Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 130255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
“I don’t read romance.”
Grandma leant in with a small smile. “Then perhaps you should try it, Max.”
I looked down at the book. She had a point—to understand Ellie’s point of view, perhaps I had to read her book. Get inside her head. See what she meant about the journey being more than the happily ever after.
“All right,” I said, nodding. “I’ll try it.”
“I’ll cut you some flowers for yet another apology, shall I?”
“How do you know I took flowers over for her?”
She hovered in the doorway, smirking at me. “I know everything, Max. You’d do well to remember that.”
Shit.
• • •
I got it.
I understood what she meant. About the journey. About the ending. About the characters being fucking real.
And shit, I was mad.
I didn’t like romance. I avoided romance—in all aspects of my life—so it wasn’t a genre I sought out for reading material. I didn’t watch it on TV either, so this one hit hard.
Ellie was fucking right.
The journey she’d taken her characters on was one of great growth, and although the happy ending was the ultimate goal, it was about what they went through to get there.
Fuck.
I wanted to read another.
“Is that a bloody romance novel?”
I looked up at the familiar voice and grinned. “Fred. You’re here early.”
He dropped onto the sofa opposite me with a grin of his own. “My mother was doing my bloody nut in, so I decided to get the hell out of there before I committed murder.”
I nodded. “I understand that. Who is she trying to set you up with this time?”
He flicked his auburn hair to one side. “Funnily enough, your cousin.”
“Penelope?”
“The one and only. Apparently, she’s just aristocratic enough to be tolerable.”
“Does your mother know she’s not from my paternal side?”
“Yes, but apparently her close affiliation with you is good enough.”
I fought back a smile. “I’m sure Pen will be delighted.”
He snorted. “Not flippin’ likely. I asked her out five years ago, and she told me to fuck off.”
“That sounds more like her.”
“Indeed. So what are you reading there? A romance?” Fred leant forwards and picked up Ellie’s book. “The Rules for Dating an Earl. As heir to an earldom, I can confirm that there are a lot of people who need this. Least of all my ex-fiancée.”
I took it back from him and tossed it down. “My grandmother.”
“Wait, isn’t Ellie your tenant at the lodge right now? The one you went on a date with?”
“That’s her. And it wasn’t a date.”
“And you’re reading her book?” He broke into a half-grin that was quickly followed up by a laugh. “Are you whipped?”
“No, shut up.” I laughed. “Grandma made me read it.”
“So you are whipped.”
“Watch your mouth, young’un. I remember changing your nappies.” Grandma walked over, wiggling a finger in Fred’s direction. “Well? Are you done with it? The book?”
I sighed and patted the top of it. “I am.”
“And?”
Great timing, Fred.
“It was… brilliant,” I admitted. “She’s a phenomenal storyteller, and I have some real grovelling to do the next time I see her.”
Fred chuckled. “You are so whipped.”
Grandma hit him with her book the way she had me earlier. “Oi. I’ve already made one aristocratic little sod read a romance book—you’ll be next if you don’t mind your attitude, Frederick.”
He dipped his yes. “Yes, ma’am.”
I covered my laugh with a cough.
Grandma shot me a look. “I’ll take my book back, thank you.”
I passed it to her.
“Would you like another one?”
“Perhaps some other time,” I said slowly. “Fred’s here.”
“What? And you don’t want to read romance in front of your best friend?” She glanced between us. “Real men read romance.”
“You should put that on a t-shirt, Esme,” Fred said.
“I can’t decide if you’re being honest or irritating.” Grandma sniffed, hugging her books to her chest. “Try not to cause trouble. I go to bed at eight these days.”
“Since when?” I asked.
“Since I stopped being your bloody taxi,” she snapped.
“You were up until midnight with the book club just a few days ago.”
“Stop ratting me out, Max. Don’t you know that snitches get stitches?”
Fred dropped his head, chuckling.
“I’m watching you, too, Frederick. Aren’t you here on business?”
He cleared his throat. “Only with Max. Otherwise, I’m here for a short holiday.”
“Definitely better than Coventry.”
“Grandma,” I grumbled.
“Oh, stop it.” She waved her hand at me and strolled off towards the door. “He knows I’m only kidding. And Max? Don’t take too long before you apologise to Ellie for insulting her in such a terrible manner. I’d recommend more than flowers this time.”
I glared after her as she left, leaving me and Fred to ourselves in the library.
“She likes this Ellie, huh?”
I nodded. “Her favourite author. Bad timing.”
“You like her.”
I shot him a look. “Don’t fucking start.”
He held up his hands. “I didn’t hear a denial.”
“Did Ed show you your room?”
“He did.”
“Good. Then fuck off. I’m out of here.” I got up and walked towards the door, shaking my head.