“So, did you want audiobook recommendations or music? To be quite frank, I don’t think I’m qualified to give recommendations on music. Especially music to run to. If it were me, the theme song to Jaws would get me going. Or the intro music to The Walking Dead. I’d run like Forrest freaking Gump then.”

“Not a fan?”

“Of Jaws or The Walking Dead? Or of running?”

“Pick one.”

“All three, really.”

I laughed again. “Okay, I’ll pick my own music. What are your expert recommendations for audiobooks?”

“Well, given the titles you’ve already chosen, I have a few. If you want classic, you could do The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis. Or if you want something more contemporary, a little dark but riveting, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.”

“Completely fine? That’s hardly a glowing review.”

He snorted. “That’s the name of the book. It’s quite compelling, but it isn’t for everyone. I’d suggest skimming some reviews for some trigger issues.” Then he paused. “Do you? Have trigger issues? Because I could recommend a whole catalogue of lighter-themed books; there are thousands. I probably should have asked that before—”

“No, it’s fine. I don’t have any triggers. I’m not into erotica. I don’t knock it at all, it’s just not my thing.” I scrubbed my hand over my face. “You know why.”

“For asexual reasons.”

That made me smile. “Yeah.” Then I sighed. “Okay, so if you were to download an audiobook right now, which one would you choose?”

“Oh, probably The Odyssey or Atlas Shrugged. Maybe even some Dickens or Hemingway.”

“You really love it, don’t you?”

“I do. Though for a rainy weekend, I’d probably prefer to savour one of my favourites in book form on the couch. So for a commute or the like, I’d probably choose something from the bestsellers list or the editor’s choice. Something sci-fi or historical.”

I smiled at how passionate he was about his industry, and just imagining him curled up on a couch with a book made my chest all tight. “Sounds perfect.”

“I better let you go,” he said. “For your run.”

“Yeah, I probably should, before it gets too dark and cold. But I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s question. Yours this time, not Angus’. Not that I don’t think they’re good questions, I’d just rather hear your mind in action.”

He was quiet a moment, then spoke softly. “I’m looking forward to it too.”

“And I’m glad you called.”

There was a brief pause, like neither of us wanted to say goodbye or for this conversation to end. “Tomorrow, then.”

“Tomorrow.”