Rating the Book Boyfriend (Book Boyfriend Builders)

14. Libby

CHAPTER 14

Libby

I leave my coffee date with Lucinda Farina in a tailspin. I’m confused… and angry as hell. Somehow, I managed to hold my temper and not tell her where to stick her pretentious coffee. Barely. And only because it would be unprofessional.

After texting my BBB cofounders that I’d like a meeting, I drive home and quickly change into lounge clothes before logging onto my computer. One by one, my friends pop onto the screen.

“My client is a complete jackass,” I snap without preamble, earning me shocked looks from the other three.

“Riggs?” JoJo asks. “Because that’s surprising. He seemed so?—”

“Not Riggs. He’s…” Sweet? Kindhearted? Perfect? “Riggs isn’t the problem. It’s his girlfriend and her vague and unrealistic expectations.”

Ava’s eyes widen. “Ruh-roh. What happened?”

I begin a rambling account of my meeting with Lucinda. “First of all, I arrived right on time, and she was on the phone with her mother. She glanced at me and waved an imperious hand at the other chair like she was the queen granting a peon an audience. Then she stayed on the phone for fifteen minutes . And they weren’t even talking about anything important. Just stuff like which clothes they’re bringing on their Italy trip next year and gossip about some woman that goes to the same country club as them.”

“Fucking rude,” Gemma comments, a sneer lifting one corner of her perfectly painted lips.

“Yes!” I practically shout, jabbing my finger toward her on the screen. “So fucking rude. Anyway, when she finally decides to grace me with her attention, I get down to business and ask her why she enrolled Riggs in Book Boyfriend Builders.”

“What did she say?” JoJo asks, leaning her chin onto one palm.

“She gave me the whole I want him to be swoonier bullshit, and I told her I was going to need something more specific. So then… THEN! She proceeds to call someone named Liz to get her opinion, and they low-key bash on Riggs for about ten minutes. They finally decide that he should buy her more expensive stuff and take her on more trips.”

My voice begins to rise as I really get fired up. “Oh, and she wants him to get rid of his dog, which is completely ridiculous because he’s the sweetest. Okay, Ace does like to chew on shoes, but other than that, he’s very well-behaved.”

“Wow,” Gemma says.

“Yeah, that’s about all I’ve got too,” Ava chimes in. “She really said she wants him to get rid of his pet?”

I nod, and JoJo’s jaw tightens. “That’s ridiculous, and materialistic shit is not what being a good boyfriend is all about. As far as gifts go, it’s more about the thoughtfulness, not the monetary value.”

“Speaking of that, she showed off the diamond earrings he bought her, and holy fuck, y’all! They were huge and had to be worth thousands.”

“The ones he brought her as a souvenir?” Ava asks, scrunching up her nose.

“Yup. Oh, and after she got off the phone with that Liz person, she got all smug and told me Liz was totally jelly of her because Liz wanted to sign her boyfriend up for the BBB, but couldn’t because we don’t have anyone in Chicago.”

All my friends look disgusted as I continue. “I honestly think she just signed up Riggs to stick it to her… friend or whatever.” I roll my eyes so hard they hurt. “So meanwhile, I’m still trying to do my job, and I ask her about the anniversary trip. You know, since she said she wanted to travel more.”

“What anniversary trip?” Ava asks.

“Oh, he booked a surprise trip to goddamn Switzerland for their first anniversary, but he told me she couldn’t go because she already had plans. So I ask her about it, and do you want to know what those very important plans were?”

My friends nod in eager agreement, and I announce with much hand-flailing fanfare, “She was going clubbing with her friends.”

They all stare back at me in stunned silence.

“Anyway, I wanted to talk to y’all about it, but I really think we need to drop this client. What Lucinda Farina wants is the exact opposite of what the BBB is about.” It makes me sad to say that because it means I won’t get to see Riggs anymore.

“I agree,” Gemma says, nodding thoughtfully. “I don’t think we should offer a refund on what’s already been paid because you’ve put in the time working on this account. But we should definitely stop the billing going forward.”

The others agree, and we decide I’ll draft a message that our business dealings are now concluded.

“How is the move going?” Ava asks as we’re wrapping up.

“Great. I got the walls in the living room painted this week.” I move my head out of the way so they can see the fresh sky blue on my walls.

“That picture is beautiful,” JoJo remarks, pointing at the chair behind me, and I smile.

“Riggs gave it to me, along with some others he took.” Rising, I gather the pictures and hold them up one by one for the girls to admire. “I was going to hang them up later today.”

“Those are phenomenal,” Gemma breathes. “He could sell them.”

“I agree,” I call over my shoulder as I prop the pics against the chair again. My attention is drawn by a knock on the door. “Hold on a sec. That’s probably my Amazon order.”

Walking swiftly to the door, I swing it open and do not find a brown-clad delivery driver. No, I find a suit-clad Riggs Romero. And dear, sweet baby Jesus, the man can wear the fucking hell out of a suit.

