Page 61 of I Don't Need Your Romance

I smile, feeling warm by how much they care about me. “Thanks, guys.”

Chapter Nineteen

Sophie

After my lesson with Damian on Monday, I decide to inaugurate my fixed car with a drive to the public library. Since I’m not allowed to buy new books and since the school library refuses to supply itself with new releases, I figure I’ll find something good at the public library.

The drive there takes about half an hour because it’s farther than the bookstore and the restaurant my friends and I usually eat at. I put on an audiobook of one of my favorite books and basically say the words along with the narrator because I’ve read and listened to it so many times I nearly know it by heart. I’m pretty sure I’ll knowDying to Kiss Youby heart soon enough, since I keep reading it over and over.

Once I reach the library, I climb out of the car and enter through the front door. The place is full enough, with people of all ages browsing through the books.

I weave through the kids in the YA section, making my way to the new releases. Now that a new week has passed, there should be new books out.

As I scan the options, I notice something in the corner of my eye. Raising my head, I catch a guy with golden blond hair peering through the fantasy section. I do a double-take because I don’t really see many guys browsing through books. Of course guys read, but it’s not a popular activity at Harrington Bay Academy.

As I take a few moments to study him, I conclude that I don’t know him and have never seen him before. He doesn’t go to my school. He’s reading the first page of one of the books and looks so into it that my heart soars. I’ve never come across a guy who seems to love reading as much as I do.

Have I found the male version of myself?

Could he be the guy I’m looking for? The guy Damian swears exists somewhere on this planet? A real-life potential boyfriend?

I’m squealing inside as I continue watching him devour the words. I’m not even looking for a book for myself. I’m focused on the guy.

Does he have a girlfriend? A quick sweep around the area tells me he’s not here with a girl, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have one. Of course a guy like that is taken. They say the good ones always are.

Suddenly, his head lifts and his eyes meet mine. My cheeks get so hot I swear it feels like I fell into an oven. He doesn’t look away, though. He smiles at me. A smile that makes my heart skip a beat. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone look so good when they smile.

Fine, he doesn’t look as good as Damian when he smiles, but Damian is not a potential boyfriend. This guy might be. And it’s not right to compare the guys.

My eyes grow as wide as oranges when he heads over to me, book still in his hand. I’m holding three books in my arms and I might drop them because I’m fuzzy all over.

He smiles as he reaches me. “Hi.”

“Hi,” I say shyly.

His grin widens, his eyes taking in my school uniform. “You go to Harrington Bay Academy?”

“Yeah.”

“Cool. I go to Harrington Bay High.”

I smile in return because my legs feel all tingly, and I’m not sure how long they can support me, and my heart pounds in my ears. A cute guy is talking to me. And not just any guy. A guy who loves to read. Swoon! Meeting at a library is the best meet-cute ever.

“I’m Axel Thorne.” He holds out his hand.

I accept the handshake. “Sophie Reed.”

He smiles again. “It’s great to meet you, Sophie.”

“You, too.”

He glances at my pile of books. “So you like to read, huh?”

“Yes! It’s the best thing in the entire world.”

He laughs lightly. “I feel the same way. Books are the greatest things to have ever been invented. Can you imagine a world without them? I sure can’t.”

Can this guy be even more perfect?