Page 43 of Falling for You Again

“Book whisperer, remember?”

“Forgotten temple.”

“Cliff-hangers or no loose threads?”

“No cliffs.”

I smile. “Got it.”

“Just from that?”

“I might even have two. Follow me.” I lead him to the historical fiction section, find the book, and give it to him.

“The Alienist? Isn’t this a show on cable?”

“The book is better. I have one more.” I take him to the science fiction aisle and show himProject Hail Mary.

“I’ve heard of him,” Aaron says of the author Andy Weir. He reads the back cover copy and asks, “Have you read it?”

“No.”

“How do you know I’ll like it?”

“I’m a book whisperer.” I puff out my chest. “But I also have on good authority that it’s good. Uncle Bear read it last year. He wouldn’t shut up about it. I already know how it ends. It’s a page-turner, trust me.”

“I’ll give these a try. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Now it’s my turn.”

“You’re going to pick a book for me?” This should be interesting.

“Oh, ye of little faith. Choose a number between one and five.”

“How is that supposed to help?”

“Immensely. Now choose.”

“Three?”

“You don’t sound so sure of yourself.”

“Fine. Three.” I cross my arms.

“Pick a number between one and”—he glances down the aisle—“six.”

“Five.”

“Pick another between one and five.”

“Again? Two.”

“Between one and ...” He looks at the shelf beside us. “Let’s go with fifty.”

“Odd, but whatever. Thirty-six.”

He grins and starts walking.

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