Chapter Five

Joy

The clock ticks so loud in this damn library, it's impossible to ignore. I glance up at it every five minutes, waiting for the end of my shift like a kid waiting for recess. The day has dragged on and I've been dealing with patrons who think the library is just a giant living room where they can talk as loud as they want. If I have to shush one more group of giggling undergrads, I might scream.

"Joy, you need to get those reshelves done now, not whenever you feel like it."

That would be my boss, Rachel, a 40-something woman with zero patience and a permanent scowl etched into her face. She's got this way of making you feel like you've done something wrong even when you haven't. I force a smile, keeping my frustration in check.

"I'll get right on it, Rachel," I say, knowing damn well I've been doing everything on time all day. I grab the cart full of books and wheel it toward the stacks, the squeak of the wheels echoing through the aisles.

As I start putting books back in their places, I think about how Steven is picking me up again today. I've been buzzing with excitement ever since he told me he'd get me after my shift. The past two days have been the highlight of my week, getting to ride home with him, sitting so close, feeling the tension between us even when we're not saying much.

Ever since that moment in his office two days ago, it's like I can't stop thinking about him. Every glance, every smile, every accidental brush of his hand makes me want him more. I've never felt this way about anyone. It's like my whole body wakes up when I'm around him. The way he looks at me like he's fighting not to kiss me every second, has me craving more.

I shake my head, trying to focus on shelving the last few books. No use getting lost in daydreams about him when I still have an hour left of work. But it's hard not to think about him, especially when I know I'll see him soon.

Just as I finish up the last of my tasks, Kate, my co-worker and fellow library indentured servant, walks over, looking frazzled as usual. She's always got some drama going on, whether it's with school or her boyfriend.

"Ugh, you would not believe the fucking fight I had with Brandon last night," she starts, leaning against the cart like she's about to collapse from emotional exhaustion.

I give her a sympathetic look, even though I know we're about to get deep into her latest relationship saga. "What happened this time?"

"We were supposed to go out for dinner—he promised! But then, at the last minute, he cancels because he wants to hang out with his friends. Like, seriously? I swear, he cares more about them than he does about me sometimes. I'm so over it."

I nod along, but my thoughts are elsewhere. Kate's relationship is a constant mess and I'm honestly glad I'm not dealing with anything like that. Brandon sounds like a jerk half the time. Meanwhile, I've got Steven and even though nothing's official yet, it feels so different. He's nothing like the immature guys my age who seem to only care about themselves. Steven's attentive, thoughtful, and well, let's be honest, he's hot too.

"That sucks, Kate," I say, grabbing another book and sliding it onto the shelf. "Maybe you guys need to have a serious talk about what you both want. If he's not putting in the effort, then it's not worth it."

Kate sighs, shaking her head. "Yeah, I know. I just wish he'd realize I'm not some damn afterthought. Anyway, what about you? You've been weirdly giddy lately—what's going on in your love life? I bet it's way more exciting than mine."

I bite my lip, trying not to blush. She has no idea about Steven and I'm not ready to spill all the details just yet. Especially since things are still complicated. I can't risk anybody in town knowing before I have the chance to tell my dad. That would be disastrous.

"Oh, you know," I say vaguely, pretending to focus on organizing the cart. "Nothing major. Just busy with school and work."

Kate narrows her eyes at me like she knows I'm holding something back. "Sure, okay. But if there's anything juicy, you better tell me soon. I live for that stuff."

I laugh it off,, knowing I'll have to tell her eventually. But not today. Today, I'm keeping Steven to myself.

The rest of my shift crawls by at a snail's pace and I'm counting down the minutes until I can clock out. When the time finally comes, I practically race to the back room, grabbing my bag and waving a quick goodbye to Kate, who's still ranting about Brandon.

I step outside into the crisp evening air, and there he is—Steven, leaning against his truck, looking as rugged and handsome as ever. My heart does this little flip and I can't help but grin. Just seeing him makes me feel lighter like the world isn't so bad after all.

He spots me and smiles, that warm, easy smile that makes my stomach flutter. I walk over, trying to play it cool, but I know my excitement is written all over my face.

"Hey, you," I say, my voice coming out a little breathless.

"Hey yourself," he replies, opening the passenger door for me. "Ready to go?"

I nod, climbing into the truck and settling into the seat. The smell of leather and Steven fills the air and I let out a happy sigh. It feels like home.

But just as he starts the engine, he throws me a sideways glance, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips. "We're not going home, by the way."

I blink, turning to face him. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, we're going on a date. And before you ask, no, I'm not telling you where we're going. It's a surprise."

A date? My heart skips a beat. He's taking me on a date. My mind races with a million questions, but all I can do is stare at him, stunned and excited all at once. "A surprise, huh?" I say, trying to act casual, even though my insides are doing cartwheels.

"Yup," he says, pulling out of the parking lot and onto the road. "You're just going to have to trust me."

I don't even hesitate. "I trust you."

He glances at me again, and there's something in his eyes, something soft and serious, that makes my pulse quicken. "Good," he says, his voice low. "Because I've been wanting to do this for a while."

I swallow, my throat suddenly dry. The way he says it like he's been waiting for this just as much as I have, sends a shiver down my spine. I can't believe this is happening. Steven, the man I've wanted for so long, is finally taking me on a date.

We drive in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the soft hum of the engine and the sound of the tires on the road filling the space between us. I keep stealing glances at him, my heart swelling with affection. He looks so at ease, one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting casually on the center console. Every now and then, his fingers tap the beat of the music playing softly from the radio and I feel this overwhelming urge to reach out and take his hand.

I don't though. Not yet. Instead, I turn my attention to the road ahead, trying to guess where he's taking me. We've passed the usual route home and now we're driving through a quieter part of town, where the streets are lined with trees and the houses are spaced farther apart.

"Are you going to give me any hints?" I ask, breaking the silence.

He chuckles, shaking his head. "Nope."

I pout, crossing my arms in mock frustration. "Not even a tiny one?"

"Not even a tiny one," he says, grinning at me.

"Fine. Be mysterious, then," I say, pretending to be annoyed, even though I'm secretly loving every second of this.

He glances over at me again, his smile softening. "Trust me, it'll be worth the wait."

I bite my lip, trying to keep my cool, but it's hard when he's looking at me like that—like I'm the only thing that matters in this moment. I've never felt like this before, this combination of excitement and nervousness all rolled into one. It's like being on the edge of something big, something life-changing, and I can't wait to see where it takes us.

"So," I say, trying to keep the conversation light, "what made you decide to take me on a date tonight? Not that I'm complaining."

Steven shrugs, his eyes still on the road. "I've been thinking about it for a while. I figured it was time to stop waiting around and just go for it."

My heart skips again. He's been thinking about this, about me. It's still hard to wrap my head around the fact that Steven, the man I've wanted for so long, feels the same way about me. It's like a dream, one I'm scared to wake up from.

"I'm glad you did," I say softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

He glances at me and for a moment, his expression is so serious, so full of emotion, that it takes my breath away. "Me too," he says, his voice low and sincere.

We drive in silence again, but this time, it's charged with anticipation. My mind races with possibilities, my heart pounding in my chest as I imagine what this night will bring.

I don't know where we're going or what's going to happen, but for the first time in a long time, I feel like everything is exactly as it should be.