The Prince and the Bookworm

Chapter 55

"It's kind of fitting, don't you think?" Mark asked once a lull in our conversation had been reached. I looked up from my plate of eggs, lifting an eyebrow. 

"What is?" 

"That your family business just happens to be a bookstore. I know how much you love reading." 

"Yeah." I muttered under my breath. "Super fitting." I tried to give him my best smile, but I was pretty sure my monotonous voice gave away what I was really thinking. 

His observation had been completely random. I knew the only reason he had said it was to keep conversation going, but I couldn't help but be annoyed that he hadn't just gotten down to the point of what this whole thing was about. 

Mark had invited me to breakfast earlier that morning. When I received the text from him I was equal parts confused and reluctant, but my mom practically forced me to go. She said it was a great chance for the two of us to bond. 

But unless awkward silence and pointless small talk counted, there was absolutely no bonding going on whatsoever. As I fixed my gaze on Mark, I noticed that he was fidgeting slightly in his chair. Every once in awhile, he would run his fingers through his perfectly groomed hair, messing it up in the process. 

The signs that he was nervous were obvious, but part of me was still hesitant to ask what was wrong. Mark was never one to get nervous. I wasn't sure what he really wanted to talk about but it definitely wasn't the bookstore. 

"So," he started yet again, pushing aside his french toast sticks. "What kind of books do you enjoy?" 

"Mark, I'm pretty sure you didn't take me out to breakfast to talk about books." The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. I didn't want to seem pushy, but at the same time I was never one to be interested in small talk as an excuse to beat around the bush. 

Either you had something to say to me or you didn't. 

It's pretty simple really. 

Mark seemed taken aback by my sudden bluntness but he covered it up by chuckling quietly and fixing me with a humorous glance. 

"It's that obvious, huh?" 

I shrugged nonchalantly. "I would say no but that would be a lie." 

"All right." Mark sighed, holding his hands up in the air. "You got me. Any guesses as to why I really dragged you here?" 

I felt my cheeks turn pink as realized what he was implying. "Y-you didn't drag me here." I denied with a quick shake of my head. "I mean I was happy to-"

"It's okay, Sadie." Mark cut me off with a kind smile before I was able to aimlessly babble anymore. "I know that isn't how you would have preferred to spend your Saturday morning." 

"That obvious, huh?" I asked quietly, wondering when exactly our roles in the conversation had been completely reversed. Before he even opened his mouth, I knew what he would say next. 

"I would say no but that would be a lie." 

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat before giving him a sheepish smile. It was pretty common knowledge that I wasn't a social butterfly. Whenever I'm hanging out with someone, there's probably a 99% chance that I'd rather be in my bed reading a book. Despite that, it wasn't the best feeling when you got called out on it. 

"I get it. I'm your mom's boyfriend. I'm not high on the list of people you want to hang out." His tone was soft and full of understanding. That would have made any normal person feel better but it only made me feel worse.