Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

Reuben

R euben really felt like he was approaching the finish line of sealing this deal. All that remained, really, was to ensure that Amber felt it was fair.

“Do you have any concerns about this arrangement? I could, of course, compensate you for your time. You’re a writer. You must be busy with your own book signings and meet and greets on top of also writing a second book. I also realize this is a huge favor to ask of someone I’ve just met.”

Reuben tilted his head back as he covered his eyes with one hand. Even he knew how crazy he sounded, begging for Amber to save him. A woman he met only 24 hours ago. “For heaven’s sake, I must sound like a nut case.”

“I wouldn't be paying you for the information,” Amber insisted, “so I don't want you to pay me, either. I’m not an escort…but I think I’d be fine spending time with you. I let you take me to a quiet and deserted cafe on our first night of meeting, didn’t I? For our situation, that might almost be considered a one night stand.” Amber snickered, hiding her face behind her hand a little as she did so. Mostly to hide the growing blush in her face. “And how better to learn how to write a cheesy, romantic romcom-style novel than living one?”

“A one-night stand, huh? I hope it was as good for you as it was for me. Although, I hope this ends up being more than that. We could have so much more fun back at my house... with my own private library,” Reuben shamelessly flirted with a quick wink. Now that the deal was practically done, he might as well start practicing.

Amber flushed more desperately at the flirting, but did take a few seconds to gather any remaining concerns she might have before answering Reuben’s real question. “I don’t have any big concerns. But...I’ve never done a public signing. I...kind of use a pen name, remember? And try not to connect this me with that me in public, you know? Maybe someday, but I...”

She paused, struggling to come up with a phrase that didn’t make her sound like the absolute antisocial hermit that she was. “You already know I am afraid of the public life you lead. So maybe this will be good for me. Spending a little time in the light while not having it right on me, I mean. I think I sound like the bigger nutcase, here.” Amber awkwardly rubbed the back of her head.

This caught Reuben off guard and made him more curious about what kind of books Amber published. Were they too embarrassing to link to her real face? Or…were they so poorly received that she didn’t have any fans to do signings for?

“Don’t be too hard on yourself. I don’t blame you for wanting to hide your true identity. People can be vicious animals when they want something. As much as you’ve made me curious, I won’t connect you with, or ask you to tell me, your pen name in any way, if that is what you wish.”

The kind words relaxed Amber somewhat. She still had one important question, though. “I appreciate that. I also have to ask, do you mind if I end up using some of our experiences in the novel? I know that sometimes people get uncomfortable with that, so I try my best not to use real-life experiences in my writing. But I think in this case, some of them might end up woven in."

She paused for a moment, searching Reuben's face. "I can let you read the manuscript before I send it to Gabriella, if you’d like. Kind of like an alpha reader, so you can ask for anything you want to be removed.”

Reuben thought about the writer’s question for a moment. If she wanted to use their experiences, was she actually writing a romance novel? She hadn’t told him what genre she wrote, he realized, and the idea of being in one of his romance novels brought a smile to his face.

Sure, their dates and experiences could be used, if that were the case. But then he thought about all the political details that could be used against him. “I just realized that I didn’t actually ask what kind of book you’re writing. I’m guessing it’s a romance, from that question?”

“Oh, yes! Sorry, I didn’t realize I hadn’t told you. It’s a vampire and human romance story, though I have no idea where it’s going yet.”

So he was right! Since she was a romance author, had he perhaps read her work and didn’t know it? That would be funny. Maybe someday he would find out.

For now, he replied, “I don’t see why you couldn’t use our experiences together. However, I wish to keep the details of my job a secret. There aren’t many vampires with positions like mine and the trail would eventually lead back to me."

It was risky, he supposed, but Reuben smiled and nodded while saying, "Can we agree to keep my name and specifics of my job out of it?” The fact that Amber was willing to let him read the manuscript was promising, and would provide a great way to see what kind of writer his fake girlfriend really was. What with her pen name being off limits, and all.

“And of course I would love to read it. I appreciate you giving me permission to remove things that I don’t feel comfortable with. As long as it’s not made up tabloid nonsense about vampires and you write about true experiences, good or bad, I don’t think I will have a problem with it. This will be a good way to give humans and vampires a look into what an actual friendship would be like between our species.”

