Looking for the next great romantic comedy for your home library?
The novel follows Hannah, a highly successful event planner whos determined to climb the career ladder.
Women arent doing that as much.
Credit: Courtesy Andie J. Christopher
Theyre not thinking that way, like, I have to be the cool girl to keep the guy.
I wanted to play with how things might have changed since the early 2000s.
Romance embraces the beats of film storytelling.
It is a genre that embraces form in the same way film does, she muses.
The creativity in writing novels is about taking the form and doing something fun and new with it.
Another change from the filmic inspiration?
Christophers heroine is biracial, a reflection of her own identity and a first for her as an author.
This is the first time Im writing a character who really represents me, she says.
Christopher says this shifting tone also influenced the novel.
His instincts told him that she was going to bolt, and he didnt want that.
Or even every six months.
Though he wasnt looking for anything serious, he couldnt help hoping for more than a taco.
Can I have your number?
Why would I give you my number?
There was an unmistakable breathy hitch in her voice.
So, I can use it.
She leaned back, and thats when he knew he was going to get it.
She was just as affected by being close to him as he was by her.
How goods your memory?
Had to be when deadlines were tight and news stories came fast.
She rattled off ten numbers, and he fumbled with his phone to enter them.
Just as he got the last one in the phone app, she stood up.
Thanks for the drink.
He looked over the screen where it looked like she was booking a car.
They were closeclose enough to kiss.
But he wouldnt kiss her without permission.
So, he just waited.
Her breaths were little gasps as she looked up at him.
I told you that I dont date.
Then, whyd you give me your number?
She shrugged, but it was more trying to be cool than actually being cool.
That made her break his gaze.
He was losing her, and he had to get her back.
Although hed been benched for a minute, he was still a world champion suitor.
That had to be why watching her leave right now would physically hurt him.
You feel thisthingbetween us too.
Just admit it, and I wont pester you for a date.
I just have to admit it?
He nodded and gave her his most winning grin.
He wanted to pump his fist in the air.
But he was about to have something infinitely better to do with his hands.
Admit you like me.
And then youre off the hook for a date.
And then she had the audacity to lookbored.
Everything in him froze with the feel of her mouth against his.
The press of her hands against his chest.
His hands hovered over her shoulders, as though repelled by the electromagnetic field ofholy-hell-sweet-baby-Jesus-yessurrounding this kiss.
He didnt react, couldnt.
But when he remembered himself, he pulled her close and took her mouth with his.
And she let him get away with it, softened under his kiss.
He almost broke away from her then; it was simply more than either of them had bargained for.
Shed seemed to freeze up, too.
Knowing hed have to give up on the feeling of her soft mouth under his pained him.
Just as he was about to pull out of the death spiral, she grabbed ahold of him.
Her curves molded to every inch of him.
Damn, she might not date or be down for a one-night stand, but she could kiss.
His arms around her waist, she let a breathy moan loose into his mouth.
It was as though a crack of thunder went off in his body.
The way they kissed, he knew that everything with her would be a battle of wills.
Little whimpers into his mouth sounded like victory.
Still, her gaze was hazy, bewildered.
Looking shocked as though hed stolen her puppy.
It didnt affect him any less.
He kept his smile at bay until hed shut the door and the car had driven away.
