Book Lovers

“Here lies Nora Stephens, whose taste was often exceptional and occasionally disturbing.”Don’t judge me based on the Christmas novella, I reply. I haven’t read it.Would never judge you on Bigfoot porn, Charlie says. Would entirely judge you for preferring Once in a Lifetime to The Glory of Small Things.The wine has slipped one Jenga piece too many loose from my brain: I write, IT’S NOT A BAD BOOK!“IT’S NOT A BAD BOOK.” —Nora Stephens, Charlie replies. I think I remember seeing that endorsement on the cover.

The bartender returns with our sweating glass bottles then, and Charlie thanks her. For the first time, I see her staggeringly incandescent smile. “Of course,” she says. “If you need anything, just say the word.”As she turns away, Charlie faces me, taking a long sip.“Why do you get a smile?” I demand. “I’m a thirty-percent-minimum tipper.”“Yeah, well, you should try almost marrying her and see if that helps,” he replies, leaving me so stunned I’m back to gawping.“Speaking of sentences with a lot to unpack.”