Boyfriend by the Book: A feel good romantic comedy Read online

  “That sounds beautiful. I’d love to see the pictures.” I smiled, enjoying the ease of our conversation. “I have a friend in the landscaping business. I mean, that’s what he wants to do someday. Right now, he volunteers for landscaping jobs at nonprofit businesses while he works as a deliveryman.”

  Connor raised his brows at this description. “Sounds like your friend is a long ways from making his dream a reality. You don’t get a start in business by working for a totally separate industry.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” I said, remembering Levi’s plan for his future career. “I think he’s building a really good portfolio with his nonprofit work. It shows off his skills in a way that working for someone else’s landscaping crew probably wouldn’t.”

  “He can probably get some networking done, at least,” said Connor, shrugging. “That could lead to better opportunities than working for free.”

  “I’m not sure that's the reason he's doing it, really,” I said, thinking of Levi’s passion for the work. “He’s really devoted to the work itself. And honing his skills is more important to him than making money with them right now. He wants to keep volunteering no matter what happens with his career.”

  “I guess he might have to, if that's how he views his work,” said Connor, grinning at his joke.

  I didn’t think it was funny, but I knew he had a point. And Connor knew more about this kind of thing than I would. I mean, he was pretty successful—foreign travel, luxury vehicles. I could hardly scoff at his opinions on the subject of financial success, yet I wanted to defend Levi's future plans.

  Connor changed the subject, telling me the merger his firm was helping arrange was right on track. “I don’t see any reason it shouldn’t go exactly the way my client hoped for—maybe even wrap up a little early," he concluded. "Of course, it’s the little hang-ups that can make a deal like this go south, so I never let up until the last contract is signed.”

  It was obvious he enjoyed his work—and enjoyed talking about it as well. A lot of the legal jargon went over my head, but some of it was interesting. He told me about his first courtroom victory and about the time he’d represented a famous pop star against charges of property damage. “She was guilty, of course,” he told me. “I mean, everyone knew it. But I felt kind of sorry for her—the way she had to have attention all the time, even if it was the unflattering kind. Sure, it was property damage, but she deserved some slack.”

  Plenty of celebrities had stayed at the Regent over the years, and I started to tell him a similar anecdote about one of them—minus their identity, of course—when he launched into yet another example of his courtroom career. By the time he finished with that one, it was time for the check.

  It was late by the time we got back to my apartment. Connor put the BMW in park, turning to me with a smile on his face. “I had a great time tonight, Jodi.”

  “I’m glad,” I said. The movie had been dull, but I didn’t want to say that. So I chose to focus on the positive side of the evening. “Dinner was nice. I don’t usually enjoy sushi that much, but I’m glad you suggested it for tonight.”

  “Me too,” he said. He touched my face, his fingers brushing against my cheek. “You look incredible, by the way,” he said, smiling again.

  I tried to smile in return. How often had my younger self pictured this scenario? A few times, I felt sure, but I never dreamed it would come true. Connor stroked my face, staring into my eyes. Then he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine.

  A long, firm kiss that took my breath away. But it didn’t stop there. He pulled me closer, his arm tight around my shoulder as he deepened our contact. His grip a little too insistent for a goodnight kiss. I sensed things were moving too quickly, my hand pushing him back from me after another moment.

  “Wow,” I said, laughing in an attempt to break the tension. “That came out of nowhere.”

  “Sorry about that.” He grinned, that boyish look reappearing as he said, “Guess I was caught up in the moment.”

  I nodded, tucking back a lock of hair. Awkward silence fell, my emotions still rattled from the unexpected moment. Connor apologized again, saying, “That was too fast, wasn’t it? It just feels so right between us, you know?”

  Did it? I certainly wanted it to. Connor was any girl’s dream, handsome and polished, with a sense of adventure about him. And I had thought he was perfect back in college. That was awhile ago, of course, and things had changed for both of us since then. While our reconnection had definitely been good, I wasn't sure I was ready for this stage.

