Page 5 of Strawberry Cake
Hope bit her lower lip, a blush creeping up her neck and colouring her cheeks.
Inside the store, Hope already knew exactly where to find the books and knelt down in front of the shelves. She was totally in her element, reading the back covers and setting the ones aside she seemed interested in. Decan sifted through the ones she’d deemed worthy, noting that they were all romances. It was a popular genre right now. Most of the authors he worked for were writing it in various subgenres. He placed the ones she seemed to want on his lap and picked up a few to check out for himself.
“So Decan, what do you do for a living?”
“I’m an editor.”
“Like, for books?”
“Mmhmm.”
Hope nudged his shoulder, pulling his attention from the book in his hand. “And you didn’t even deem it worthy to mention while we talked about all kinds of bookish things? How rude.”
His chest vibrated in a laugh, but she seemed genuinely upset. “Sorry. In my mind I separate my leisure reading from my job. Most books I edit aren’t the genre I would prefer reading so…”
“Still,” she pouted.
“I’m sorry.” Trying to shake the disappointment, he asked, “What do you do for work, Hope?”
“Medical coding.”
“For a hospital?”
“Yes. So, rather boring.”
“It can’t be that bad. You chose it, after all.”
“Yeah, to pay for my book addiction without selling my kidney,” she joked.
“And yet, you’re still shopping for books at a thrift store. Maybe it’s time for a new job.”
Hope grinned and picked up another book. “Well, this is just an old habit. I didn’t grow up with a lot of money. Then when I started making it on my own, I still liked going for the hunt—just for the thrill of finding something that isn’t in print anymore.”
“That can only come from a book lover, the thrill of an old cover.”
“Well, what do you do for fun?” she asked, raising her brow at him.
“Reading and going to the gym.”
Usually, people started questioning him when he talked about going to the gym regularly. Hope didn’t even seem surprised. “Someone suggested I get into audio books so I don’t feel like I’m missing out on reading time when working out.”
“Why don’t you?”
“I don’t have a good enough poker face to hide what’s being whispered in my ears.”
Decan laughed again, and Hope ducked to hide her face. What he would have given to know exactly what she was reading. He was no stranger to smut, but there were varying levels of it out there. “I would give anything to see that.”
Hope looked over her shoulder, worrying her bottom lip and giving him a onceover. “Maybe if you ask nicely, I’ll consider it.”
He reached for her hand and spun her to face him. “Hope, would you do me the honour of joining me at the gym some day?”
“Only if you’re not one of those diet fanatics.”
“I promise, I’m not.”
A gentle smile graced Hope’s face. “I’ll consider it.”
Once she’d gone through her first selection and narrowed it down to the books she wanted to buy, Decan followed her to the cashier. He was already reaching for his wallet when she shook her head and smiled down at him.