“He said it was an accident. That he went to do a Google search, and that the novel was on the screen.”
“That sounds plausible, don’t you think?” Mary asked.
“But still!” Harper said.
“But still what? Aren’t you overreacting? He didn’t mean to,” Mary said.
“I still want to know why he was red in the face—what did you write that would make him embarrassed?” Dot asked.
“I don’t think he was embarrassed.” Harper’s hands covered her face.
“So, what was it then?” Dot pressed.
“I think he was... aroused.”
“Aroused? What are you writing? You must show us now. What’s the harm?” Mary asked.
“Yeah. Your writing is already cursed, so...” Dot said.
In a quick move, Mary reached for the laptop. Harper held on to it, too. They tussled for a moment, but Mary won. She opened it.
“Password!” Mary demanded.
“Ugh, you guys!” Harper said, but she spun the laptop around and used her finger to open the screen.
Dot came behind Mary and they both started reading. Harper covered her eyes with her hands, feeling extraordinarily uncomfortable, not sure how her friends were going to react.
Mary scrolled down as they read quickly together, and Dot’s eyebrows popped in surprise. Within a couple of pages, it was clear.
“Hot damn, girl!” Mary said. “Youwrotethis! It’s amazing.” She got up to hug Harper from the side. Harper kept her hands over her eyes, filled with embarrassment.
Dot kept scrolling, and then read out loud, “Lit by starlight, the rink shimmered in the clouds, a slick of ice set in the heavens. Gods and Goddesses darted across, their blades sparking trails of fire, frost, and lightning. Every strike of the puck sent shock waves through the skies—and to the young Goddess of Light. She gripped her stick tighter, breathless as the God of Storms cut across her path. They locked eyes, and her pulse stuttered, but she refused to falter. This was not just a game. It was war dressed as sport—and desire disguised as rivalry.”
Dot smacked the counter. “This isincredible!” She was truly impressed. “Holy smokes, Harper.Romantasy! Everyone loves this stuff. It flies off the shelves—just ask Jeanie Jankowski. You’re going to have an instant bestseller!”
Harper opened her fingers to look at them. “You think so?”
“No doubt!” Dot raised her glass, and they clinked glasses. “Look at this.” Then she showed them how on TikTok the romantasy hashtag had a gazillion views. “You hit thejackpot.”
“What I want to know is—who gave you such romantic ideas, huh?” Mary teased her. “No wonder Tommy was red-faced. He was like, wow, my girlfriend is sexy! Wait... is this about you and him on an... ice rink?”
Harper giggled and said, “Maybe.”
“Come on, Harper. Text him. Tell him you forgive him. He didn’t mean to ruin your surprise. He’s the nicest guy. Don’t torture him,” Mary said.
Harper bit her lip and thought about it for a moment. “You’re probably right. I’m just so embarrassed.”
“Then get over it and send him a note.” Mary handed Harper her phone and urged her to start typing.
“I think I’ll take this upstairs.” She grabbed her laptop and the wine and popped one more cookie-dough bite into her mouth before heading to her room. Halfway up the stairs she turned back. “Thanks.... You really like it?”
“It’s hot, Harps. It’s going to be a bestseller! I can feel it,” Dot said, gathering the wine glasses and turning on the hot water to wash them in the sink. “Plus, I’ll do your publicity.”
“And I’ll do your contract,” Mary said. “And remember—you promised I’d be a character in the book. I’m counting on that.”
Feeling inspired, Harper thanked them again and bounded up the stairs, a new pep in her step.
“That goes for you, too, missy.” Mary swatted Dot with a kitchen towel.