Page 39 of Bookish Boys Don't Date Social Girls
“There’s even a section about our local celebrity.” I point to Brent. He sees me, and the scowl I’ve somehow grown fond of takes over his expression. I smile at his suspicion, and he hesitantly returns his attention to the customer he’s helping. “Page thirty. The Post family.”
Eying Brent, the couple thanks me.
“No problem. Enjoy your stay.” Returning to my chair, I feel good about making the couple so happy.
I’m sipping my coffee and completely lost inside my own head when a stack of books plop onto the counter in front of me. My startled gaze locks with Brent’s. His is suspicious.
“How did you find out about that guide?”
My eyes widen at the accusation in his tone. It’s like I’m an undercover spy who has just been uncovered. “I read it!”
His eyes narrow further.
“I was drinking my coffee in this very seat one day, and…” I point to the display of travel guides on the counter. I leave Callie out of it, because it seems like he’d be mad at her if he knew she pointed out the Post family story.
He softens a little. “That couple was very pleased with the suggestion and ended up buying a couple other books to study the history of our town further.” He fiddles with the display of travel guides, though it’s in perfect order. “So, thanks for doing that.”
“Um…sure.” I’m so confused!
Brent sighs when he sees someone walk up to the register. “Can you hang out for a second?”
“Yeah.” Look at me acting super chill when inside my emotions are flailing.
“Be right back.” He gives me what I interpret to be a regretful parting smile and my confusion grows. On the one hand, I’m glad to be defining more of his expressions, on the other, what on earth can he want to say?
When the line at the checkout grows, I pick up the third book in the series and crack the spine. I might as well make good use of my time. I’m so into the story, that I ignore the person who slides onto the seat next to me a while later, assuming it’s another customer.
Until he says, “That good, huh?”
My head snaps to the side and I find Brent seated next to me. He clutches a toasted sandwich in his hand and a soda sits in front of him. With a nod to the book, he sinks his teeth into the sandwich.
“Yeah. I’m already absorbed.” I eye his food. “Isn’t it early for lunch?”
He’s chewing, so he simultaneously nods and shakes his head, which makes him look like a bobblehead. Albeit the best looking bobblehead I’ve ever seen. When he swallows, he says, “We have to stagger our lunch breaks, and because weekends are so busy, and I’m literally always hungry, I go first.”
I look around and see alady I don’t recognize behind the counter. That’s when I realize that Brent chose to have his break with me. My heart races with excitement. But then I realize that I’m suddenly presented with the opportunity to ask why he turned down my dinner offer and my excitement morphs into nerves.
“Hey, I wanted to ask you something.” He studies his sandwich like it was prepared by Van Gough.
“Hit me.” Maybe if I don’t seem nervous, he’ll relax. But boy, oh boy, I’m buzzing with anticipation.
“The first time you came to the bookstore, you said you didn’t read. Now we can’t keep you stocked with enough books.”
I stare at him because that is so far from the subject matter I expected. “Is there a question there?”
“Oh, um…what changed?”
His discomfort confuses me. Heck, he confuses me. I shrug and shake my head. “I started reading.”
He glances at me and then grabs his soda. “Why though?” He shoves the straw in his mouth.
I screw up my mouth, considering how to answer, but in the end, I know I have to be honest about it. “Ava and Bek are both working this summer and I’m home alone a lot. I googled what to do when you’re bored, and the number one answer was to read.”
A laugh barks out of him and he looks at me. “Seriously?”
Even though I’m blushing, I look him in the eye and nod. “When I googled the best thing for nonreaders to read, this series was the number one suggestion.” I place my hand on the stack of books in front of me.
He laughs and shakes his head, and I wonder what he expected my answer to be.
