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 huffed a little, making a scolding face at him, and picked up the book he’d been reading before. She pushed it into his hands, took the book she wanted to read, and pointedly flopped back down. Rolling over on to her stomach, she swung her feet up into the air and planted her chin on her hands, giving him a wide, innocent smile.
Derek rolled his eyes as she resettled, his own book in his hands again. He got onto the bed and laid against the pillows, opening to his part he’d been reading and continuing on.
Summer rolled her eyes right back, her mischievous smile giving the impression of a giggle, and opened her own book. She was a restless reader, never taking her eyes off the pages, but constantly rolling over on one side or the other, flopping from back to front. After a little while, about halfway through the book, she fell asleep. The book lay where her hands had lowered, half over her face.