“Thank you all for coming tonight, everyone,” she says as she waves and starts to walk away from the podium. I continue to watch her as she scans the crowd, taking in all the faces in front of her. But when her green eyes slam into mine, my chest tightens and my breath catches in my throat. Her startled green eyes quickly look away as she walks towards a woman and begins talking.
I continue to stare at her, watching her, as she chats with townsfolk. She glances up once and my equally surprised eyes lock with hers. I couldn’t look away from her if I tried. She quickly diverts her attention back to those she’s speaking with. I turn back towards Maddox; the smiling, very smug face of my best friend.
“See something you like, my friend?”
“Screw you. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mumble.
“Sure you don’t,” he says as he slaps my back and chuckles. “Just so you know, I said the same thing when I was fighting my feelings for your sister.” And with that he turns and walks away.
I stand there for a moment, watching his retreating back as he heads towards another group of people. Out of all the people in Rivers Edge, I finally find someone that I can’t get out of my head. Someone who invades my thoughts day and night. Someone who, apparently, still hates my guts. Erin Anderson. What the hell do I do now?
Chapter Two
Erin
It’s been the longest night of shaking hands and making small talk. There are only a few faces I actually remember from all those years ago when I lived that short time in Rivers Edge. But of all those faces, the one I remember the most was staring at me half the night: Jake Stevens.
I’ve managed to avoid him over the last couple of months since my arrival in town. Well, with the exception of that time in the grocery store. He didn’t even remember who I was. That should tell me exactly what kind of person he is. He doesn’t care whose life he tried to ruin in school. Okay, so maybe I’m being a little dramatic. Fine. But seeing Jake tonight - in my library of all places - has my stomach all in knots and my brain a little out of whack.
I decide to help the caterers clean up the messes on the tables and around on the bookshelves that was left by all the residents of Rivers Edge who stopped by tonight. Honestly, I am a little surprised by the amount of people who showed up. I remember how grumpy and impersonal Mabel Masterson was when I was in school here twenty years ago, and she definitely hasn’t changed any. I’ve spent the past two months learning the ins and outs of the library from her. Getting her to talk to me was like pulling teeth. I guess I’m just going to have to learn as I go. Trial by fire? No problem. I’m up for it!
As I drag the garbage can to the next table, I catch bits and pieces of a conversation behind me. I know whose voice it is but I choose at this moment to ignore him. If I don’t acknowledge him, maybe he’ll just go away?
“Hey, Erin. Good to see you again. I know I’ve said it before, but welcome back to Rivers Edge.” I turn to face Maddox Jackson who is sliding his coat on, apparently ready to head out the door. He’s standing with a few guys who look familiar, but I can’t think of their names, and Jake.
“Thanks for coming, Maddox. I’ll see you around,” I say as I turn back to the table I’m clearing.
I hear Jake say good-bye to his friends, but don’t turn around again to see who from the group is actually leaving. Don’t turn around. Don’t you dare turn around.
“So, a librarian, huh?”
Don’t turn around. “Yep,” I say, still trying to focus all of my attention on clearing the plates and cups from the table.
“I can see that about you.”
“What does that mean?” I ask defensively as I whip around to face him. I didn’t realize how close he was to me. We’re standing barely a foot apart. My eyes go wide with the realization that we’re so close. I look up and up into his stunning blue eyes. He’s taller than I remember him, definitely over six feet. Depending on what shoes I’m wearing or whether or not you’re looking at my driver’s license, I’m just a handful of inches over the five foot mark. My hands fling to my hips, taking a defiant stance, ready to do battle with Jake Stevens.
“Nothing,” he says with both arms up as if waving the white flag in surrender. “I just meant that I could see you as a librarian. You always liked reading and books.”
I turn my attention back to the table I was clearing. “You know nothing about me, Jake.”
He sighs and is quiet for a few moments. I start to think maybe he has gotten the hint and walked away. “You’re right. I know nothing about you. Anymore. I used to know you.”