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Hannah smiled. He’d actually bought one of the books she’d recommended and was reading it? She couldn’t help melting a little as she responded.

And how do you like it?

She sat back down at the table, ignoring Milo’s attempts to sharpen his teeth on her feet as she waited. Beep.

I am over halfway done. Just can’t put it down. So, thank you for the recommendation.

Oh, yeah, it was going to be really easy to get over this guy. She snorted.

You are very welcome. Maybe we could talk about it over coffee sometime?

She sent the text before she thought of how he might react to it. He’d asked for time, and here she was, pressing him to see her. Her phone beeped, and she held her breath as she looked.

I’d like that.

She stilled, staring at the screen in shock. And then . . .

Damn him.

Here she was, trying not to get attached, and he went and said incredibly sweet things, even reading a romance novel she’d suggested.

Has it given you a new appreciation for romance?

Would he take that the wrong way?

I really think it has. In fact, I’ve got the next book you recommended ready to go when I finish this one.

Hannah squealed and did a little dance in her chair, laughing.

Well, please let me know when you finish. I’d love to hear your final thoughts.

Two seconds later, another beep.

And her heart stopped.

Anything for you.

What the hell did that mean? And what the heck did she say to that?

That’s nice of you.

She wanted to bang her head against something the minute she hit send, but there was no taking it back.

BLAKE STARED AT his phone screen, reading too much into her last response. After he’d sent anything for you, he’d realized how it would come across, but it was too late to take it back. He’d figured it would just be easier to keep the conversation going so she wouldn’t dwell on it, but it almost seemed as if it had pissed her off, if the formal response was any indication.

Text message tones are hard to interpret. I need to chill.

His fingers tapped the side of the phone as he contemplated what to do next.

Do you have an e-reader?

He knew the question had come out of the blue, but he’d actually been thinking about getting a tablet for a while, and if it kept her talking . . .

I am such a lonely, pathetic asshole.

His phone chirped, and he read her response.

I have a NOOK. Why?