The Way I Loved You ✓

20. Beach Read

Beach Read is a 2020 contemporary romance novel by Emily Henry. In which, January Andrews, a successful romance novel writer reconnect and bond over writer’s block with Augustus Everett, her former rival in college and now an acclaimed literary fiction author. They challenge each other to spend the summer writing a novel in each other’s genres. [Source: Wikipedia]

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FFANC: Nathan knew it was one of her favorite books.

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Chapter Twenty: Beach Read

“Screw Landon,” I muttered under my breath.

“That’s right,” Nathan sat down beside me, “He’s everything that is wrong with this world.”

“He can go to hell,” I said, my anger rising, “With his stupid gelled hair, and his stupid white sneakers, and his stupid khakis.”

“And the way he walks around as if he’s the best,” Nathan added.

“And the fact that he is a trust fund baby and flaunts his money in everyone’s face,” I said, “He can fly to New York to check out Ivy Leagues as if they belonged to his father.”

Nathan nodded in agreement, “His stupid silk shirt and him putting on airs.”

“And his stupid freaking girlfriend that he will take to Prom.” I breathed out.

Nathan stared at me. His gaze was sharp, “So that was what it was about?”

I looked away from him, “What else would it be about?”

“Oh,” he sounded almost disappointed, “I thought you knew we were just cussing him out in general because you have finally gotten over him.”

I swallowed and fiddled with my pen.

“I think… I actually have.”

“Oh. Why the change of heart?” Nathan asked, glancing at me.

“I don't know. Maybe I just liked him because he was around? Like I never really knew who he was as a person.”

Nathan laughed, “Didn’t you say you loved him?”

I huffed. “I- I would have never said that. I didn't mean it. You were teasing me, and I just blurted it out on a whim!”

Nathan rolled his eyes.

“It’s the truth. The look on your face, when I said it, was worth it.” I replied.

“Your love’s so fickle, Kingsley. I thought-”

“It's not.” I gritted my teeth.

Nathan turned silent.

“So anyways. As I was saying, now we can be anti-romantic together.”

Nathan raised his eyebrow. “So you are giving up on all things romance because of Landon McArther.”

“Gosh, no. Not because of him. You don't understand -”

When I looked at Nathan, he was laughing so hard his shoulders were shaking.

“What's so funny?” I narrowed my eyes.

He shook his head, “Nothing.”

“Hrmph,” I looked away from him as Wong walked in.

Our chemistry teacher made us work on our group project. I knew Nathan was not going to make me work all alone, even though he said that yesterday. I was right. We both took our turns solving the problems.