Page 15 of Fangirl

My best friend in the same building? A dream.

“I didn’t ignore you,” I mumble, stabbing at my asparagus risotto. “You were on your honeymoon, Maya. And this is nothing. We’re just friends. I didn’t join any dating websites.”

She shrugs, setting my phone down.

“A pity. Online dating is the solution.”

She takes another bite, eyes flicking back to my phone.

I shift in my seat, suddenly self-conscious.

How much had I actually talked to Eli this past week?

Maya snorts, shaking her head.

“God, you two are a geeky match made in heaven.”

I hesitate.

That much?

She finally looks up, pushes my phone back toward me,and, without a word, goes back to eating.

I stare at her. “So?” I demand.

She keeps chewing, torturing me on purpose.

“So?” I press again.

She finally swallows, sets her sandwich down, and tilts her head like she’s solving a case.

“I think you should hop on the first plane to LA and jump his geeky bones.”

I choke on my water. “Maya!”

She smirks. “That man is everything you, my beautiful weirdo, dream of.”

I groan, rubbing my temples. “Be serious.”

“I am!” She jabs a sharp red nail toward my screen. “That man listened to you rant about stupid Anlon for much longer than any sane person would have. I swear, I regret the day I took you to that writing class to meet that author.”

I scoff, but my heart warms at the memory.

Maya had always been supportive of my writing dream. During my first year of uni, she bought me a masterclass hosted by the then-unknown Melinda James, author of books one and two ofThe Chronicles of Persefia.

Eleven years and ten books later, I’m just as obsessed as I was on day one.

I shrug, stirring my risotto.

“You know you don’t really.The Chronicles of Persefiamake me happy.”

“Do you know what else would make you happy?”

She leans in, her brown eyes sparkling.

I sigh.

“Let me guess—something to do with Eli’s appendage.”