"River, we're all rea- What are you doing?!" The Doctor saw what she held and ran into the room, panicking.
"'A Gentleman's Guide to Romance'? Really?" She smirked at him, had to tease him. She couldn't give up teasing him over something like this.
"Where did you get that?" His voice started getting higher as he turned bright red.
"Oh, I found it down the cushions of the chair. You really need a new place to hide books, sweetie." She laughed. "I'd always thought, 'No, the Doctor would never read a book like this.' Not you. I see you've proven me wrong. You never cease to surprise me."
The Doctor brought a hand to his face, lightly smacking his forehead like he usually does when flustered. How did she always know? Did this mean she'd found her birthday present, too? "Give it back!"
She ignored him, seemed to be enjoying this too much. "I don't blame you; it is quite a good read, very interesting." She flipped back a page, quoting the book. "Oh, here's my favorite part: 'The way to impress a lady is through the little things, the sweet things like letting her relax while you prepare something nice, taking her to her favorite restaurant, wearing your old wedding attire, or even just holding her hand.'"
As River laughed, the Doctor reddened even more, rushing over to where she sat. "Give that back!"
"Not until I'm done reading!"
He reached over and took the book, but as he started to walk away with it, he tripped over her shoes, which had been lying abandoned in the middle of the floor. She laughed and immediately jumped up, seizing the opportunity, and grabbed the book back from him.
"If you don't give that back right now," the Doctor paused, thinking. "I… I'll… I won't take you to Venice!"
"Fine. I do own a vortex manipulator, you know."
"Don't make me get your diary!"
Instead of giving back the book in a panic like he thought would happen, she just smiled. "You wouldn't read it. It's your rule: 'Spoilers!'"
"Please, River! I just wanted to make a nice dinner for you and then go out somewhere. You make it so hard!"
"Fine," she sighed mockingly, drawing out her words. "You win."
She handed back the book and he made her leave the room as he carefully placed it back on the shelf, promising himself that he would later throw it into the time vortex. He met River at the TARDIS console and linked her arm through his.
"Ready now?" she teased.
"Yes, dear," he said, bantering back.
Venice would be nice. Last time he had gotten kicked out of the town by a group of aliens, so hopefully he would be able to keep them out of trouble. This time.