Page 91 of The Romance Library

Having the chance to potentially run my own library was much more than I ever could’ve dreamed of, but I owed it to myself to do my best and prove to people like my ex that I was worthy of doing more. Here’s hoping I didn’t blow it.

After I had my shower, I climbed into bed. I was about to reach for the TV remote when I paused.

I glanced at my bedside table, where Office Delight was laid on top. I still couldn’t believe that Theo had bought it for me. And it was a signed copy. It meant so much.

Snatching it off the table, I held the book to my chest, hugging it like it was a newborn baby. Then I moved it up to my nose and inhaled the fresh book scent I used to love so much.

Memories flooded my head of all the times I’d got lost in a book. Like how I always used to carry one to read on the bus, when I’d smuggle a novel under the till on the shop floor so I could read when there were no customers.

Then there were the warm summer days where I’d take my book to the park during my lunch break and sit on the bench and devour a few chapters.

I used to love reading in the bath. And when I was single I’d always read in bed, telling myself I’d only read one more chapter, knowing full well that I would end up reading several more and stay up way past my bedtime.

God, I missed that.

But I didn’t have to miss it anymore. I had a whole bag of fresh new books and a Kindle packed full of them too. Plus there were the novels Mrs Davis had left for Cecil to pass on to me that I still hadn’t touched.

I could do this.

Holding the book in front of me, I took a deep breath, then flicked through the first few pages to chapter one. Even though I’d got past the halfway mark in this book, I wanted to start it all over again. And so I did.

At first, I set myself a goal to read the first page. Then the first chapter. I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself. But before I knew it, I’d read a quarter of the book.

A few hours later I was halfway through and absolutely hooked. It was one in the morning and I should’ve gone to bed before midnight, but it felt so good to get back into reading again. My heart was so full it could burst. I didn’t want to put the book down. I wanted to sit here all night until I fell asleep or until I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore. Whichever came first. But after fighting the urge to wee for ages, I couldn’t hold out any longer. I had to go to the loo.

When I got back and looked at the chapter I was about to start next, I realised it was the chapter that Theo had started reading to me.

Memories of his velvety voice flooded my brain. Then I thought about our first kiss on the beach under the moonlight, how we’d had sex on the rocking chair, how he’d given me these books and how much I’d wanted to kiss him and do so much more to express my gratitude.

I knew we’d done the right thing by agreeing to keep our distance. But it hadn’t even been twenty-four hours yet since we’d last spoken and I already missed him.

He’d be so happy to know that I’d started reading again. I wished I could tell him. But we’d agreed. No more seeing each other.

I blew out a frustrated breath. Then I had an idea. We’d agreed not to see each other, but we hadn’t said anything about sending messages.

After picking up my phone, I fired up my email and started writing him a message.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Date: Wednesday 14th May, 01.09

Subject: Thanks

Hi!

How was your day?

Thanks again for the books. You don’t know how much it means to me.

Thought you’d like to know that I’ve started reading again and it feels A-MAZING!

Just about to start the chapter that you read in the basement. Won’t be the same without hearing your velvety-smooth voice.

Jess x

I hit send and smiled. Hopefully he’d reply at some point before the presentation, but I couldn’t hold my breath. He was much more experienced at this whole business professionalism thing, and given the pressure he was under from his dad, he might not reply at all.

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