If there was one thing she loved about her job, it was that she never stopped learning. Health and medicine were constantly changing; Constant adapting to improved practices and new findings. It meant, even if she were technically just a nurse, that she needed to be up to date on as much of that information as she could.

As it were that meant she tended to spend a lot of time in libraries. Why? What with this day and age having a wealth of knowledge at one's fingertips online?

Simple: She loved the sound of a turning page. She loved the smell of old dusty books, crammed with energy from millions of hands having flipped those same pages. There were other reasons, such as how hard it was to find accurate, studied information on the internet with all the misinformation being spread around... but her personal reasons were her favorite excuse.

It was an early Friday morning as she stepped off the bus outside the New York public library on 53rd street. She had never been to this particular one before, and just looking at it from where she stood was pretty mesmerizing. The building was huge! Her favorite libraries were tiny in comparison. Quaint. Cozy.

She could get lost in this one for weeks!

Hesitantly, she checked her list of reading material once more before setting her jaw and heading up the many steps into the Library.

--

She... was lost. This library had many more books than she was used too. It didn't help that the place was packed. Possibly college students? She had chosen the day and time specified in the hopes of avoiding the crowds. As it were, she was trying to make sense of where to find her books on her phone and failing at that too.

Sloth shifted around her shoulders and she clicked her tongue at him. He stilled, before re-adjusting and settling down again. Most of her snakes were bound back in a gentle braid, but Sloth had always been too big for that. Like normal he was simply wound around her shoulders like a strange shawl.

Pursing her lips, the greek cast her gaze around until she spotted someone who looked like they worked at the library.... or so she hoped. She settled a smile on her lips, orange eyes creased slightly at the corners with her smile, and approached.

"Excuse me... might you be able to help me?" She had her list ready at hand, so she could fire off titles if needed to speed things along.

It was an eventful day. One would never think the library outside of a college campus or grade school would be crowded, but today it was fairly busy. It wasn’t because the local populace suddenly realized the importance of books. And it wasn’t because there were any celebrities or giveaways happening. No, the real reason that the New York Public Library was in its current state was because it was hot outside. Plain and simple, increase the temperature and everyone suddenly loves books and their air-conditioned environment they sat within. For as disappointing as that reason was, Booker wasn’t going to complain. Business was business.

Today it was pretty much all hands on deck. There wasn’t a bevy of people demanding tours, nor were there really that many books being checked out. Rather what seemed to be occupying most of the work was cleaning up after people, making sure everything was put away properly. Wasn’t the most glamorous of work but, hey, for every 200 people who walked in, at least one was being legitimately seduced by the library, no? At least, that was what Booker hoped.

The reference desk was both a blessing and a curse. As much as he loved the library, he liked to be out and moving through it. He liked to be collecting his books, making sure that everything was right and neat. He hardly spent any time in his office but the rather preferred the reference desk. But, it required a lot of sitting and a lot of waiting, two things that Booker didn’t care to do in his beloved building. But, it was the job and the reason why he was now sitting behind his desk, flipping through a printed copy of several books that needed to be weeded out.

>>"Excuse me... might you be able to help me?"

He didn’t hear her as she stepped up to the desk, hence why her voice was like a thunderclap in small room. The question wasn’t asked malicious or with any cruelty, but it was still enough to make the librarian jump a little in surprise. He lifted his head and caught sight of a rather...interesting woman who was standing nearby. Certainly a mutant and certainly with one of the most amazing powers he had ever seen, Booker could already see the slight effects of his adapted aura having an effect on her. He stood, took a few respectful steps back, and gave her a smile.

”Oh! Hello! Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.” He smirked. ”...my fault.” He said reassuringly. Then, remembering his job, he perked up. ”Of course I help. Welcome to the New York Public Library! What may I ask are you looking for?” A pleasant smile on his lips as he watched her; public service was always his greatest strength. However he made sure to try and keep her just outside of his aura. He had now idea how his abilities would affect her so it was better to play it safe.

No sooner than the words left her lips, she felt a change starting to fall over her. She was momentarily shocked, especially as she felt every hair and snake on her hear suddenly go limp and still. Her skin tingled slightly. She recognized the feeling immediately.

Then, the man stepped back and the feeling vanished. Her snakes were alive again and a little confused, if their thoughts were anything to go by. She happened a peek at the portion of her arm left uncovered by her half sleeved shirt. Green and splotchy. Normal.

