Page 17 of I Don't Need Your Romance

“What’s the title?” Damian asks.

“Dying to Kiss You. Why?”

He walks to the other end of the table and rummages through messy piles caused by other customers.

“I doubt you’ll find it there,” I say in a dejected tone. “I told you this book is one of the best romances in the world.”

“No.” He pushes some books aside. “I believe your exact words were ‘the romance subplot is supposed to be, like, the best thing that has ever graced our planet.’”

Again, my cheeks flame. And again, I have no idea if he’s teasing me or making fun. So I say, “You have a good memory.”

“It’s all right.”

“You should put it to use for school.”

His eyes flit to mine for a moment before he focuses back on his piles of books.

Surrendering to the fact that I won’t be coming home today with the amazing mystery book, I search the other new releasesfor something that sounds interesting. The problem? Every single one that I read soundssuperinteresting. I find myself holding five books.

“Got it,” Damian says.

My head snaps to his so fast it nearly cracks off my neck. “What?”

“Here.” He digs the book out from the bottom of the pile and holds it out. “This is the book, right?”

“No way.” I rush to his side and grab it out of his hand, nearly dropping all of my other books. “Oh my gosh, thanks so much!” I make a move to wrap an arm around him, but he staggers back. “Sorry,” I say. I guess he’s not a hugger. “You’re determined, Damian. That’s a good quality to have for school.”

“Are you going to stick it to me every chance you get?”

“Yep.” I smile widely. “It’s my job as your tutor.”

“I’m not determined,” he says.

“Oh? Then what do you call refusing to give up finding the book when odds were there were none left?”

“Preventing a heart attack?”

“Sure.”

“I’m serious. What would everyone think if I left with you and then you died of a heart attack? I’m not going to jail because of your love for books.”

“That would be funny, though. Imagine the headlines: Damian Harrington Lawrence sentenced to life for causing heart attack of fellow student.”

I thought he might laugh, maybe even smile. But he turns away and looks at something in the distance.

“So…I’m going to go to the YA section to look for that other book.”

He glances at the six books in my arms. “Isn’t that enough?”

I snort. “No. I usually leave the bookstore with at least ten books.”

He follows me to the YA section. “How do you have time to read so much?”

“I read when I eat. I read when I do homework. I read when I hang out with my friends. I read when I walk around campus. I read until I pass out every night. It’s a talent.”

We reach the YA section, and I search the authors’ names for the book. Damian stands on the side, and I can feel him watching me. I still have no idea if he thinks I’m weird or a loser for being so obsessed with books, but I don’t care. He can think I’m the biggest dork in the world. I’ll still love my books.

“Yay!” I pluck it out and wave it around.