I haven’t seen him in person in over a week, though we text almost every day. Nothing serious, just funny memes and jokes to make the other laugh, and he occasionally calls to ask a book-boyfriend question that I’m pretty sure he already knows the answer to.

Christ, I’ve missed his face. And that’s not good. Not good at all.

“R-riggs, hi,” I practically gush as I rein in my urge to grab him by his red tie and yank him into my house. “Come in.”

He blesses my soul with one of those radiant smiles. “I can just stay for a second because I’m on lunch break. I wanted to bring you this.”

Closing the door behind him, I take the proffered bag and look inside. Flip-flops… the exact same color as the ones Ace had gnawed to shreds.

“I told you not to worry about it,” I protest.

“I know, but I felt bad.” His teeth sink into his bottom lip, giving him a shy appearance. “There’s something else in the bag too.”

I dig around until my fingers wrap around something small and cool, and I pull it out. A magnet sparkles from my palm, a glittery sunset with Port Saint Joe beneath it.

“I didn’t know if you’d gotten one since you arrived.” His cheeks pinken in the most adorable flush. “They had several, but this one had lots of yellow, and I know that’s your favorite.”

“I love it.” I run my finger over the sparkly plastic. There is indeed a lot of yellow. Why the hell are my eyes feeling extremely watery right now? “This is the most thoughtful gift I’ve gotten in a long time, Riggs. Thank you.”

His grin is wide and happy. “Good, I’m glad you like it.” He squeezes my shoulder, and that big hand of his gives me thoughts I most definitely shouldn’t be having. “When are we meeting again?”

Fuck . My mind scrambles for a way to tell him that he can’t be my client anymore. Faking a smile, I put on my chirpiest voice. “I have great news for you, Mr. Romero.”

“What’s that, Ms. Hill?”

Why does he have to sound so decadent when saying my name?

“You’ve, um, graduated from Book Boyfriend University. With honors!” God that sounds so fakely cheerful. To add to my awkwardness, I shake both fists in the air in a YAY gesture.

A frown creases his brow. “What does that mean?”

“It means I’ve assessed everything we’ve done and determined we’re all done with the book-boyfriend training.”

Cupping a hand around the back of his neck and massaging, he appears to be upset. “So you’re saying I’m hopeless.”

“Not at all,” I say quickly. “I’m saying you are officially a book boyfriend and don’t need my help anymore.” You’re perfect…

“So we don’t get to… we can’t…” The lines between his eyebrows turn into deep ditches as he pulls his eyes to the side and spots the pictures, hammer, and nails on the chair. “I can come help you hang the pictures later,” he says suddenly.

“Oh.” I blink rapidly, unsure what to say.

“I have one of those laser levels that will make sure everything is hung properly.”

Against my better judgment, I acquiesce. “Okay, that would be great.”

Riggs visibly relaxes. “Okay, good. I’ll call you. Maybe this weekend after Thanksgiving?”

“Sure.” The thought of seeing him one last time is bittersweet.

“Do you have plans for Thanksgiving? I know you’re new in town.”

“Yeah, my friend Sonya invited me to her family’s celebration.”

“That’s good. I’m glad you have someone.” His right hand twitches and then balls into a fist at his side, like he’s trying to keep from touching me. “Do you think we can still be friends, Libby?”

I’m touched but also a bit apprehensive. This does not seem like a good idea, given my crush on this man who’s in a relationship with someone else. “I’d like that,” I say anyway, and he smiles down at me, mischief draping over his gorgeous lips.

“Good, maybe we can go fishing again. I’ll call you next time I feel the need to be spanked.”

I prop one hand on my hip and point to the door with the other, my face a mock scowl. “Out. I’m not having this conversation with you, Romero.”

He laughs, a long and deep sound that rumbles directly into my bones. “I won’t bring it up again.” Then he shocks the crap out of me by pulling me into a hug. “Thanks for everything you’ve done for me, Liberty.”

He smells like the ocean, even in his tailored suit, and I inhale as I return his hug. “You’re welcome.” My voice is thick with emotion as he releases me and heads for the door.

Once he’s gone, I stare at the spot where he disappeared until I hear a throat clear behind me. Shit, my friends are still on my computer screen.

I paste on my most innocent smile and sit back down at my small table. Three sets of wide eyes stare back at me.

“Was that your Amazon order?” Gemma asks, her eyebrows almost disappearing into her hairline. “Because those bastards never show me anything like that in the suggestions.”

Letting loose with my loud, goofy laugh, I shake my head. “No, his dog chewed my flip-flops, so he insisted on replacing them.”

JoJo leans forward until all we can see is her face. “Gemma, Ava, did you see what I just saw?”

“See it?” Ava asks, fanning herself with one hand. “I could practically smell the pheromones through the computer.”

“You know how we always write about electricity snapping in the air between our couples?” Gemma points at me through the screen. “ That just happened in real life.”

“Y’all are crazy,” I scoff, staring at the corner of the screen so I don’t have to look them in the eyes. Because I feel that electric sensation every time I’m with Riggs Romero.