Page 11 of The Virgin Romance Novelist Chronicles
Laughing, he shook his head no. “It came in plastic packaging, you know the kind you can never get open, and I knew if you saw it, you would never even attempt to open it, so I did that for you. It didn’t dawn on me to actually include the instructions. I thought you already knew.”
“I know nothing,” I said with shame in my voice.
“Chin up, Rosie. You’ll get there.” He squeezed me tighter.
“Thank you for the Kindle though, I can’t wait to start reading.”
“Of course. I wish you’d told me about all this earlier. I would have been flaunting you all over school and at parties. We would have hooked you up.”
“I don’t think I could have handled a one-night stand back then. I’m not as sexually charged as you and Delaney. I’m not comfortable in my skin like you two. I mean, you both walk outside and people inadvertently start humping your legs.”
“That’s not quite accurate, but I appreciate the compliment,” he said with a smile in his voice.
“Do you think I need to change my hair or clothes?”
Pulling away, he looked at me and shook his head as he studied me with those pretty eyes of his.
“You’re perfect, Rosie. Don’t change a thing. You just need more confidence in yourself. Instead of cowering behind your books, maybe unbutton your top button and thrust your chest out, flip your hair to the side, do a little flirting. You’re beautiful and you know it, so own it, Rosie.”
“Thanks, Henry, but it’s harder for me.”
“Oh I see, playing hard to get.” He nudged me, making me laugh.
“Yes, that’s it. I’ve been playing hard to get with every man on the planet for the past twenty-three years.”
“Ambitious.” He laughed.
“Go big or go home.” I shrugged. We sat in silence for a second before I said, “I have a date on Friday.”
Squeezing my side, he said, “Seriously, that’s great. With who? Is it from the dating website?”
“No, I haven’t even looked at that thing yet. Do you remember Jenny from my office?”
“The one who’s dating that douche nugget, Drew?”
“Yeah, that’s her.”
“She could do so much better.”
I pulled away and studied him. “Are you saying you would want to get it on with Jenny?”
Laughing, Henry shook his head. “Get it on? You’re adorable, and no, she annoys the crap out of me. She’s gorgeous, but you know I like the little brunettes. I’m just holding out for you.”
“Are you trying to teach me how to flirt?”
“Is it working?” He winked.
“No.” I laughed, as I wrapped my arm back around his waist and snuggled closer. “Anyway, Drew has a friend named Atticus.”
“Atticus? Like fromTo Kill a Mockingbird?”
I paused as I thought about it. “You know, I never connected his name with a book. That makes it so much better.”
“Jesus”—he shook his head—“I should have kept my mouth shut.”
“Anyway, we’re all going swing dancing on Friday. I’m excited because I haven’t been swing dancing since college but also a little nervous about actually going on a blind date.”
“You know I’ll go swing dancing with you. I’m the best partner you’ll ever have. Remember the time I flipped you over my head and you lost your balance and landed ass first in the punch bowl?”
