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“Now, that little witch is hitting on Professor Chare. Trying to break up another relationship. How many is she shooting for in one day?”
She chugged the rest of her drink and pushed the mug away from her.
“And to think, I let myself fall in love with Kenn.” She looked across the table at Alex and Blake. They looked pretty woeful in their own way.
“See? This is what happens when you let someone into your heart in real life. Heartbreak.” She shook her head. “Why did I ever listen to you two?”
She sighed and tried not to let her characters know there were tears welling up in her eyes. “I’m going to get another cup of coffee. I’ll be right back.”
“No, don’t.” Blake jumped up and grabbed the empty cup. “I’ll get it for you. I have to get ours anyway.”
She nodded. But that still meant she was left with Alex. “You should be happy you’re a character in a book. Characters like you are bestowed with a unique privilege. They’re ensured that their romance will end in a happily-ever-after.”
She chastised herself for allowing Alex and Blake to lead her down a romantic path she felt she had no right to travel. “And do you know why you’re endowed with that gift? Do you?”
She wanted Alex to understand just how much forethought and planning went into a novel, in particular the novel in which she was the heroine.
“I’ll tell you why,” she continued, not waiting for an answer. But she was interrupted by Blake’s return with the three mugs of coffee.
“Here you go, JJ.” Blake’s cheerfulness rubbed her dour mood like sandpaper.
“Quit being so bright,” she said. “I didn’t bring my sunglasses. I can’t take it.”
Then she thanked him. “Now, where was I?”
“In the pit of despair?” Blake said as he sat down.
“Ouch, why did you kick me? She obviously is.”
“That, too, but I was telling Alex while you were gone why you characters always find true love.”
“Go ahead, JJ, I want to hear this,” Alex said.
“Because the reader demands it. I spent hours upon hours on your plot, creating a storyboard that spanned the walls of my office. I placed and replaced both of you so you would be in exactly the right place at exactly the right time just so you, Alex”—she shook her finger at her heroine—“and you, Blake”—she wagged her finger at him, as well—“could have a happily-ever-after experience.”
Huge tears streamed down her cheeks. Alex reached across the table and held her hand. No words were uttered for what seemed like a long moment.
“Buck up, Pilgrim.” Blake finally broke the silence. “What makes you think you’re at the end of your love story? In every great romance novel, there’s always that moment of discouragement. Just when you think the hero and heroine are on the way to true love, something happens.” He paused. “But then they always find a way to overcome it to reach their happily-ever-after. Always.”
Blake took a sip of coffee. “And you should know that better than anyone.”
The forceful words stung her. It was the last thing she expected. But evidently, Blake wasn’t done.
“Instead of sitting here feeling sorry for yourself, go fight for Kenn’s love. Isn’t that what every heroine does? Go back to the History Department…”
She quit listening after “go fight for Kenn’s love.”
“Of course. Who the hell does she think she is, anyway? I can’t let her get away with that?”
She jumped from her seat and scanned the café. Then she spotted exactly who she was searching for. She marched up to her and interrupted her conversation with Dr. Chare.
“Hey, you,” she said loudly enough for everyone in the café to stop whatever they had been doing.
“The name is Rain.”
“I don’t care if your name is Snow White, you’ve got to leave my boyfriend alone.” She placed her hands on her hips.
Rain stood up, her eyes narrowed, meeting JJ’s. Energized by caffeine and adrenaline, she took the other woman’s stance as a physical challenge. She realized Rain was about four inches taller than her, but only because of the biker boots she wore. She calculated her chances of winning.
