Page 21 of Starting Over on Sunflower Street

‘It’s no trouble.’ He smiled, and she thought that it probably wouldn’t hurt and knew that if she insisted she walk home alone, it might seem rude.

Brooke hugged Clover, then waited while Nolan said goodbye.

‘Isn’t this out of your way?’ she asked when they reached the main road.

‘Not really.’ He shook his head.

‘Where do you live?’

‘Over that way.’ He pointed in the opposite direction.

‘Then you are going the wrong way.’

‘It’s fine.’ He laughed. ‘I like to walk.’

‘This isn’t necessary, I promise.’ Brooke’s mortification was growing. ‘I’m quite capable of walking home alone.’

‘No one said you weren’t.’ Nolan stopped walking and turned to her. ‘And if it bothers you then I’ll leave you to it. But my grams asked me to see you home safely and I don’t like to say no to her. If she finds out I didn’t walk you home after I said I would, then…’ He grimaced. ‘I don’t fancy my chances.’

Brooke chewed on the inside of her cheek. Was she being too sensitive here?

‘I’m sorry. I just don’t like to be any trouble.’

‘You’re not being any trouble. Besides, a walk will help me sleep better.’

‘OK then,’ she said, and they continued walking.

‘What do you do?’ he asked.

‘I’m an editor.’

‘What do you edit?’

‘Fiction books. Different genres but romance is definitely a favourite.’ She frowned. Why had she said that? Did it sound suggestive?

‘I like reading.’

‘You do?’ She eyed him.

‘Don’t sound so surprised.’ He chuckled.

‘Sorry. It’s just you look quite sporty and, in my experience, sporty men rarely read a lot. Not fiction anyway.’

‘I’ve always been a bookworm. Growing up, I was small and quiet, and I used to get bullied.’

‘You?’ Surprise filled her tone.

‘Yes, me. I always had at least two books in my rucksack and at school that made me a bit of a target. Kids can be cruel, especially when they’re looking for someone to pick on, so that they lookcool.’

‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘That wasn’t fair.’

‘It’s fine.’ He pulled his hat lower over his ears. ‘I discovered rugby when I was a teenager and it helped me to fill out a bit.’ Brooke kept her eyes firmly ahead now, not needing to confirm to herself that he was, in fact, very muscular andfilled outas he’d put it.

‘So you’re a reading rugby player?’ she asked.

‘I am. Or I was. I never played professionally, more as a hobby. I always preferred books.’

‘Have you ever written anything?’

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