Page 12 of The Omega's Fake Mate

Zander's lips were pressed into a thin line, but now they curved upward just the slightest bit. “I like books,” he said, obviously trying to sound nonchalant.

“I know you do.” I pulled a book from the shelf beside me, if only to give my hands something to do. If I didn't, I was likely to follow an impulse and give my old friend a hug that might or might not be welcome.

It was only bad luck, really, that this effort put the weirdest book ever in my hand. Before I could stop myself, I snorted. “The Mating Rituals of Homosexual Penguins?” I said out loud. “I had no idea you were selling books like that here.” To be honest, I had no idea books like that even existed.

“I... wasn't really aware either.”

“I don't believe you. You know everything about this store.” Even when we were children, his love forTall Taleshad bordered on obsession.

One of his hands ran through his hair again. “So what if I have books about penguins? Penguins are fascinating creatures. More people should read about them. You should read about them.”

“You want me to read this book?”

“No.” He stepped around the desk and snatched it from my hand. For the briefest of moments, our fingers brushed. The touch made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I wanted more of that, but Zander was already moving again. “There are other books you should read first, if you're asking for recommendations.”

“Other books about penguins?” I asked, trying to stop thinking about Zander's fingers on mine.

“Not necessarily.” Something about the way he said it made me wonder exactlywhat kindof books he wanted me to read. Would there be mating rituals involved in those too?

Zander put the penguin book on his desk and glanced toward the shelves.

That moment, Conner showed up by my side. I'd forgotten all about him. “I think I want these,” he said, clutching two books in his arms. I glanced at the spines, but couldn't quite make out the titles. They seemed to be fiction books, though.

“What's your school project on, anyway?” I asked him.

“Book reviews. I'm looking for books with strong omega characters.”

“Oh. How's it going?”

“Not too well, to be honest.” Conner gave a small sigh as he put the books on the desk to be rung up.

“These are excellent choices, though,” Zander said, scanning the barcodes on Conner's purchases.

“I just wish there weremorebooks to choose from,” Conner said emphatically.

“There must be. I'll see if I can order more in.” Zander handed the books back to Conner. “That'll be $18.98, please.”

Conner gave him a twenty. “When would you get new books in?”

“Maybe next week.” Zander counted out the change and put it in Conner's outstretched hand. “You should just come by again.” He looked at me. “You too, if you'd like to.”

I smiled awkwardly. “You know, I'm notthatinto books.”

“Perhaps not.” His face took on a thoughtful expression. “Still... Wait a moment.” He disappeared into a back room and came back a minute later with another book in his hand. “I think you should try this.”

I took the book from him, reading the title.Between Books and Boxes. The cover had a kissing couple on it. “I didn't know you were into Romance.”

“All genres are worth perusing,” Zander said without missing a beat. “I don't believe in declaring a whole subset of novels unworthy. You never know what treasures you might be missing.”

“And this is a treasure?” I turned the book over in my hands. It wasn't thick, at least.

“It might be!” Zander's eyes lit up. The way they always did when he talked about his favorite stories. That alone was enough for me to want to give the book a shot.

“Okay, I'll try it.” Zander had picked this personally for me. There had to be something in it worth reading.

It wasn't until I was back in the car with Conner that I started to regret my decision. Reading this book also meant reporting back to Zander how I liked it. That meant coming back to the bookstore, more talking... maybe more accidental brushing of our fingers.

My hands tightened around the steering wheel.