Page 11 of Years in the Making

“Ugh.” I try to focus on the words in front of me. “I’m not sure,” I mutter, placing it back on the shelf. “It’s definitely oneI’ll need to consider. And my name isn’t Gavin.” She lets out an adorable huff, and I secretly hope this is a game we get to play for a while.

“What’s your favorite show?” she asks out of the blue.

“The Office.”

“Favorite band?”

“Shinedown.”

“Greatest fear?”

“Heights.”

“Your name?”

I level her with a look and slowly shake my head. Her mouth twists in frustration, and I let my gaze linger there for longer than I should.

“Favorite color?” she continues.

“Blue.” Specifically the color of her eyes, but I keep that to myself.

“Original.” She rolls her eyes. “Food?”

“Cauliflower.”

“Seriously?”

I smirk down at her and shake my head. “What’s your favorite show?”

“You haven’t answered my last question.”

“I will after you answer the ones you asked me.”

“Fine.Downton Abbey.” She looks up at the ceiling in thought, “Favorite band changes, but right now, Of Monsters and Men. I can’t stand blood. I adore green, specifically fresh sage leaf green. And nothing beats fresh-cut french fries from a chip truck with malt vinegar and too much ketchup.”

“Those are very specific answers.”

“Details matter, EG. Now spill.”

“I don’t have one.” I shrug.

“Who doesn’t have a favorite food?” She almost looksoffended.

“Who doesn’t have a favorite all-time band?” I fire back.

“Me.”

“Well, there ya go.”

“Well, are there foods you hate?”

I shrug again. “Not really, but I’m sure there is something out there I haven’t tried yet. My family isn’t exactly adventurous when it comes to food.”

“Hmm.” She reaches for another book in front of me at crotch level, and I jump back like I’m afraid she didn’t see me and then she’ll think I moved there. If she notices me acting like a complete weirdo, she doesn’t acknowledge it. “Read this synopsis and let me know if it interests you.” She hands it to me and walks away. Maybe she did notice.

I did come here to get a book, but my reading comprehension seems to have fucked off because the words are not making sense to me. I read it over three times and then take out my phone to record the title. I’ll read about it online later. Maybe my brain will be cooperating by then. I slide it back into the spot Nellie had pulled it from and follow in the direction she went. She’s in the nonfiction section flipping through a large book about birds.

“My dad’s birthday is next month. Figured I’d get a jump on his gift.”

---