”Oh! Hello! Sorry, I wasn't paying attention....my fault. Of course I help. Welcome to the New York Public Library! What may I ask are you looking for?”

A warm smile settled on her lips. "No harm done." She rather liked people with his type of ability. It was refreshing being a little different sometimes. She lifted her list again, the titles of her books written out neatly in graceful cursive. "Quite a few things I am afraid. I am used to much smaller libraries. I am quite lost in here." She chuckled lightly, debating in her head if she should step closer to give him the list or remain at a distance.

"I am searching for quite a few medical books, as well as a few novels that had appeared on the most recent 'top books to read this year' list.

Sloth peeked over one shoulder then, pink tongue slipping through the little specially built muzzle she had affixed on him. All of her large snakes had them as she needed to make sure they were safe when in hospital and hospice environment. She willingly wore them more often since Sloth had a habit of trying to eat random things.

"Most importantly I am looking for 'Step-up to Medicine', 'On Rounds', 'Rebecca', and 'Jane Eyre'."

Booker loved mutants. But he hated what his powers did to them. There were some that relied on their powers to live or where the absence of their abilities could be deadly. Juliette was one example, his girlfriend before he met Javier. Juliette was sweet and amazing but her powers required that she absorb a certain amount of light everyday. When she was absent from it, she felt it -- and it hurt. Booker had the watch the pain on her face whenever she had to be re-introduced to it. It killed him to see her suffer so things had to end. From then on, Booker made it a point to be honest with any mutants he came across.

This woman was absolutely amazing to look at. She was like a piece of a living, breathing art; a combination of real life and mythology. But as much as he wanted to be mesmerized by the snakes that curled through her hair, he had instinctively had to back up. Not out of fear but out of respect. How would his abilities affect her? No, it was too risky so he would back up a few steps, just until he knew how much he would have to help her.

And yes, he was startled. You honestly would be too if you weren’t expecting someone to sneak up on you like this.

>> "No harm done...Quite a few things I am afraid. I am used to much smaller libraries. I am quite lost in here."

He gave her a sweet smile. He loved it when people came here for the first time. And he understood that, yes, it could be intimidating. ”Oh of course. That’s why I’m here. Your sherpa to Mt. Bookstacks.” A cheesy grin followed.

She fiddled about before she produced a list. Booker edged closer to his computer and bent down, tapping and opening the library’s stack directory. As the site came up, he quickly brought up the search engine in preparation for finding her items.

>>"I am searching for quite a few medical books, as well as a few novels that had appeared on the most recent 'top books to read this year' list...Most importantly I am looking for 'Step-up to Medicine', 'On Rounds', 'Rebecca', and 'Jane Eyre'."

He gave her a brilliant smile. ”That’s quite the eclectic collection. Lemme see…” a few clicks and Booker pulled out a few slips of paper and immediately started to jot down Call Numbers, some of them he knew by heart. When he was done, he straightened up. ”Okay, ‘Step-Up’ will be W 18.2 S8273 2008, ‘On Rounds’ is... QZ 39 L363o 2015, both ‘Rebecca’ and ‘Jane Eyre’ would be in our Literature section, PR6007 .U47 R4 1971 and PR4167 .J3 1991. I went with one of our older copies of ‘Jane Eyre’, without a lot of the needless edits.” A brilliant smile followed. However, as he looked over the list an realized just how daunting it would be, his lip twitched into a smile as he eyed her. ”Um...would you like some help? I feel like you’ll be trekking everywhere for these. I can show you around.”

The Greek laughed lightheartedly as his joke. It was refreshing to run into an upbeat personality in a library these days! Clearly she needed to visit bigger places more often if her usual librarians dour mood was anything to go by.

She nodded lightly at his comment about her little mashup of books, flushing slightly in the cheeks. Then, she listened as he started to explain. He had her undivided attention... and yet, as he went on and on, listing sections and letter and numbers, she couldn't stop her eyes from widening just a bit.

She... could definitely need to write all that down. Or... could she impute those coordinate into her maps app?

Thankfully, it seemed like he caught on that she was in over her head.

”Um...would you like some help? I feel like you’ll be trekking everywhere for these. I can show you around.”

She blushed, guiltily as charged. The next chuckle that followed was weak and laid bare how she felt on the matter. "If... you are not terribly busy, I would appreciate that ever so much. I regrettably do not have the best sense of direction."

