Page 99 of Safe With You

“What are we doing?”

“Pick a book.”

“Any book?”

“One you like.”

I looked at the shelves.

“That’s not narrowing it down.”

“Good. Take your time.”

I glanced at him.

He’d lowered the camera again.

“You’re not going to tell me how to stand?”

“No.”

“Where to look?”

“No.”

“What to do with my⁠—”

I stopped.

Ellis’s eyebrows lifted.

I laughed despite myself and turned toward the shelves.

“You’re irritating.”

“I’ve been told.”

I ran my fingers along the spines, scanning titles I knew almost as well as the books on my own shelves at home.

After a minute, I pulled one free.

“Why that one?”

I looked down at the cover.

“Because I love it.”

“Why?”

“Are you interviewing me now?”

“Humor me.”

I leaned against the shelf.

“It’s one of those books where nothing about the relationship feels rushed. They become friends first. They actually know each other before everything gets complicated.”

“Complicated how?”