“Yeah.”
“So change things up a bit. I respect that you want to play by her rules, especially since her brother’s practically family to me. But maybe stretch the boundaries a little. If she’s determined to end things, then so be it. But you don’t have much time left before summer ends. Time to shit or get off the pot.”
“Valid point.”
Change things up. Stretch the boundaries a little. I repeat his advice in my head. Not bad ideas actually, for a SEAL.
“So does Freya have any new tropes that might help me?” I can’t resist asking. “And don’t tell me to enter a baking contest again. ’Cause if I sound like I lost my balls already, that might get my man-card permanently revoked.”
He chuckles. “I’ve got a houseful of romance tropes over here. Let’s see... There’s the classic love triangle. Got any ex-girlfriends who might pay you a visit so Millie can get jealous? Or maybe you can get yourself snowed in somewhere with her.”
“You do realize it’s summer, don’t you? And do Freya’s characters actuallydocrap like that? Because it sounds manipulative as hell.” I frown. I hate manipulative people. They remind me too much of my parents.
“Well, they don’t do it on purpose. It just kind of happens. Or—oh, wait! You’re not secretly a billionaire, by chance?” he snorts, knowing the answer.
“Of course,” I reply with a smirk in my voice. “I only drive a Jeep because my Bugatti is in the shop.”
“Perfect. Because secret billionaire romances are always a huge hit according to Freya.”
“You know, you’re entertaining as hell, but not very helpful.”
“I try my best. Oh—and hey, avoid any Moment Killers.”
“Moment Killers?”
“Yeah. Like when you’re having a romantic picnic and then a tornado suddenly comes tearing toward you, destroying the mood.”
I cringe. “Please don’t tell me that actually happened in one of Freya’s books.”
“Nah. That was my own idea.” He almost sounds proud as he says it.
I groan. “Do yourself a favor. Don’t quit your day job for writing.”