Page 34 of Bookish Boys Don't Date Social Girls
“Horror, really? Like slasher stuff?”
“I prefer psychological thrillers. The stuff that makes you afraid to move from your seat at night for fear something will get you.”
The way he emphasizes the word something makes me think he’s referring to something otherworldly, which reminds me of the first two books I read. I slap my hand on the counter. “I was reading a ghost story series – not a scary one, mind you – but I abandoned it for rom-coms. I’ve been thinking about going back to it. I wonder if you guys have it here. The Mediator series by Meg Cabot?”
Brent looks it up on the iPad and shakes his head. “We could order it in if you want it.”
“You can do that?” Goosebumps rise on my arms, I’m so excited about the future book potential.
“Of course,” Brent laughs. “We’re a bookstore. It’s our business. Do you want me to bring the books in?”
I nod enthusiastically.
“Which book are you on?”
“Three, but bring them all in. If I’m going to have a series, I want them all.”
He arches a brow as he types things into the tablet “What’s your phone number?”
I freeze.
He dips his chin like he’s encouraging me to speak. “So we can text you when they arrive.”
“Oh!” My blush gives away my misunderstanding. Mortification floods through me when his gaze drops to the iPad, and he almost hides a smile. I mumble mynumber.
“Great. They’ll be here in a couple days.” Brent scrolls through something on his screen and frowns. “I’m surprised you abandoned the series. These are romantic comedies too. Just with ghosts.”
“Oh!” Will the world please just swallow me up? “I have a lot to learn.”
Brent squints at me and cocks his head, clearly trying to figure something out. Maybe he’s wondering if I really am this clueless or just pretending. “We’re here to help.”
Chapter Seventeen
A light breezestirs the leaves of the tree overhead. The shushing of the branches is as lulling as the warm air. I could nap right here on this park bench.
Knowing that the books I ordered should come in tomorrow, I decided to skip the bookstore today. Will Brent even notice when I don’t show up? I stare across the expanse of grass, my book closed in my lap, with my finger marking my place. Hot Dog Cart Guy helps a couple of customers on the other side of the park, and I momentarily feel guilty for not stopping to say hello as I promised I would. My gaze wanders. There’s a woman speed walking her dog, a couple walking hand in hand, and a group of kids fighting over something one of the kids has.
I squint. It doesn’t look like a friendly fight. I lean forward.
The kids are about twelve years old, I think. Three boys are trying to tug something out of a girl’s hands. She cries out, and before I consciously decide to, I bolt from the park bench. I hook the long strap of my purse over my head, so the strap is across my body, and shove my book inside my bag as I run.The girl cries out louder and sounds more frightened, so I pick up speed. When I get close enough, I yell with all the force in my body. “Hey!”
All four kids turn to look at me and the boys’ eyes widen comically. They let go of the girl immediately and take off in the opposite direction. I slow to a stop next to the girl and stand, panting, with my hands on my hips, glaring after their retreating backs.
I swing my attention to the girl, who looks up at me with round eyes.
“Are you okay?” I ask, and though I’m still breathing hard, she understands and nods. “It looks like they didn’t get…that.” I point to the thing she clutches in her hands.
She looks at it too and shakes her head.
Her silence is a little unnerving. “What’s your name?”
Her eyes lock on me, but she lowers her chin so that she’s looking at me through long dark lashes.
I laugh. “I’m a stranger, huh?”
When she nods, the three braids sticking out from her head bounce around like they’re on springs. It’s adorable. Something about this girl tugs at my heart. Or maybe everything about her.
“Yeah, I guess I understand. Are you sure you’re okay?”
