Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
“Damn straight,” she agrees, dropping some sugar packets beside our drinks before heading back to the counter.
Parker waits until she’s out of earshot to add, “So, yeah, speaking of therapists, I called Avery and asked if you were insane.”
My throat tightens, even though I know I’m not insane. I’m just…flying a little close to the “love at first sight” sun for a guy who used to be positive there was no such thing. “Yeah? And what did she have to say?”
“Well, first off, she made me promise to tell you that this isn’t therapy or professional advice, she’s not your provider, yada yada.” He takes a sip of his drink as he pulls something up on his phone. “But she did say… Hold on, I wrote it down. Okay, according to Avery, ‘Love at first sight is often a projection of one’s ideal partner onto a stranger, driven more by internal fantasies and unmet emotional needs than by knowledge of the other person. It feels intense and real, but is typically based on imagined compatibility rather than actual connection and can vanish as rapidly as it appeared.’ So…” He looks up, his expression serious for once. “Well, if that’s true, then you’re probably coo-coo nutso pants.”
I add sugar to my espresso, letting that sink in for a moment.
But it doesn’t feel true, not even a little bit. Finally, I shrug. “I mean, that makes sense, but I don’t know… This doesn’t feel like fantasy. And before I met Elly, I wasn’t looking for anything serious. My emotional needs were being met just fine.”
Parker nods. “Yeah, that’s what I told Avery. I was like, this guy isn’t some lovesick poet looking for a muse. He’s a guy I’ve known for a long time. He’s steady, chill, and seems to manage fine without a special lady in his life.”
I smile. “Thanks, man. I appreciate that.”
“Anytime,” he says, before adding pointedly, “Except before ten a.m. on a Saturday morning.”
I laugh as I nod. “Got it. So, what did she say to that? Is there a chance I’m not imagining things?”
Parker shrugs. “I mean, honestly, she didn’t seem very optimistic. But you have to remember where she’s coming from. She’s a pricy shrink. She doesn’t encounter a lot of couples who are living happily ever after. People who fall in love at first sight and make it work don’t need therapy that starts at three hundred an hour.” He takes another sip of his cortado before tipping his head to one side. “So maybe we take her opinion with a grain of salt, you two crazy kids keep falling in love, and we just…see what happens.”
I study him for a beat, surprised.
Catching my vibe, he rolls his eyes. “Okay, yeah, fine, I’m secretly a romantic son of a bitch. Don’t we all dream about finding that one person who’s perfect for us? And it’s just easy and right and good? And if you’ve found her, I mean…” He shrugs again. “Even if it’s kind of strange, I’m happy for you. I want good things for you, Graves.”
I nod, sensing Parker and I are going to be closer from here on out. “Thanks, man. I appreciate that. I want the same—”
“Okay, so you really are Grammercy Graves,” a voice blurts from behind me. “I heard him say your last name, so…”
We both turn to see a girl who can’t be older than nineteen rising from a table a few seats over, clutching her purple phone in one hand. She’s peak alternative college kid, complete with oversized band tee from a group that broke up before any of us were born, frayed black shorts, and combat boots.
“Yeah, I am,” I confirm, glancing Parker’s way. “And this is Leo Parker. We both play for the Voodoo. So, if you want a selfie or an autograph, we—”
“Oh, God, no. Gross,” she says with a laugh. Before I can regroup, she adds, “Sorry, but yeah, no, I don’t want an autograph. I just wanted to say that you were cool in that video. The way you handled that drunk fucker without going full toxic masculine was solid. Keep up the good work, man.”
Parker and I exchange glances. Video?
What the hell is she talking about?
Mistaking our confusion for annoyance, she adds, “Sorry to interrupt. I just think it’s important to point it out when men are not behaving badly, you know. Like, positive reinforcement, or whatever.”
I shake my head. “No, you didn’t, I just… What video? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Her eyes go anime-character wide. “Oh, shit, no way! You haven’t seen it? That’s wild. It’s like…everywhere. Just a second. Hold on.” She taps at her phone, grinning like she’s looking forward to being the one to clue me in. “My women’s liberation teacher shared it with our class Slack channel this morning. Like, as a way of keeping our spirits up after— Here it is!”