Derek was a little startled at the sudden hug and rush of emotion, though he caught her and tentatively patted her back soothingly, still a tad bit stunned at the force of her gratitude but glad he could help and make someone feel so thankful.
She hunched her shoulders up a little. It felt strange to be walking around in slightly-too-large clothing, the weight of her damp hair heavy on her head. Coming over to the edge of the bed, she picked up his book, reading the cover and then the back of it. That was a weight that felt right, the smoothness of the pages and gloss of the cover under her fingertips. Regretfully, she put it back down.
Derek watched as she walked over and picked his book up. She looked like it was a good thing and when she set it back down her face looked a little sad. “Do you like reading? I have more books. I don’t read some of them, but I’ve got a couple shelves with books you could look at.”
She looked up at him sharply, eyes wide and the beginnings of a smile on her face — and then the motion made the towel on her head unwind, and wet red hair spilled over her face and shoulder. She peeled the strands off her face, eyes crinkling in a silent laugh. Rescuing the towel from the floor, she carried it back to the bathroom and hung it up properly, before returning to pick up the book again. She lifted it at Derek, and made hopeful eyes.