love woven through pages

1

'12:34' ; displays on my phone screen when I tap it to check the time. I've been here since the crack of dawn, nothing new since the bookstore's opening. Other people begin to step foot into the store, signifying that my peaceful reading time is over. I grasp two more pages to finish reading before I leave.

"Why don't you ever buy the books you read?" Mari inquires, propping her chin on her right hand as she peers at me over her counter.

At the question, I press my lips into a thin line. I've only secured myself a part time job a week ago to earn some additional quid that'll support my college funds, so apart from the real necessities, my spending budget is pretty nonexistent.

"Can't afford to." I sigh, placing the book back onto the shelf after making a mental note of the page number I left off.

Turning to leave, a female that has been listening keenly onto the conversation obstructs my way.

"Uh, excuse me." I mumble, squeezing past her figure.
"What book were you reading?"
"What?" I pause, looking back at her, in doubt that she was directing her question at me.

Then again, the two of us are the only ones in the aisle so there's not anyone else it could be.

"'Persuasion'." I point at the book that has enveloped itself, camouflaged between the other similarly coloured covers beside it.
"Fan of Jane Austen?"
"Yep."

She breaks into a smile, making her more attractive than I had already found her at first glance.

"Makes the two of us. Would you let me buy it for you?"
"Sorry?" I blink.
"I'll buy it for you."

Is this some sort of joke- I stand in a daze for a moment, processing if she meant what I think she meant.

"No, it's.. fine." Swallowing my desperation, I front my humbleness instead.
"You sure? seemed like you really wanted it.."
"I don't even know you- How do I know you're not scheming an evil mastermind plan?"

She cracks another smile, this time revealing her perfect teeth that sit straight like a fence of little pearls.

"You know how people buy people drinks at bars? Since we're at a bookstore, I'll buy you that book instead."
"It's really fine. I can't possibly accept such a generous offer-"
"Shh, do you want it or not?"