It’s going to take nothing short of sacrificing a virgin to save you.”
“At least we know your life won’t be at risk!” I yell over my shoulder.
My co-workers throw me funny glances during my shift at the library. Kelly went a little overboard on the shimmering eyeshadow and revealing outfit. When she left our room, I grabbed a bright chevron scarf to wear over her low-cut shirt. I feel more at home in one of my favorite concert t-shirts, a pair of worn jeans, and my Vans. At least I was able to talk her into braiding my hair off to the side so I feel somewhat normal.
It’s nearly five when my gut goes wild. I have no idea how much Adam had to drink when we met. Maybe he’s actually one of those who can be loaded and hide it really well. Maybe he’ll change his mind and decide he’s not interested in seeing me again.
My supervisor, Felicia, watches me from behind the front desk as I sort through returned books. She rests her chin on her hand, pointing a pencil my way. “You’re awfully chipper for once, and you’re dressed like one of those preppy assholes. Should I be researching signs of alien abductions?”
“Can’t a girl just be filled with unbridled bliss by her thankless job?”
“No. Either you’re fearful that you’re going to turn into a fairy with all that junk on your eyes, or you’re just incredibly eager for something.” She lowers her dark framed glasses to the bridge of her crooked nose like an old librarian, even though she’s just a year older than me. “Which is it?”
“I’m just meeting someone,” I say, feeling a wide grin creep across my lips. “It’s no big deal.” I grab a tissue from the counter and blot lightly at my eyes, hoping to lessen the look without completely ruining it. Kelly’s skilled at using makeup, but sometimes she likes a little too much flash for anything that doesn’t involve a Broadway production.
“No big deal,” Felicia repeats, snorting. “I wish someone would get that excited about meeting with me. You should smile like that more often. It makes you really hot.”
“You know I don’t swing that way. Women are too complicated.”
“Maybe you don’t swing my way, but I’m guessing that guy watching you from the reading section will follow whichever way it is you’re going.” Pushing her glasses back up to her face, she continues typing, her straight brown hair blocking what I’m sure is a smart-assed grin. “You should go over and tell him about our ‘no lewd glances at hot librarians’ rule.”
I spin around to the area designated for casual reading. Adam’s gray eyes light up when our gazes meet and his dimples slowly deepen. Meeting his smile, my spirits soar.
He’s just as gorgeous as I remember, and just as easy-going.
“Hole. E. Shit,” I whisper without moving my lips.
Felicia grumbles something about ditzy blondes under her breath.
I lower the books from my arms to the portable cart and calmly cross over to where he sits at a table by himself, wearing loose cargo pants and a white button down with thin gray stripes that make his eyes pop even more. He’s freshly shaven, and even smells like expensive aftershave.
Dear Lord. By the light of day, he’s even more amazing.
“So you’ve quit school, yet here you are in the campus library.” I feel like my cheeks will split in half from smiling so broadly. “Can’t seem to quiet your inner geek?”
Leaning back in the chair until the front feet are off the ground, he sets a book on the table in front of him. My stomach flutters excitedly when I realize there’s a bookmark in the new Dean Koontz novel, like it’s something he’s actually reading. I’ve never really known a guy who reads for fun. The types of guys I’ve dated are more into ESPN and Hooters.
Like he really needed another thing to make him even hotter.
“Couldn’t help myself,” he says with a maddening grin. “I wanted to see you in your element.” He motions to my hair. “The braid totally completes the whole librarian image.”
Lightly patting my hair, I giggle. “It’s not too Katniss Everdeen?”
“Not at all.” He sets the chair legs back down and rests a hand under his chin, studying me closely. After checking me out from head to toe, he meets my gaze, smirking. “You look incredible.”
A lump rises in my throat with his compliment. I want to tell him this isn’t what I would normally wear, but I take the compliment as is. “And you could pass for someone with an invigorating future.”
His eyes flicker to the dotted ceiling. “If only my parents could see me now.” Heavy sarcasm weighs in his words like they wouldn’t approve of him, no matter what he did.