  Connor cleared his throat. “I know they say you should take things slow in a new relationship, but this is different. We’re not total strangers, are we? I mean, I always noticed you, Jodi. Even when we were just trading notes for homework assignments.”

  “You did?” I searched his face, not sure I believed his words. Connor Mills, the campus heartthrob secretly noticed his nerdy, studious classmate? He could have dated the whole cheerleading squad back then if he wanted to! As flattering as it was, something about this didn’t ring quite true for me.

  Connor seemed hurt that I would doubt him. Tenderness melting in the blue eyes that looked into mine. “Of course I noticed you," he said. "You were that quiet beauty who stays in the background because she doesn’t recognize her own potential. But you are beautiful, Jodi. Truly.”

  “That’s sweet,” I told him, softening a little. Maybe I was mistaken about him this time. “Really sweet of you, Connor." I kissed his cheek, gently. "I should go. I have a busy work day tomorrow, and so do you. Goodnight. And thanks for a wonderful evening.”

  “Sure,” he said, but his smile seemed to tighten with the words. I had disappointed him by ending the evening now. “I’ll see you soon?”

  “You will,” I promised.

  ~21~

  “Jodi Nichols?”

  The deliveryman from the florist shop held a bouquet of daisies wrapped in cellophane. No one had ever sent me flowers before. With an excited grin, I took the armful of fresh blossoms. Something told me it wasn’t a thank-you gift from a customer even before I glanced at the message on the tag.

  ‘Had a great time the other night. Can’t wait to see you again —Connor’

  “Hey, someone’s got a fan,” Natalia said, grinning at the sight of the bouquet spilling from my arms.

  "Not this time." I couldn't help the silly grin that crossed my lips for a moment.

  “Who is it?" Natalia's eyes widened. "Secret admirer or boyfriend?”

  “He’s just a friend,” I said, despite the warmth climbing my face. “Someone I went to college with. We’ve been catching up.” I buried my nose in the armful of daisies as a way to cover my confusion. Natalia laughed.

  “Wish I had friends like that,” she teased, admiring the flowers. “Oh, by the way, Mr. Maguire needs a package returned. If Levi comes in, make sure he gets it, huh?”

  I bit my lip. “Sure. I can do that.” Suddenly, the bubble surrounding me and the flowers had burst.

  My time with Levi was making it hard to focus on things with Connor. I had to admit that to myself and decide what to do about it. Right now, I was only a friend to Levi and with Connor there had only been a handful of dates ... but Connor made it sound as if he wanted to be more. He wanted something serious with me, whereas Levi belonged to someone else.

  At the moment, I was grateful for the sight of a customer approaching. Anything to take my mind off the dilemma I faced.

  Connor phoned me later that afternoon. “Were daisies an okay choice? I know roses are more conventional, but somehow, these just seemed like the perfect choice. Fresh and bright. Like your smile.”

  A line that might have sounded cheesy coming from anyone else, but Connor had a way of making it seem charming instead. I played with the flower petals, feeling my smile reappear.

  “Daisies are perfect. They’re one of my favorite flowers, actually.”

  I had decorated my college dorm room in a daisy motif, it
seemed. Not that Connor had ever seen it. He couldn’t possibly have guessed my love for this particular flower, but he seemed to have a sense for these things. His ability to read me was helping to erase the doubts I had about our kiss the other night.

  Maybe he really did know me better than I thought. Maybe there had been something between us all along, more than just wishful thinking on my part as a love struck college student. If Connor truly cared for me all this time, I would be a fool not to consider giving him a chance. Things wouldn't be moving too fast, but right on track for two people who had so much in common and a shared past, too.

  “What are you doing Monday night?” he asked. “I have to attend a business dinner for the merger I’m working on. It would be a lot more special if you could come as my date.”

  “I think I could do that,” I answered.

