‘I’m still getting used to it.’
‘It suits you.’ I smiled. ‘Before I forget, I got you something.’ I reached into my bag, pulled out a gift box and a card, then handed them to her.
‘A present? Thanks! But why?’ Jess said.
‘Just a little thank you for giving me this job. I’m so grateful.’
‘You didn’t have to get me anything, but I appreciate it!’ Jess opened the box, then burst out laughing.
Inside was a pair of pink, fluffy socks with ‘Shhh! I’m reading!’ on the soles, and a mug with a colourful stack of novels and ‘Yes, I really do need all of these books’ printed beside it.
‘I love them!’ Jess beamed. ‘Thanks again.’
‘You’re welcome.’
‘Let’s go to the office so we can catch up. Theo’s on his way too. How was your journey?’
‘It was great, until I ran into a romance-hating dickhead.’
‘Noooo!’ Jess said. ‘How do you know he hated romance?’
‘Because he was talking to someone on the phone and started spouting shit about how romance gives women unrealistic expectations. I mean, theaudacity!’ I grumbled. ‘I swear to God, if he hadn’t got off the train when he did, I would’ve stormed over and given him what for.’
‘I don’t blame you! Although, probably safer that you didn’t.’
‘True. It just really pisses me off when people say romance novels are predictable. Do we know that the superhero is going to save the world in an action-adventure novel or film? Yes! And there arealwayscar chase scenes, and the hero kills about a million people in two minutes, but no one callsthatpredictable!’
‘Exactly!’
‘Makes me sick!’ I said, relieved to vent to someone who understood my frustration.
‘That’s why what we’re doing here is so important,’ Jess added. ‘We’re showing that romance isn’t to be fucked with. It’s here to stay, so people should start treating it seriously.’
‘Hell yeah!’ I said in solidarity.
Just as I was about to continue, there was a knock on the door.
‘Come in!’ Jess said, and the door opened.
‘Hi, Sarah!’ Theo said as he stepped inside the office.
‘Hi!’ I said with a smile. ‘How are you?’
‘Good, thanks. Just had to go and check something out with my brother.’
‘Ben’s here?’ I said, straightening my shoulders before quickly removing my hair band, then running a hand through my hair.
If I’d known I’d be meeting Ben today, I would’ve had a shower at the B&B and dolled myself up a bit before I came to the library to make a good first impression. And I’d just remembered that I was wearing a new tinted moisturiser for the first time, so I should’ve checked it hadn’t made my medium brown skin look ashy like the last one did.
Oh well. Too late now.
‘Yeah, he’s just bringing in something from the car.’
‘Perfect!’ Jess beamed, giving me a knowing look.
She knew how much I’d been looking forward to meeting Ben.
My gaze travelled behind Theo, and I put on my best lovely-to-meet-you smile.
