Page 32 of What Is Love
“Is there a romance section?” I asked her. I figured that if she’d offered to help and if the gossip about her was true, she might know where things were.
Her brows rose slightly, and she nodded. “This way.”
I followed her past two more rows, then we went to the left through one, came out the other side, turned right, went up another two rows and turned left again.
“This entire aisle is romance. It’s not the biggest. A lot of it is young adult and new adult, but there are a few adult romances mixed in. Just know that most of them are fade-to-black or closed-door romances,” she said.
“Fade to black?” I repeated, unsure what that meant.
“It means there aren’t any explicit scenes written in the book,” she explained. “I enjoy a good wholesome romance every now and then, but most of the time I need the spice. I don’t know what that says about me.” She shrugged like she didn’t care. “Sometimes it gives me blue ovaries if I read a whole book only for them to kiss on the last freaking page. No offense, if that’s what you enjoy.”
For someone who was supposed to be shy, she was very talkative. “You seem like you really enjoy reading.”
She looked away and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Yeah. Books are the best way to escape reality.”
“I could use that,” I mumbled.
“Would you like any recommendations?”
I shook my head. I wanted to be hidden in the stacks for as long as I could. The fewer people saw me, the better. I didn’t need Brandon finding out where I was.
“Then I’ll let you look. I volunteer during the lunch hour. If you need any more help, come and find me,” she said before leaving.
I started perusing by reading titles until one piqued my interest. It was calledSo This Is Loveby Shanley Stoker.
I was so engrossed reading the synopsis on the back of the book that I didn’t realize someone had come up behind me until I sensed them near my ear.
“Taking Wyatt’s advice?” a male voice whispered.
My soul tried to leave my body as I jumped and quickly spun around. Roe was so close behind me that I brushed against him as I turned. Face to face, there wasn’t much room between us. With each inhale, I took his scent in. Leather and musk. It was addicting to the point that I caught myself leaning closer to him. If I hadn’t, I was pretty sure I would have buried my nose in his chest.
I corrected my posture as I stared up at him. He towered over me by at least six inches. Keeping my volume low, I asked, “Did you follow me?”
He leaned his shoulder against the bookshelf and folded his arms over his chest. “I saw you come in here.”
So he did follow me.
He eyed the book in my hand. “Did you come in here for research or to hide?”
I had the urge to lie but stopped myself. “Both.”
“I don’t understand rich people. Maybe one day you’ll explain it to me.” He shook his head. “If you don’t like him, why do you have to be with him?”
I took a step back, needing distance, and went back to looking at the books on the shelf at eye level. As I scanned over the titles, I didn’t read a single one. “Our parents want us together. I think Brandon’s family is trying to gain a connection to the Kendry empire. I’m not sure what Mother—I mean—my family will gain from the Carmichaels. Brandon is totally for it. He’s had a thing for me for a while.”
“But you don’t?”
It doesn’t matter what I want,I wanted to say.
I gave the slightest shake of my head and instantly felt guilty about it. It was too much vulnerability revealed. Too much honesty. I felt like I might get in trouble if anyone found out. I quickly glanced at the end of the aisle and past Roe. No one seemed to be around.
“Is there a reason you feel like you can’t tell them no?” There was a carefulness to his words. Like he was worried he might upset me.
He didn’t, but I didn’t answer.
“Maybe that was too personal,” he said.
I nodded and glanced at him. He didn’t appear upset or disappointed. Just watchful. I wondered if he liked what he sawwhen he stared at me. It was a forbidden thought. Yet I was still curious.