  He was making it very clear how he felt about our relationship. I shouldn’t let my hesitation get in the way of something that might be really promising. As I hung up, I felt a new optimism about things with Connor, the bouquet of daisies brightening my apartment already.

  ~22~

  The business dinner for Connor’s client was being hosted in a private dining room at a five-star restaurant known as the Glass House. It had a beautiful view of the city’s skyline through its large glass windows, but the building’s interior was sparse and very modern. Connor and I were seated at a table with Roger, a CEO for the local company involved in the merger, and his date, a businesswoman named Veronica who was some sort of supplier to the firm.

  Veronica was about my age, with pouty lips, flawless skin, and glossy brown ringlets piled on top of her head. Roger was silver-haired and a little too tan, his suit an unflattering shade of fuchsia that seemed a strangely tacky choice for a wealthy businessman.

  The waiter took our orders—grilled chicken for me and steak with shrimp for everyone else. Connor ordered a bottle of Merlot, our dinner companions expressing their admiration for his taste in wine. “I had a wonderful vintage Merlot at a winery in Venice last year,” Roger told him. “Have you been to Italy? I know you’re a seasoned traveler,” he added, making me wonder if Connor had treated him to the same stories about snorkeling and visiting Japanese gardens.

  “I haven’t been there yet,” Connor admitted. “Maybe that’s where I’ll go next summer. That or Paris—everyone has to see Paris at least once, right?”

  “Paris is perfect,” Veronica spoke up, in a breathy voice. “You really, really have to see it. I go there twice a year, so I can tell you all the best spots no one ever talks about in the travel guides.”

  “I’ll have to consult you before I go, then.”

  “You’d better,” she said, giving his arm a playful swat. Her hand lingering on his sleeve a tad longer than necessary, I thought. Or maybe I imagined it because of how much attention she was giving him. Laughing at his jokes a little too enthusiastically, her manicured nails brushing his arm every time she spoke to him. It made it hard not to think she was making a play for him somehow, even though she was with Roger this evening.

  The first course arrived, the topic changing to business matters for Connor and Roger. Turning towards me with a saccharine smile, Veronica wondered, “So what do you do, Jodi?”

  I told her about my job as a concierge at the Regent. “And, um, is that where Connor met you?” She wore an amused look for this question.

  “We were friends in college,” I explained, confused at her reaction.

  “Well that makes more sense doesn’t it?” she said, laughing. I bristled slightly at the sound. Did she think I wasn’t good enough to be his date? A lowly hotel worker amid a roomful of business executives and hotshot attorneys? That was certainly the attitude she seemed to have.

  “Connor is a brilliant lawyer,” she told me. “Having seen him in action these past weeks, I won’t be surprised if he makes partner at his firm soon— or starts one of his own even. But you must know that already,” she added, with another too-sweet smile. “Being old friends and all. Or were you more than that?”

  I shook my head, trying not to show how offended I was by any of this. What business was it of hers? She didn’t like me, that was clear enough. And Connor was too busy talking shop to notice, the occasional smile in my direction the only communication we had as the evening dragged on in boredom.

  I didn’t want to ruin Connor’s big night, so I kept a smile pasted on my face. It seemed to go on forever, though, with four courses and no end in sight. Even Veronica seemed to grow bored, taking out her cell phone for awhile and texting someone else. It was bright pink, with tiny gold stars printed on the outside. Wasn’t that a little cutesy for a businesswoman? I tamped down the catty thought, along with my suspicions about her interest in Connor. Now I was just being petty because her comments had annoyed me earlier.

  Of course she noticed him—who wouldn’t? He was charming, handsome, and successful. Any woman would love to be sitting next to him right now. Something I had to remind myself of more than once as we worked our way through a parade of gourmet food and boring conversation.

  Connor seemed to notice I wasn’t having the best time, squeezing my hand under the table as he whispered, “Feeling okay?”

