By Any Other Name

by Lauren Kate

I opened the book and started reading, and a funny thing happened: I couldn’t put it down.

If you need someone to spill a big glass of water as soon as you sit down at an important agent lunch, I’m your gal.

From all the D.C. cocktail parties he’s dragged me to, Ryan has observed that I am either exceptionally articulate … or a total bumbling disaster. He says that I’m a land of extremes, just coasts, no middle ground.

“You can say penis to your grandmother, Lanie.” “Oh jeez. Fine. Penis.” “Manhood,” BD says. “Dick.” I put my head on the table. She runs her nails along my shoulder like she did when I was little, and it helps.

“That no one person can fulfill every single one of another person’s needs. Which is why book clubs and grandmothers exist.

You are going to rise to this occasion like a Tinder date with a pocket full of Viagra.”

“BD!” I groan. “I’m going to have to work so hard to erase that mental image.” “I’m sorry, doll, but I couldn’t resist.”

“This is Javier Bardem,” Noah says, looking at the bunny. “He used to be my mother’s.” “Your mom sounds like she has good taste in men.”

“Scared for you that you think that’s an intimidation tactic. You look like an Angry Bird.” “Fine, but I am a better chess player in person. The game of kings needs human beings.”

“The scene is who I want us to be,” he tells me. “The whole book is who I want us to be.”