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Feeling everyone’s eyes on me, I look at the women sitting in the room, spotting a few familiar faces. Mrs. Santiago flashes me a smile as Mrs. Smith leans close to whisper something in her ear. Then, other little details draw my attention. I knew there was a reading space in the back, but I’d never ventured to see it. The space had a cozy feeling, and while the front was more like a café, the back almost seemed like you were in a living room. Floor-to-ceiling shelves lined the walls, one of which had a little sliding ladder attached to it, and there was even a fireplace. Plush couches took up most of the space, with a big coffee table in the middle filled with… wine glasses?
“Are you ladies drinking back here?”
“We’re not drinking,” Mrs. Willow scoffs indignantly. “We’re intellectually elevatingourselves.”
Their earlier discussion pops into my mind.
“By reading…” My throat bobs as I look at the book they’re all holding, only to be greeted by a cover of a shirtless dude.
What the actual loving fuck?
“Romance novels! What else?”
“What else, indeed?” I mutter more to myself, but it doesn’t go unnoticed by others.
Mom’s eyes narrow. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” I say quickly. “I just didn’t expect…” I wave my hand in their direction. “Any of this.”
I just couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that my practical mother was a part of a book club. And not just any book club, but a romance book club where they discussed…
“Us to read romance novels? You can say it, Miguel. They’re called romance novels. You should give them a try, learn a thing or two about how to grovel properly.” She gives me a pointed look before shifting her attention to Rebecca. “Although by the looks of it, maybe you’re not completely hopeless after all.”
Shit.
Seriously, how did I get myself in a situation like this?
“I think I’ll just go. Leave you ladies to your romance novels.”
“No need!” Mrs. Willow gets to her feet, downing the rest of her wine in one go before pulling Mrs. Smith to her feet, which seems to cause a chain reaction. “We were just wrapping up. You ladies did a stellar job. Make sure to send out a newsletter with what we’re reading next.” She wiggles her brows pointedly. “The more spice, the better. Maybe even something kinky. My current bae will appreciate it a lot. C’mon, ladies, let’s go grab a drink. I’m in the mood for something stronger.”
Something kinky?
The woman is in her seventies, for fuck’s sake!
Before either of us can say anything, we’re left alone.
Well, except for Rebecca’s friend.
“What the hell was that?” I ask, still a little dumbfounded by the whole situation.
“I think we scarred him for life.” Savannah smirks, making Rebecca laugh.
“Oh, I think it’ll take more than that to scar him.”
“It’s not funny, Red,” I mutter. “You could have warned me.”
“Oh, itisfunny. And I did. I told you we were having book club.”
“What kind of book club is this? Shouldn’t you read, I don’t know, biographies?”
“If you know a good, steamy biography, I’m sure they’d be game.”
Steamy biography?I shake my head. “You’ll be the death of me.”
“Hey, don’t knock it till you try it.”
“Considering the only books I’m reading are for my class, I’ll have to trust you on your word.”