After a beat, she slipped her list away into her pocket, safe until she might need it again, and held a gloves hand out toward the man. "And, since I dare say this may take a while with my luck, I am very pleased to meet you. My name is Andrea."

She was thankful, then, that even though her face and name had appeared in a few papers and articles here and there she was not very well known yet outside of medical circles and volunteer work. She always found introducing herself to new people awkward when they seemed to know her first.

Booker could see the look in her eyes. He knew instantly that she was lost. He rattled off a large series of call numbers, numbers that she wasn’t prepared to write down and wasn’t at all prepared to go looking for in this large, mysterious building. Having spent enough years behind this counter to see that look, he knew instantly that his services would be required -- services he was only too happy to give. Though he was initially unsure of helping her further because she was clearly a mutant he didn’t want to throw her abilities out of whack, his overly helpful nature immediately took over.

Without a second thought, Booker offered his assistance. It was only after he did that he remembered his affect on mutants, but seeing the appreciation in her eyes, he knew it was too late to take it back.

>>"If... you are not terribly busy, I would appreciate that ever so much. I regrettably do not have the best sense of direction."

He smirked. ”Of course.” He began to gather his stuff, mainly just his phone and clipboard. There was no need for him to print out or write down the call numbers of those particular items. Booker possessed an eidetic memory so the information was not be forgotten.

>>"And, since I dare say this may take a while with my luck, I am very pleased to meet you. My name is Andrea."

He turned just as she stepped closed. He didn’t really have the time to warn her as she quickly stepped into his field. It had a diameter of ten feet so just stepping in to shake his hand she would begin to change. Andrea, it was a sweet name, and he really hoped that he wasn’t hurting her. He watched carefully, the effects of his adapted field washing over her as his hand slipped into her’s.

”Booker,” he responded with genuine care. ”It’s nice to meet you, Andrea.” he then awkwardly looked her over before a look of apology swept over his features. ”Are you okay? I’m not...hurting you, right?”

It was marvelous. The feeling washing over her skin like a fresh breeze with moisture on the skin.

Her entire scalp relaxed as once lively, slightly wiggly hair rested. The snakes all went limp as if sleeping, and while tucked away in her braid it was hard to even notice them. Her hair shifted to a dark brown instead of black, while the green and blue tints of her skin faded into a fleshy pink color. She ran her tongue over teeth that were no longer sharp and tusk-like and smiled. The only thing that didn't appear to change was her eyes, whose bright blue color was hidden behind orange contacts that had matched her normal eye color.

”Are you okay? I’m not...hurting you, right?”

She shook his hand gently before letting go. "Oh, quite the contrary Mr. Booker. I am quite fond of powers like yours. I have met a few others like you before, in passing." She slipped one of her gloves off for a moment to stare at her pink fingers and give them a good wiggle, before popping the synthetic leather back on. "It is quite a welcome, refreshing change for me."

"I can imagine for others it may not be quite as pleasant, however. If you would rather I not stand so close I am more than willing to step out of your... um... how to say it, your bubble?" She waited for him to prompt them to move, intent on following at whatever distance he was comfortable with.

After Juliette, Booker made it a point to be as honest with any mutants he came across. Not that the man wasn’t usually a chatterbox, but in these cases he wanted to let mutants know what was happening to them. Most had never met an adapted before. Some have and the results have been traumatic for them. He wasn’t going to be the cause of someone else’s pain again. That he vowed. That was why, once Andrea closed the gap and inspected herself that he immediately inquired after her safety. Was she okay? Did she need a doctor?

>>”Oh, quite the contrary Mr. Booker. I am quite fond of powers like yours. I have met a few others like you before, in passing...It is quite a welcome, refreshing change for me."

He breathed a short sigh of relief. That was certainly good to hear. The woman’s skin shifted, the wriggling in her hair grew still, and whatever protrusions existed in her teeth sank away. She now looked fairly human, no hint of the mythological creature that had stood before him only moments ago. He often wondered how that extreme a shift would feel, but he was glad that she didn’t seem harmed by it.

>>"I can imagine for others it may not be quite as pleasant, however. If you would rather I not stand so close I am more than willing to step out of your... um... how to say it, your bubble?"

