God, Shane was such a dork! Claire couldn't help letting out a sad sounding laugh at his book remark. "You are such a dork sometimes," she voiced her thoughts as she shook her head at him. "I doubt it is hidden in a book. Not everything can be found in books, as much as it pains me to admit."
Claire loved her books. That was no secret and quite evident from a number of books already living in her room.
"We'll figure it out. Now that you are here I have someone to boss around while I do all the research," she wrinkled her nose in mild amusement. Yeah, she still looked like she was about to cry, but she was sounding a bit better. After a moment, she stood up on her toes so she could press a very innocent kiss to Shane's cheek. That action alone made her cheeks flush as if she had done something way more indecent.
"Your food is going to get cold, Shane. Pasta is honestly better if you eat it while hot."
She didn't want to let go of him. He was real and comforting, even while smelling like that horrible fire. Now that Shane was here maybe the others would follow and they'd have a whole group again. They would all be better off in Salem then in Morganville. In Salem they didn't have a Founder trying to kill them or keep them alive, they were free of all that. With a faint sigh, she finally pulled her arms free of the hug. "Eat, Shane. Please."
A sad smile and she was back to sitting on the edge of her bed.