Page 116 of Bookworm

"I think it is," he said.

"But your grandma gave you a new list," Ipointed out. "The old books have to be turned in soon."

"Yeah, but I read fast," he said.

"You do?"

He nodded. "When it's something I'm interested in—and I'm dying to know what you like."

My eyes widened as Bo coughed.

"In a book, I mean."

Breath leaving me in a whoosh, I nodded. Of course, that was what he meant.

"We still on for tomorrow?"

"If you want to come read to the animals at the shelter, I can't stop you," I said.

Bo nodded. "Wouldn't miss it."

As he turned toward the library entrance, I tugged on his sleeve. "Are you sure you don't want to return those?" I asked, gesturing to the books in his hand, hoping he'd change his mind.

"Nah," he said, "I've still got a couple more days until they're due."

And he read fast.

Bo would soon know exactly what I liked in a romance—some of which were very spicy.

Awesome.

Perfect.

Nothing wrong with that. I owned my reading habits like a champ.

"Well, then I hope you enjoy the books," I said, ever the good librarian's assistant.

"I'm sure I will," Bo said in that deep voice of his.

A shiver ran down my spine.

"Are you cold?Let's go inside."

I didn't tell him then, but my goosebumps had nothing to do with the weather.

#

"Your boyfriend's good with animals," Viola commented.

We both watched as he continued readingClifford the Big Red Dogto…well, a red dog. My cousinsaid her name was Princess Ana. I wasn't sure what kind of dogshe was—neither was Viola—but whatever the breed, the furry hound was large. And shy. When we'dentered the shelter, she was skittish, curled up as far back in her cage as shecould get.She'd eyed all of the story time volunteersnervously. But when Bo sat in front ofher cage, opened the book, and started speaking in his low baritone, the dog seemed to relax more every second.I didn't blame her.

Bo's voice was smooth and decadent.

I could've listened to him read the back of a cereal box and been content.

Apparently so could Princess Ana.

"The kids like him too," Scarlett added.Most of the volunteers—besides Bo, Dare, Viola, and me—were from her mentorship program."Did you see him showing them those karate moves earlier?One boy even asked if he was a superhero."

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