Page 56 of Bookworm

"It was," I retorted, studying his profile."You're kind of hilarious, you know that?"

"And we're back to the questions." Bo sighed, which only made me laugh again.

As we drove, the silence was cozy, settling over us like a warm blanket. I definitely hadn't seen this coming. Bo and Ihaving a semi-friendly conversation. The two of usnottearing each other's hair out after being together in a confined space for so long?Now that was crazy.A few minutes later, during which I couldn't help but covertly watch him, he glanced over.

"We're back," he said.

Looking out the window, I saw that he was right.

Mrs. Lee's FlowerShop looked just as inviting as it had when we left. The lights were on, and inside, I caught sight of Mrs. Leetalking on the phone.

"I can't believe you do this all the time," I said.

"Do what?" he asked.

"You make people's days brighter." Ifelt a smile appear on my face."Thecustomerswe met today, every single one of them lit up when you gave them those flowers. It has to be the best job ever—well, besides working at the library."

"Never really thought of it like that."

When I turned to Bo, my smile fell. He was looking down at hisinjured hand, grimacing as he flexed his fingers.

"Does it hurt?" I asked.

His face went blank.

"Okay then"—I held out my palm—"can I see your arm?"

"Why?" he asked.

Rolling my eyes, I reached over, gently grasped his forearm and brought it closer.

"What are you doing?"

"Relax," I said, trying not to laugh at the alarm I heard in his voice. "If I wanted to hurt you, Iwould've done it by now."

"Says the girl who gave me a bookcussion" he grumbled.

Biting back a smile, I concentrated on his forearm, running my fingers over his skin to find the correct spot. Thistook a few moments. When I found it, Ileaned closer, using my thumbs to press down, gently at first, then addinga little more pressure. Bo didn't tense. He didn'tmove a muscle. I might've thought he'd stopped breathing he was so still. But then I felt his breath against my neck.

The sensation sent shivers down my spine.

I counted the seconds under my breath and then released him.

"What was that, Kent?" he asked softly.

"I looked up how to treat a sprained wrist," I said with a shrug. "It was nothing, just one of the techniques they recommended."

"You looked that up?"

Meeting his eyes, I nodded. "Does it feel any better?"

Bo glanced down at his wrist before looking back up, locking me in his intense stare. "Yeah, it does. Thanks, Kent."

For some reason, I blushed. "No problem."

I didn't know what made me say it.

But I added, "Maybe now, you won't be so opposed to working with me."

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