He smirked and nodded. ”Yeah, that’s a good name for it.” He then sighed but shook his head. ”No, it doesn’t bother me at all. So long as you’re okay with it, then I am. I just like to give warning and the option first. Like you said, there are some people where it can be very unpleasant. But if you say you’re okay, then so am I!”

A proud, beaming smile crossed his lips. Standing before he, the man stood over six feet, with his short, sandy hair and scruffy five o’clock shadow. He was dressed rather professionally in slacks, his vest and lilac colored shirt. The bowtie around his neck was an eye-catcher though, filled with various heroic symbols from the latest and classic comic books. However, it would be his smile that would be at the center of attention. Broad, pure, and sweet, here was a man who was a living ray of sunshine and he reveled in it.

Clipboard in hands, he turned his waist, beginning to lead the way before he glanced back to Andrea. ”Are you ready? Have you been here before? If not I’ll give you the dime tour.”

She beamed back unused to the feeling of small, straight teeth in her mouth. It was unusual. "That is very kind of you. Not many bother with thinking such things through these days. Too much on everyone's plate, I suppose."

Given how sort she was in comparison, she needed to look up a bit to make eye contact. She was used to it, mostly. She fixated on his bowtie for a moment trying to discern what the symbols meant. She recognized a few of them, but from where she could not recall.

"I have not, unfortunately. Due to certain aspects of my mutation, I tend to stick to only a few places most of the time. I was not aware such a place existed here." The giant white snake laying limp around her shoulders was an example of why she didn't go out much, even if they had custom made muzzles on. She still tended to spook people.

She followed after him closely, not wanting to step out of however big an area his power worked, lest she startle some poor library goer. At the mention of a tour, even a small one, her excitement tripled. No matter how old she got, or how accustomed to American culture she became, she still loved it when people explained things to her.

"I have not! I have been by this area many times, but I was not aware it was a library."

She reached for the list in her pocket, remembering just then that he hadn't appeared to print anything or take notes. They would probably need it. "Oh, do you need this?" She held the paper out to him.

>>"That is very kind of you. Not many bother with thinking such things through these days. Too much on everyone's plate, I suppose."

He smiled and shrugged his shoulders thankfully. ”I do what I can. Personal experience and all that.”

It really hit him hard how much Juliette suffered when he was around. He liked the woman very much. Damn near almost loved her. But the look on her face whenever they spent too much time together and had to part -- it was painful to see. Booker knew then that he couldn’t do this to another mutant so it made him extra cautious when he learned he was around one. With Andrea it was pretty easy to see she was a mutant, as well as the effects of his field. While normally this would cause him to be extra cautious, her calm demeanor and easy smile was enough quell his own fears. She was fine.

As Booker turned and started to lead her, he inquired if she had been to this library before. Her wide eyes and genuine awe of the New York Public Library was enough for him to know she hadn’t been here before.

>>"I have not, unfortunately. Due to certain aspects of my mutation, I tend to stick to only a few places most of the time. I was not aware such a place existed here."

”Oh...he said with genuine surprise.” The New York Public Library was kind of a staple of the city. The marble lions out front practically symbolized the metropolis. He could understand someone with her mutation never coming in, but never even hearing of it? That struck him as odd. But only briefly. Maybe she was more a visitor and not native to the city? That would explain a lot. And, that being the case, she clearly needed the tour.

>>"I have not! I have been by this area many times, but I was not aware it was a library."

Interesting. Booker pushed the thought away and gave her a brilliant smile to match her own. ”Then by all means let me introduce you two.” He grinned. He stopped by a passing stand to pluck out a couple of choice pamphlets. Once he approved of them he handed them off to her. If she was going to learn about this place, then he was going to make sure that it was only the most choice information.

>>"Oh, do you need this?"

They pressed on but not before Andrea stopped him to inquire if she needed her lists of requests. Booker glanced down but shook his head.

Booker shook his head, smiling sweetly. ”Nope!” he said cheerily, tapping the side of his head. ”All locked in here. I know precisely where we are going.” He stopped before choosing a direction. ”Let’s start with Literature, then move our way to Medical items.”

She accepted the pamphlets with honest to goodness glee, before realizing that might be a little immature and trying to cover it up. Still, she flipped through the folded paper slowly trying to cram the information quickly into her head before Booker inevitably re-captured her attention.

