Not Just Another Romance Novel Read Online Free Page B

spoke.
    “It stands for My Favorite Band. They were being ironic when they decided on their name. So if someone asked, ‘Who are you seeing tonight?’ the other person could respond, ‘My Favorite Band!’ It eventually shortened to MFB.”
    I giggled. It was certainly creative. “Why don’t we all go check them out one night, and you can introduce us?” It might work out better than a random at a bar. If this sex god—uh, I mean ROCK god—knew we had someone in common, he might be more likely to give me a chance.
    Plus, and I wasn’t going to admit this to Austin, Rock Stars were my favorite of all of my book boyfriends. In fact, I’d labeled one in particular my book husband .
    And maybe this guy Austin knew would be my happily ever after.
    A girl could most definitely dream.
    And he was certainly a dream-worthy specimen.
    “They play tonight at ten, so we could go after our meeting with Dr. Prestbury,” Austin said.
    I grinned. “I’m in.”
    “Definitely in,” Shannon said.
    “This experiment is for her,” Austin reminded Shannon, pointing his thumb in my direction.
    Shannon rolled her beautiful blue eyes and did her little hair flip again. “I know, I know. You in, Scotty?”
    He nodded.
    Apparently we had a concert to get ready for so I could meet the next man on my list…after our meeting with Dr. Prestbury.
     
    * * *
     
    I felt his eyes on me, scrutinizing my every move. It was like those television shows where a character visits a psychologist who writes down everything she or he says. Only scarier.
    This man was actually judging everything I said.
    And my future degree depended on it.
    I’d been dreading this meeting because I had no idea whether or not my advisor would approve this topic. And after the debacle the night before, I was debating whether I still even wanted to research this topic.
    “Let’s start with Piper this week,” he’d said after we had all settled into our usual chairs in Dr. Prestbury’s office.
    Great. Yes, let’s start with me. Good plan, Dr P.
    I really needed to take a shot of something strong before these meetings in the future. Or an anxiety pill. I knew he only wanted me to go first because I hadn’t even had a topic the last time we had met.
    My hands shook as I answered. “I’ve chosen my thesis topic.”
    “And?” Dr. Prestbury drew out the word, as if the future of the entire universe depended on my next words.
    “Well, I may need to change it. I started my research last night and I’m not sure if it’s going to pan out.”
    “Unless it’s trite or unresearchable, it’s likely I’ll approve it. Get on with it, Ms. Andrews. What’s your topic?” Dr. Prestbury’s eyes bored into me, while my friends appeared to look anywhere but me.
    “The modern day romance novel leading man creates unrealistic expectations for prolonged adult relationships.” I blushed as I spoke, mostly because I knew what his next question would be.
    “And your research subject?”
    “Me.”
    He chuckled. I wasn’t sure what that meant. Was it a rude chuckle like this is a ridiculous topic to research? Or an amused chuckle like this is a unique topic he’d never heard before?
    Was he laughing AT me or WITH me?
    “Ms. Andrews, I must admit in my seventeen years advising graduate students, I’ve never heard of anything like this.”
    Well that still didn’t give me any hints as to how he really felt about my topic. Austin shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Scott cleared his throat. Shannon flipped her hair behind her shoulder.
    And I sat under Dr. Prestbury’s close inspection, his beady eyes narrowing in on me.
    Nerves bloomed in my belly, so I rambled. “I started researching yesterday, and I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to pull off the studies. I may need to change my topic.”
    He stared at me thoughtfully. “I’ll leave the decision up to you, but I have to admit, I’m curious about the results. I’d love for you to keep this topic, but if you