Page 72 of The Romance Library

‘Need any help?’ a shop assistant stocking the shelf opposite me called out.

‘Um, yes. Please. I’m looking for a book by D. D. Desire?’

‘Is it Office Delight?’

‘That’s the one!’ I was relieved she’d remembered the title.

‘Mmm, I’m not sure if we have it if it’s not on the shelf. I could go and check. Might take a while, though. You okay to wait?’

I glanced at my watch. I should really get going. I still had to get lunch and had a long drive ahead of me. If I didn’t set off soon, I’d hit rush hour.

But then I thought about how happy Jessica would be if I gave her the book. When she smiled, it was like watching the Eiffel Tower light up at night. I wanted to do this for her.

‘It’s fine. I’ll wait.’

‘I’ll be back ASAP,’ she said before rushing off.

I glanced around the section. There was a display with ‘TikTok’s Top Romances’ and several different books all laid out neatly. I looked at the covers. They were bright and colourful—just like Jessica.

I’d never heard of any of these authors, but this stand implied that they were popular. Perhaps Jessica would like these too?

What on earth was I doing?

I shouldn’t be thinking about what books she would like.

I strode off towards the thriller section and scanned the selection. A couple of books caught my eye. I turned back to see if the shop assistant had returned, but as she hadn’t, I strolled over to the non-fiction section. My eyes were drawn to a book about taking back control of your life and forging your own path.

Chance would be a fine thing. The look of disgust on Father’s face when I’d suggested that I might not be interested in Penelope said it all. The audacity of me wanting to make my own life choices had horrified him.

I left that book on the shelf, opting for two thrillers that sounded interesting instead. Just as I was about to start flicking through another one, the shop assistant rushed over with a grin spread across her face.

‘Found one!’ She waved the book in the air triumphantly. ‘It’s a limited-edition, signed copy too! It was tucked in a cupboard at the back. I reckon someone was saving it for themselves but forgot.’

‘Fantastic!’ I smiled. Jessica would love this. ‘Thank you.’

‘My pleasure. Anything else I can get you whilst you’re here?’

‘I was looking at the books on that stand, but I have no idea which ones to get.’

‘Is it for you or your girlfriend?’

‘No,’ I said quickly. ‘It’s for my…’ I paused.

Jessica wasn’t my girlfriend. She wasn’t even my friend. If I told the shop assistant that I was buying gifts for someone who was technically my enemy, she’d think I was insane. And she’d be right.

‘Oh, I get it.’ She grinned. ‘You haven’t had the DTR talk yet.’

‘The what?’

‘Define the relationship. I hear you. I’m in a kind of situationship myself. It’s a pain but, y’know. It is what it is. Anyway, if you want to impress her, I’d get the new Lucy Score.’ She held up a book. ‘This one has sprayed edges and gold foil. Oooh, and Christina Lauren’s new one is brilliant too.’

She handed me the books and continued going through her recommendations.

As she talked, I realised that this entire exercise was pointless.

‘Actually, I’m not sure if I should get any of these. She might already have them.’

From what Jessica had told me, Mrs Davis had quite the book collection. Enough to open a romance library, for goodness’ sake, so what was the point of buying her more books?

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