She was only slightly surprised at him not needing the list. Some people were better at memorizing things than others, especially when jobs were related. She was learning that still with all constantly changing hospital lingo she had to deal with. "How long have you worked here, Mr. Booker?" She was genuinely curious... and maybe a litter distracted by the scenery as she followed along.

Her phone buzzed in her back pocket. Three distinct vibrations. Her partner with her shelter work was trying to contact her. After fishing the phone out she scrolled through his text messages for a moment before sending a very quick reply back. From what he had told her a larger group than normal had arrived and was looking for services, and he was more than a little overwhelmed.

She didn't want to be rude by jumping on the phone, especially in a library of all places, so she sent him a quick reply back and tucked the phone away again.

... and tried her hardest to ignore it when it went off again... and again... and again. Thank the lord it was on silent. "If you don't mind me asking... was this building always a library? It is... so very big" The front had looked more like a state building, or a museum.

Booker loved the New York Public Library. He had loved it every since he was a kid. He had learned the insides and outs and had made it his busy to always be up to date with it. It was a skill that served him well throughout his schooling and, yes, even helped in landing him this job. Truly this was a man who had found his place in the world and he was more than contented with it. It was reflected upon his features, with the way that he smiled and how his eyes danced with glee at the sight of everything around him; he was a man in love with his work.

As he led Andrea on, more comfortable that he wasn’t making her miserable with his aura, he led the way towards the first stop, but not without grabbing a few of the choice pamphlets for her to leaf through. Eagerly she took them from him and, as she peered through them, he had to smile. It was rare that he met someone who was so interested in library and it was an energy he tried to soak up whenever he could.

>>"How long have you worked here, Mr. Booker?"

”A couple of years now,” he admitted before continuing on. ”I used to work in the college library and stuck with it until I got my degree. By the time I was graduated and had my Master’s in hand, it was pretty simply to apply here. Everyone was so nice and they took a chance because of how enthusiastic I was.” He chuckled at the thought. ”Glad they did though,” he said as he marched up the stairs and stopped to gesture at the view of the marble entry way. ”I could hardly be denied this view from work everyday.”

He smirked as he looked back to her. She certainly seemed inspired by the library but soon enough there were the sounds of careful chirping from her pocket. After a few failed attempts of trying to ignore it, she quickly shot a text back before a look of apology fell across her eyes. There was a no talking on cellphones rule but he would let her slide as they weren’t actually in one of the study areas. Besides, she hardly seemed like a troublemaker so he said nothing on the matter.

They moved on but before he got two steps away, her voice rang out once more...

>> "If you don't mind me asking... was this building always a library? It is... so very big"

He nodded. ”Actually,” he said with interest. ”The original building on this site was the Croton Distributing Reservoir that was established in 1842.” There was such pure knowledge in Booker’s voice that it was hard to not listen to him. ”However when the reservoir became defunct, and the city decided on wanting a more central library, the old reservoir was demolished and this building was erected in its place in 1901.” He smirked as he whispered. ”If you go down to the lower levels, you can actually see some of the original foundation left behind by the Croton Reservoir. Super interesting stuff!” He beamed proudly then turned and led on towards the literature section of the stacks. But not before he glanced back to her. ”Why don’t you tell me a bit about yourself? Are you new to this area?”

The Greek couldn't help but smile. His energy sure was infectious. She listened intently as he spoke, hardly paying attention to her surroundings. She was always surprised how if one listened closely enough one could really hear the similarities between perfect strangers. She liked it. It made it much easier to see past differences and as a great reminder that deep down inside they were all human.

However, when he stopped and mentioned the view, she turned her attention back to the building she was in the process of discovering. Really, it was beautiful. The stone reminded her of other famous places she yearned to visit someday. The style reminiscent of Italy and Greece. Her gaze shifted around as she took it all in, eyes wide and lips slightly parted.

Booker began to explain the history of the building, and to her credit, she managed to follow along for a little while. Her citizenship test had covered some American history, but not enough for her to really feel like she belonged. She had taken it upon herself to learn bit more about the country she now called home. "So... this building is over one hundred years old, then?" The city had quite a few old buildings... but more and more they were steadily vanishing, slowly being replaced with newer things as New York grew and changed.

She reached out to touch some of the stone. Normally she couldn't feel cold or hot, soft or rough... but, now that he powers were nullified, she could. Hesitantly, she moved to take one of her gloves off so she could press it back to the stone.

