“This makes no sense. Fiction isn’t applicable to real life.”
“Let’s just see. Give me the actions.”
I sigh and rub my hands on my thighs as I think. Five minutes later, Maggie’s second self-worded list is complete, now in bullet points.
Throw the flag—challenge the heroes, get under their skin.
Touchy-feely time—create physical contact (i.e. trip, fall, horseback activities won’t work here). Once they’re close, chemistry takes over.
Anger hookup—argue, get in each other’s faces and then get frisky to ease the tension.
Oh, hey, other handsome stranger—make him jealous.
Cheers! Heroine and hero get drunk.
Secrets, secrets are so fun—have one or both reveal something deeply personal. Now it’s them against the world.
“This looks promising,” Maggie says when she’s written her last point. “And one more thing...” She lifts the pen once more, putting a 1 next to the first column, a 2 next to the second column and then a 3 next to something she scribbles at the bottom of the page. She hands me the paper a moment later and I skip to the end.
3. Ciao! Finish that book and off to Italy.
“You’re welcome,” she says.
My cell phone timer then starts to ring, reminding me it’s time to get back to Duke.
“We better go,” I say, folding up the paper and sliding it into my bag.
“Off we march into battle.” Maggie finishes the last of her coffee and gets up to toss the cup into the trash beside the door. I’m sliding my chair back and standing up as well when the woman sitting beside us gives me a little wave, trying to get my attention.
“I’m sorry,” she says, “but I couldn’t help overhearing pieces of your conversation. Did your friend say that you’re Kara Sullivan?”
I’m caught off guard but quickly respond with a small smile. “Yeah, that’s me.”
The woman seems flustered by my response but smiles back. “Oh, my gosh! I have to tell you, I’ve read all of your books and they really are just wonderful.”
I’m flattered by this lovely lady with exceptional taste in literature. “Thank you so much. I’m glad you enjoyed them. It was nice meeting you.”
“Oh, you too!” she says. I’m poised to leave when she leans forward again in her chair. “I’m sorry, but I have to ask you... Do you—do you just lead such a romantic life?”
I look down at my hopeful reader as Maggie walks out the door. I say the first thing that comes to my mind.
“I’m working on it.”
Maggie and I are standing in the doorway outside her bathroom, looking down lovingly at the still-passed-out Duke. His tongue is dangling out of his mouth and his feet shimmy a little with each passing snore.
“Why does he sleep in the bathroom?” Maggie asks.
“Don’t know. Ryan says he has since he got him.”
“Sounds like you have a couple of winners on your hands.”
“Ah yes,” I agree, leaning down to attach Duke’s leash to his collar and petting him awake. “They’re two princes, all right.”
He wakes up with a big stretch and I gently lead him across the room.
“So just to recap,” Maggie says, sneaking in front of me to hold open her apartment door, “don’t be you tonight. Tonight, you are one of your sexy, brave characters who fears nothing and gets exactly what she wants.”
“I am fully prepared to consider that suggestion.”
“Not quite the commitment I’m looking for, but I guess I’ll take it. I want to hear all about it tomorrow.”
“And so you shall,” I say as Duke and I walk out into the hallway. He’s more than hesitant when we reach the top of the stairwell but eventually starts to descend after a little coaxing.
“Now remember,” Maggie calls out as Duke and I finish the first flight of stairs, “try not to stress too much, and when in doubt, think romance novel!” Her door slams shut a second later and her advice rings out in my ears.
Think romance novel. Think romance novel...
My inner mantra is soon interrupted when the shrill sound of dog barks echoes through the stairwell from somewhere below. Duke takes off in a fury down the stairs and I’m propelled forward by his sheer weight and momentum. It takes all the balance I possess to keep my footing as I slide down the steps on the heels of my feet.
“Duke! Stay!” I beg.
He drags me faster as we hit the main floor and go barreling through the foyer. I turn sideways, tensing myself for impact as I slam into the entrance door, thinking it’s an absolute miracle that it didn’t shatter. Duke goes up on his back paws, jumping against the glass and barking nonstop at the small but noisy Chihuahua standing on the other side.
I close my eyes and grab my shoulder as intense pain shoots up and down my arm.
Well, I can’t say that any of my romance novel heroines have rocked an arm splint in the midst of their scandalous seductions, but I suppose there’s a first time for everything.
10
Charlotte’s breath ripped from her chest as she ran out onto the deserted balcony facing the eastern edge of the estate. She looked skyward as she struggled to calm herself, concentrating on filling her lungs with the crisp night air. She assumed she was alone, but she should have known Robert would follow her out into the darkness.
“Are you all right?” he asked as he moved to her side.
Still gazing up into an endless pool of stars, Charlotte steadied her voice. It wouldn’t do for him to know that she was crying. “I’m fine. Just tired.”
Robert moved closer still, trailing his fingers against hers. Charlotte sighed at the soft contact.
“George said you and your father had an argument.”
“We do that quite often.” Charlotte moved her fingers back against his. She knew it was wrong, but she didn’t care. She couldn’t stop. “I thought George had gone up to bed. I’ll go speak to him.”
She began to walk away but Robert took hold of her wrist
