He followed her to the sitting area and hesitated. She'd left the space next to her open, but he didn't want to seem too forward. Of course, taking a different seat might be seen as insulting if she was being bold and leaving it deliberately open for him. He stepped over by her, to the empty right side of the couch, and picked up a plate, settling himself down next to her. Not gingerly--he didn't want to give off the impression of awkwardness or hesitation on his part, didn't want to make Beauty feel uncomfortable by extension. By acting nonchalant and relaxed, he hoped to make the atmosphere likewise relaxed.
"Thank you," he said again. "He seems to have been a prolific one." He'd read several of that particular author's works so far, but every few weeks it seemed he found another. It was always a pleasant surprise. "Did any of the new ones catch your eye?"