It was cold. Firm and smooth. a tingle raced up her arm and the little blonde hairs on her arms stood on end. She let her eyes close for just a moment to soak the feeling in, before withdrawing her hand and slipping her glove back on.

"There are sublevels?" Honest surprise laced her voice and she blinked at him. The building was really truly amazing. "Is it strange to say that it looks so much bigger on the inside?"

He asked her about herself and she fidgeted slightly before replying. "I am not." The Greek tucked some hair behind her ear. "Kalispéra, Pos Eísai?" She chuckled slightly. "My accent used to give me away all the time. I am pleased to say I have gotten better over the years."

It had been a while since she had last spoken in her native tongue other than a mutter here or a curse there. It felt good slipping back into old habits even or a moment.

"I am originally from Greece. I came here a few years ago looking for help with how to deal with my mutation, and kind of fell in love with the place." She smiled slightly, "I have been a full citizen only for a short time, and I discover new things every day it seems."

If there was one thing that Booker knew above books it was the history of this library. He loved libraries. It was probably the one good thing that he had received from his parents, a deep love and respect for these gateways to knowledge. Booker carried that with him like a proud badge, one that he would never take off under any circumstances. He loved the library and it showed with the brightness of his smile and the enthusiasm of his words. It was knowledge that he was only too happy to impart to others.

>>"So... this building is over one hundred years old, then?"

He nodded. ”Oh indeed! Impressive isn’t it?” Grinning he pushed on.

>>"There are sublevels? Is it strange to say that it looks so much bigger on the inside?"

Booker chuckled as he turned back around to look over the view. It really was a sight to behold. To see all the marble and the careful work that was put into each and every detail in the library. It was enough to bring anyone a sense of awe. Watching Andrea’s face as she drunk in the experience was honestly the best feeling for him. It meant that he was doing his job right.

As they moved on, he had to inquiry as to her origin. Her general lack of knowledge of one of the most well-known sites in New York City was telling. So he asked if she was new to the city. She seemed a little shy about the answer but easily confessed the veracity of his thoughts.

>>"I am not. Kalispéra, Pos Eísai? My accent used to give me away all the time. I am pleased to say I have gotten better over the years."

He smirked and nodded his head. ”Yeah I wouldn’t have guessed you had an accent until you pointed it out.”

>>"I am originally from Greece. I came here a few years ago looking for help with how to deal with my mutation, and kind of fell in love with the place...I have been a full citizen only for a short time, and I discover new things every day it seems."

A smile grew across his lips. What an interesting young woman. Though Booker respected all mutants, he could see how her particular mutation could indeed be cause for some need of assistance. He couldn’t begin to imagine what it was like to have a mutation that was so she certainly needed to get all the help she could. He could only guess what she found here. Maybe the X-Men? They were there to help mutants everywhere. Surely it would have been a simple enough matter to get in touch with them. They were all about help mutantkind.

But it was heartwarming to know that she found a home here. It allowed the librarian a sense of respect and love for his fellow man. Despite everything, maybe his faith in humanity could be restored.

”Well it warms my heart that you were able to find someplace new to call your home,” he nodded. ”A lot of weird stuff happens here, but I wouldn’t leave it for all the money in the world.” Another pleasing smile and he moved into the book stacks, leading the way towards the literature section of the collection. ”Alright, first stop...Charlotte Bronte!”

It was easy to smile back. Though, it was weird not having nosey snakes pop up to try and investigate what was making her happy. She fiddled with her limp hair for a moment. "I must agree entirely. This city is certainly very strange compared to my home town. So much more... lively. But, I would not change that at all. It is fascinating that each city has it's own personality." She paused for a moment, "Though... I did fit in very well with the people from Wisconsin. No one would tell me why though."

The people of Wisconsin would never tell her that they found her accent and manner of speaking adorable, even if she was the devil personified for some of them. (Sloth was not a fan)

Booker made to move on and she followed, silently cheering to herself the whole way. "I have heard good things about Jane Eyre, and I very much loved 'Villette'. The woman has such a way with words, and an interesting take on romance." The Greek pressed a hand to one cheek, flushing slightly as she thought back to when she'd read through the other novel. They were so much different than the more modern Romance stories. So much more... sweet.

"I have also been told to check out 'Pride and Prejudice', but I fear the co-worker who told me of it may have been confused about my interests. I am generally not a fan of zombie stories."

She'd looked it up online. Not the kind of book she tended to read.