How would he even know that? Nix told me he wouldn’t run unless something was chasing him. Even then, he admitted he’s more likely to hide and hope for the best. “Have you read every book in this store?”
He laughs so hard I worry he might stop breathing.
“Not even close,” he says once he pulls it together. “I do read all the marketing information they send. When a new book comes in, especially non-fiction, I look through the table of contents to make sure I know what it has.”
“That’s incredible.”
He blushes and ducks his head. “It’s the job.”
Admittedly, I haven’t spent much time in bookstores, but I’m pretty sure he’s the only seller who’s this knowledgeable. It’s clear Nix found his true passion here. He works hard; that’s obvious, but at the same time, he’s in love with the process. I want that. I was never passionate about my job. It paid well, and I was satisfied with my achievements, but I never had any sort of burning fire over it.
The only thing that’s ever come close is running. Back in college, I ate, slept, and breathed track. Between the indoor and outdoor seasons, I could stretch the bulk of it across about eight months. The other four, I literally walked around looking for any excuse to talk to someone about pace and training practices.
Which might explain why some of my friends were extremely busy during those months, never available to hang out when I asked. If I coached, then I could talk about running all the time and become a specialist.
“I’ll start with these three.” I take the one in his hand and add the physiology coloring book and one of the training manuals to the stack. Three books. It’s quite the shift. All thanks to Nix. Once I get back on my feet, I’m going to need to send him some sort of gift basket. A fancy one with charcuterie and wine. “I’ll meet you at the counter.”
I leave Nix standing next to the bookshelves, mouth gaping. It’s nice to surprise him a little. To be something other than the dumb jock he knows me as. It’s not untrue, but I like to think there’s more than that somewhere underneath. At least I hope there is.
NIX
It’s been two days, and I can’t get over what I’m seeing.
Chase I-don’t-read-books-they’re-boring Haywood has spent both evenings sitting beside me on the sofa.Reading.
And judging by the progress he’s made, he’s spending some time with them during the day, too. Even more than that, he’s taking copious notes.
They’re practically illegible, but that’s not the point.
Part of me is a bit smug. Find the right book, and anyone can become a reader. For Chase, that meant showing him there are books on topics he’s passionate about.
The other part of me? Turned on by the vision of Chase, feet tucked under his ass and nose in a book. It’s the one thingthat would’ve kept me from dating him. There’s no way I could ever be with someone who didn’t read. They don’t have to like the same books that I do, but they can’t be against reading as a leisure-time activity.
None of which matters, because Chase is straight. A fact I’ve reminded myself of at least a dozen times today.
“Question.”
I nearly jump out of my skin. We’ve been reading together quietly for the last hour, with not a single sound.
Okay, so I’ve only managed three pages because instead of reading, I’ve been staring at Chase while trying to make it look like I wasn’t staring at Chase. But still, I was doing it quietly.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s fine. It happens a lot.” Probably because my head is always lost in a book. Or in a fantasy about my best friend’s brother. “What’s up?”
“Are there any books about running a small business? Not a textbook, but more of a how-to guide?”
This guy really hasn’t spent much time browsing books. He’s been helping out for a few hours a day in the store, but I’ve kept him behind the counter doing basic tasks. Maybe I should have him out browsing more often so he can see the range of options. “There are lots, actually. What did you have in mind?”
For the next hour, Chase details what he’s been thinking about in terms of a run coaching business. I mostly listen, nodding my head where I think it’s appropriate, but occasionally interjecting to ask for clarification.
Before now, I never knew that was a thing. I knew some people ran for fun and even paid to go to races, but that an ordinary person could hire a run coach to set up plans and train them, all over the internet, is new to me. The longer he talks, the more sense the whole thing makes.
Another thing that’s new to me? This side of Chase. He’s been through a lot lately, so I don’t exactly blame him for being cranky. This version of him is full of life, excited about future possibilities. The joy radiates off him as he describes his plans.
“So what do you think?”
“You want my honest opinion?” There’s a big difference between listening and offering advice. I’ve made the mistake of offering my thoughts to people at the wrong time.
