Sera laughed, light and airy. "No communism," she agreed with a nod. She paused for a moment as she tried to describe the books. She had never said something like this out loud to a man. It was a struggle to find the words, but she did not think that Mr. Flourish would judge her. He was the one who sold the books, after all, and he had not balked at her allusions. She could be more direct than she was comfortable with. Wasn't that the point of being awake?

"I suppose one could describe them as romantic," Sera said after a beat. She drummed her fingers against the back of the chair. "But — more involved than your typical romance novel. Does that help you catch my meaning?"