“OH,” Amber sputtered, “the vampire in the book would have a different occupation and lifestyle than yourself. I figured that some of our dates and things might end up as details in the plot line, that’s all.”

“Just dates and scenarios? I don’t think we’ll have an issue, then.” If Amber thought some of their interactions were interesting enough to sell to the public, then she could write as much as she pleased. It would be interesting to see the human side of an interspecies relationship, too. It might help him in the future.

The clock on the wall began to chime 10pm and Amber looked at her watch with a gasp. “I’m so sorry, I’ve kept you out so late! I hope you don’t have anywhere to be early in the morning? I tend to be a night owl, but I realize not everyone keeps a writer’s schedule. Maybe...we could plan a second real date sometime soon? Even though we’re pretending...I had a fun evening. And I’d love to see you again.” Amber’s face began burning at her overly honest and forward admission.

Reuben was surprised how fast time flew by when he was spending time with Amber. It was…easy. He waved his hand with a smile, unbothered. “Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m a night owl as well. Long periods of sunlight exposure isn’t healthy for my skin.”

He finished the last of his tea, long since cold, and pulled a crisp twenty dollar bill from his wallet. The barista may not have been as welcoming toward his kind as Amber, but she hadn’t thrown him out or attempted to poison him either time he’d visited. He appreciated that amount of kindness, at least, and set the bill on the table.

“I would love a second date,” Reuben said after standing and pushing in his chair. “I thought tonight was going to be a train wreck like yesterday, but you have been the highlight of my month. You are an absolute delight.” He gave a huge smile and held out his hand for a handshake out of habit. It would have been awkward if he took his hand back now…but he also wasn’t ready for a goodbye hug, either. He needed to work on the mental side of this whole thing before he was ready for such an affectionate gesture.

“I do my best to be a positive experience when I do interact with others,” Amber replied and grabbed her coat from the back of the chair. The extended hand put a look of surprise on her face, but Amber took it and gave two solid pumps, the standard and non-awkward handshake. Moderately firm grip, not too long or short...Reuben could see in her eyes that she thought way too much about such things.

Reuben glanced at his car through the window, then to Amber. “I would offer to give you a ride home, but I feel it would be easier to keep your address a secret if I just make sure you get on the bus safely. It feels weird, but under the circumstances…” It felt wrong leaving Amber to fend for herself entirely, and he wanted to ensure she made it home safely. Grown woman or not.

“Hm? Oh, uh, yes. That would probably be the best idea. I wouldn’t want to bother you with driving me home, anyway. Though with the riots going on lately, I have avoided going out at night when I don’t have to. So waiting with you would be great. Also I’m rambling again, I apologize.”

There it was again, that awkwardness that he’d already figured out marked her nervousness. Reuben couldn’t help being amused by it as she slid her coat over her arms and buttoned it for warmth.

When she was ready, Amber looked up and gave Reuben a wink. “I had a good time, too. It was nice spending time with an attractive man such as yourself two nights in a row.”

Reuben grinned at the cheeky compliment. He was about to come back with a witty remark when Amber leaned against a chair in what was intended to be a ‘cool’ pose, only to misjudge how much weight the chair would handle at that angle and have it begin to tip over. She stumbled and Reuben’s lightning fast reflexes shot his hand out. His fingers wrapped around Amber’s bicep, ready to hold her up if he had to.

Amber, however, managed to catch herself after a minorly dramatic stumble. “Well, that was close,” she laughed, more out of embarrassment than actual amusement. “I almost fell for you already, there.”

“Oh, um. I’m sorry. Are you-” Reuben mumbled, fearing the invasion of personal space wasn’t permitted. However, the cheesy pickup line caused him to laugh. “Smooth, Amber. I’ll have to dust off my pickup lines.”

Reuben waited with Amber for the bus to arrive and watched it pull away before slipping into his own car. Wow. That did go a lot better than I expected, he thought as he sat in the parking lot, until his phone vibrated.

Amber

I’m glad that not-a-bat Reuben didn’t ‘lose’ my number the moment we parted yesterday. I look forward to our next ‘date.’