Page 119 of Bookworm

"What do you mean?"

I gave a shrug. "When you've been mistreated, especially if it's by someone you love, it'snot always easy to trust again."

Bo studied my face. "Sounds like you know something about that."

I cleared my throat. "Nah, just guessing."

After a beat, he said, "See, this is why I hate people."

I looked up into his eyes, and his lips hitched up.

"Well, most people."

He means you, my heart whispered. He doesn't hate you, and you don't hate him, and you should both go off into the sunset and hold hands,make out, and not-hate each other until the end of time.

Sounded good to me.

But I knew that wasn't how this story would end.

"I'm reading one of the books you recommended," Bo said.

My eyes widened. "You are?"

"Yeah, about half-way throughThe Kiss Quotient."

"And?"

"You were right." His eyes danced with mirth. "There's a lot ofheat."

I shrugged, trying to fend off my blush. "If you don't like it, you can always switch to a different book."

"Didn't say that," he said. "I'mliking it."

"Really?"

Bo crossed his arms. "You sound surprised."

I was.

The fact that Bo was reading a romance I'd recommended and enjoying it? As Jane Austen would say, I was all astonishment.

"You're not just pretending to like it for my sake, right, Flower Boy?"

"I read what I want, Kent. This has nothing to do with you."

Okay then.

For some reason that brought me down a little, but I tried not to let it show.

"Although," he added, "I wouldn't have even cracked the cover if it wasn't for you. So, I guess there's that."

My mood suddenly bounced back, and it felt like I'd experiencedwhiplash. Maybe it was from staying up too late. My mind had kept meawake with thoughts ofthe library charity event. Speaking of which…

"Hey, do you think Meech would be willing to do some artwork for A Night Out with Austen?" I asked. "It's for charity, so I wouldn't be able to pay her. But I would give her tons of props online and in our event program."

"I'll ask," he said, "but I'm sure she'll say yes. Meech likes you, and she's a good egg."

A good egg that you're secretly in love with? I wondered.

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