❝My coworker gave me this book…❞ She shifts awkwardly, avoiding eye contact with the woman as she pulls the aforementioned item out of her bag. ❝I like romance, but I don't think this quite suits my needs… Not that I read romance for any one specific reason it's just a genre I happen to find quite grand.❞ She coughed awkwardly, handing the book to Mer. ❝Perhaps you'll find this more appealing. It's about a very... 'intense' romance between a selkie and a human woman.❞ (i apologize to mer in advance)
"What is making you so weird?" Yet, the hair on Mer's neck rose to the sudden shift in the air. She wanted to stare Aileen down and demand an explanation for the awkwardness, but took the book without a moment's hesitation.
"Is this not a romance-" The image on cover finally registered, hitting her like a physical blow. It slapped her not once, but everything she peeked at the cover. It was so damning, she had to turn the book over.
Her cheeks burned as she scanned the blurb, fanning herself as she is left utterly speechless. "Wh-what would make you think I would-" She struggled to find the words to this."I-I...I'll read it."
Am I freaky? Mer wondered, her mind racing to the image she has given of herself. But, her French pride has won. She'd try anything at least once.















