to make me wonder if I’d said too much. “Feisty heroines, huh? Demure and submissive isn’t your type, then?”
“Not really.” I grinned, leaning back a little. “Give me someone who can throw me a challenge, who keeps me on my toes. That’s the story I’d like to read.”
Her lips curved, amused and just a little impressed. “Someone who can throw you a challenge … sounds like you might have met one of those already.”
I raised a brow, letting her words land. “Maybe …”
Was Livvi flirting with me? Or could that be wishful thinking?
And why did I suddenly feel a pang of guilt running through me? It wasn’t like there was anything really going on between ReadToLiv and me, but she meant something to me. The feelings I had for her were real despite our relationship only being online.
But then there was Livvi. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some type of feelings for her too.
“Oh, my gosh!” she gasped, drawing me out of my thoughts. “I was supposed to be back at work five minutes ago.” She rushed to gather her things and put her laptop in her bag. “I was trying to squeeze in some of my coding homework.”
I instantly felt guilty at the thought of keeping her from her work. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take up your time.” Sometimes I forgot that people had work and lives outside of an all-consuming sport like me.
She waved a hand, brushing it off. “It’s fine. Really. I probably needed the break.”
I wasn’t sure if she really felt that way, but she did seem to work herself to the bone. Working a full-time job and finishing up her double majors had to be a lot.
“Glad I could help with that, then.”
Her smile was soft but teasing as she stood, gathering her things. “Just don’t expect me to let you monopolize all my lunch breaks from now on.”
“Noted,” I said, grinning. Although the thought of coming here for lunch every day to see her was very tempting.
She slung her bag over her shoulder, about to leave, but I hurried to stop her, needing to up my chances of seeing her again.
“Wait.” I stood to join her. “Before you go … if I did happen to want to read one of those romantasy books, would you have some good recommendations for me?” The excuse I had come up with wasn’t a total lie.
I did enjoy reading romantasy and was very interested in what books Livvi liked to read.
There was a part of me that wondered if she would like my book, Shadow, Smoke, and Mirrors.
And since she said she liked princes, if she would like Prince Cassemir.
I could get to know a lot about Livvi by the books she read.
Her eyes lit up like I’d just handed her a treasure map. “Are you serious? Because I have a whole list I could give you. And they’re amazing. Some of them might even keep you up at night.”
I grinned, loving how she lit up about books. “Well, why don’t you text it to me? That way I can start plotting my reading list tonight.”
Her smile looked both equal parts happy and wary. “Sure. I guess I can do that.”
I handed her my phone, and she typed her number in quickly, her fingers brushing mine for a brief second when she returned it. “Done. And I’ll warn you, if you like feisty heroines, you might not get any sleep at all.”
I laughed. “I’ll take the risk.”
She gave me one last shy smile before heading out the door.
I watched her go, feeling that rare lightness spread through me, the kind that made the heavy parts of my life—my dad, meets, pressure, my looming future—easier to breathe through.
And suddenly, a text with a list of books felt like the perfect excuse to talk to her again.