Violet was in her element, surrounded by towering shelves and the scent of old pages. She had tucked herself into one of the reading nooks near the back, her latest novel resting open in her lap.

Then, a sound—a hesitant step nearby. Someone reaching for a book, fingers brushing against the pages as if considering their next escape.

She looked up.

They were standing at the shelf opposite her, scanning titles, seemingly unaware they’d caught her attention.

A small, knowing smile played on her lips. “You’re overthinking it. Just pick one.”

They turned, brows raising slightly.

Violet shrugged. “Books are like people. Sometimes the best ones are the ones you don’t expect.”

And just like that, the silence between them wasn’t so heavy anymore.