How to Liv by Megan Keith Read Free Book Online Page A

couch with a sigh.
    “So you own your own place then?”
    “Half of it, still trying to get that other half from the bank, you know how it is.”  We both chuckled.
    “Good for you.  I’m still renting a shit-box, but I’m saving the deposit to buy.”
    “That’s the hardest part.”
    “I’ll get there.”  Another lull in the conversation.
    “Oh, by the way, you were right about that pasta sauce,” I said, remembering the delicious dinner I had cooked for Ally and me the previous night.
    “Oh yeah?”
    “I had it last night.  You’ve converted me.”
    “Glad to be of assistance,” he said with an obvious smile in his voice.
    While I was thinking of something else to say I heard some sort of heavy breathing down the phone and a funny sighing sound.
    “What was that?” I asked.
    “That would be Ruby.”  He sighed.
    “Ruby?”
    “She’s my dog.”
    “Oh, for a second there I thought you were going to say wife or significant other or something.”  Yeah, I gave myself a face-palm for that comment, too.
    “Nope.   I’m not hiding a significant anything, I can assure you.”  Joel chuckled.  “No kids either.”
    “Good to know.”
    “Although, I’m sure Ruby thinks she’s my baby.  She’s under the impression that she’s human.  She’s trying to get on the phone right now… I think she wants to talk.”  I heard a sniffing sound then, sure enough she wanted to talk alright.  “Go on… get down Ruby… no… hang on a sec Liv.”
    Liv ?  Why did him calling me that give me such a thrill?  At that moment it struck me that I didn’t think I would even hear from this guy again and now… now he’s shortening my name like we’re old friends?   My heart picked up momentum as that last word echoed in my mind.  I heard some rustling sounds coming from Joel’s end of the line and what sounded like a door closing.
    “Sorry about that.  Ruby’s outside.  Now she can annoy the neighbours.”  She barked loudly then.
    “I don’t think she’s very happy about that!”  I laughed.
    “Apparently not!”   He laughed back.  “So what were you doing when I called?”
    “Actually, I was just dozing on the couch.”
    “Oh shit.  Did I wake you?  You should have said something-”
    “No, no, it’s fine.”  More than fine.  I’m so glad you called.
    “Are you sure?  I can call back another time.”
    “I’m sure.  I wasn’t quite asleep, there just wasn’t much worth watching on TV.”
    “Tell me about it.  I’ve been watching DVDs all week.”
    “Anything good?”
    “Um…” he stalled, “ I think so… but you may not agree.”
    “Oh now I’m intrigued.  Spill.”  I giggled.
    “I’m not sure I want to now.”  He laughed.
    “Well now I’m really intrigued… Oh.  Wait.  Is it porn?”
    “Ha ha ha!  No!”  I waited while he continued to laugh.  God he had a great, deep-sounding, sexy laugh.   “I’ve been watching episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” he said that last bit so softly I wasn’t quite sure if I’d heard him correctly.
    “ Buffy? ”
    “Hey it’s a good show.  Don’t pick on me!”  I could tell he was smiling.  “Everyone picks on me about it.  I’ve got the boxed set.”
    “Me too.”
    “Really?   You’re a fan?”  I could hear the surprise in his voice.
    “Absolutely.   From day one.  I’ve recently been re-watching the whole series from the first episode.  Currently up to series four,” I stated proudly as I yawned in his ear.  “Sorry.”
    “I’ve been doing the same, but you’re ahead of me.  Hey, you could tell me the name of the episode you’re up to so when I catch up to it we can watch some together.”
    “Really?” I asked sceptically.  Was he for real?
    “Well… I mean, if you want.”  I could tell his confidence was wavering.
    “Sure.”  Hell yes!
    “So, you like Buffy.  What else do you like?  What kind of music are you into?”
    “Um… everything?”  I’ve gone