  “Fine,” I whispered back. It wasn’t his fault this kind of event wasn’t my cup of tea. Or that our dining companions were less-than-thrilled with his choice of date. My spirits lifted as the server bore dessert to our table, a flaming baked Alaska. I dug into my piece with more enthusiasm, since it meant the evening was close to wrapping up.

  And it was—about an hour later when we finally escaped for good. Connor had to stop in the lobby and chat with various other guests, shaking hands and making light conversation. I tried not to look uncomfortable, despite being mostly ignored by the people he introduced me to.

  They were interested in talking with Connor, not his date. My little black dress and wrap seemed dowdy compared to the other women’s bodycon gowns and stiletto heels. They probably wondered how someone so ordinary got paired with such an attractive man.

  I was starting to wonder it, too. Not because it felt too good to be true. It just felt…off somehow. Too much of a fantasy to be real. But it was only my imagination, probably, that harbored this idea. After all, Connor liked me, otherwise he wouldn't have asked me to such an important dinner. Or, for that matter, have asked me to spend time with him these past few days at all.

  Connor finally got us to the door. Cool night air surrounded us out on the sidewalk as Connor checked his watch beneath the glow of the street lamp. “Looks like I won’t be getting you home by midnight after all,” he quipped. “Sorry that took so long. Business is like a slow dance sometimes, and this merger was definitely that kind of business.”

  “It was,” I agreed, somewhat wryly. Connor’s phone buzzed. Checking it, he made a face. “Rats, Jodi. I totally forgot. I have a phone conference with my boss at two a.m. A quick check-in to let him know how the dinner went.” He paused. “I can still drive you home of course—”

  I shook my head. “I’ll take a cab. It’s late, like you said, and my place is all the way across town from yours.”

  Connor shrugged. “What’s thirty extra minutes? Besides, I cherish that extra time together. Especially since we didn’t get much time alone tonight.”

  “I know,” I said. “And I appreciate the offer, but I think it’s better if I take a cab.”

  My thoughts were clouded on our relationship after such a long and uncomfortable evening, and I wanted time to shift my focus back to the positive aspects before spending more time with Connor. He frowned, sensing I wasn’t giving up on this idea of going home by myself. “I really don’t mind driving you, Jodi. But if you’d really rather take a cab—”

  “I would, thanks.” I kissed his cheek. "It's fine."

  He sighed. “All right. I’ll hail it for you.” He flagged down the next approaching taxi. Then he pulled me close for a moment, telling me, “We’ll have dinner later t
his week. Somewhere just the two of us.”

  “Sure,” I said, melting slightly at the warm embrace. "Sounds good."

  He really did seem like a dream come true at times, a perfect match, the Romeo my friends had always told me I needed. Now I just had to decide if this was my dream come true or someone else’s. Like Jodi of geeky study group and Connor crush, instead of grown-up Jodi whose feelings were a little more complicated these days.

  ~23~

  I was putting the finishing touches on my mascara, when Connor’s text arrived. Last minute business meeting has come up. So sorry. Tomorrow night instead?

  I frowned wishing it hadn’t been such late notice. Perhaps his bosses needed some reassurance about the merger’s final details. Trying not to sigh, I texted back, See you tomorrow. Turning off the phone, I stared at myself in the mirror. The phrase ‘all dressed up with no place to go’ never seemed more appropriate. I was about to unzip the cocktail dress I was wearing, when the doorbell rang.

  It was Levi, carrying a potted orchid like the one I had bought for my client. At the sight of me, his eyes widened. They held a look that was somewhere between an apology for intruding and admiration for my appearance. “Hey,” he said. “You’re probably busy. I wanted to drop this plant by. I won’t keep you though—”

  “No, it’s all right,” I told him, pulling the door open wider. “My plans for tonight just got canceled. Will you come in?”

  He hesitated, looking torn. After a moment, he stepped inside. “This is a sort of thank-you gift,” he said, holding out the orchid, its violet-colored petals glowing in the evening light. “Something to show my appreciation for the way you pitched in our last project.”