Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

JAY

Since meeting Nina at the beach the other day, she hasn’t left my thoughts. I know it’s way too soon to be feeling any type of way, but my romance books tell me differently. They tell me, when you know you know . They tell me your heart will flutter, you’ll get hot and the word MINE will bounce around your brain.

Something tells me if I was to tell Nina she was mine, she’d slap me upside the head with a book.

Chuckling to myself, I continue to work when Maverick throws a shoulder into me. “What's so funny, dream boy?”

Rolling my eyes at his nickname, I say, “Nothing. Just remembering something is all.”

“Hm. I bet you’ve been remembering the new librarian over and over again in the shower haven’t you?”

I want to be mad but all that comes out is another laugh, and he exclaims, “Ha! I knew it. Jay, I’ve known you since we were four years old. She’s got a chokehold on your thoughts-”

“And his dick!” Wes interjects.

“And that’s okay! It’s about time you’ve sat up and taken notice of someone.” Maverick shakes his head. “That ex bitch, I won’t even say her name, cannot continue keeping you from meeting anyone new.”

“I don't know why you all think she’s still on my mind.”

“Because you haven’t dated since her,” Maverick points out.

“I’ve been on dates–”

“Not good ones.” Wes says.

Brushing him off, I explain, “I’m just saying, I’m selective now. She taught me a lot at a young age, what I’ll put up, what I won’t and what I hope to have in a relationship. Our parents set the bar high, Wes. Don’t you want a love like theirs?”

“I could never be as good as our dads are.” Wes says quietly and I know that’s his downfall. Failure. He’s afraid of failing so he puts up a front to never get there.

“You guys are getting me all choked up.” Maverick fake cries and we both rush him. “Hey! Hey!” he laughs. “Come on, I’m just messing with you. Listen, it’s clear you like her, so get to know her. She’s new here, take her out. If she’s friends with Hazel, we already know she's good people, so go for it. You’re easy to talk to, easy to like. What do you have to lose?”

He’s right. I’ve been content with my life but it has become stagnant. Then all it took was one glance at Nina and the fire came racing through my veins. It was like I reawakened to things I’ve been missing for years.

A good woman. An amazing love. I deserve that.

A soft voice carries through the vents and we all freeze.

“It’s like she’s calling to you, man.” Wes snickers and Maverick nods enthusiastically.

“I think you should send us home and go talk to her.” Maverick says.

I laugh again. “You just want to cut out early.”

“Yes” they reply in unison.

“Fine. Go.”

“We’re only leaving if you agree to go talk to her.”

“Oh, I’m going,” I say with a wink. “Don’t you worry.”

I quickly make my way to the second floor hoping she’s still there, and the closer I get, I hear her words loud and clear.

And they’re fucking turning me on.

“I lap at the pre-cum dripping from the end of his dick, humming appreciatively. “Mmm…you taste so good…””

I hear her gasp and I turn the corner just in time to see her slam the book closed. I watch her closely, taking note of her rapid breaths and flushed skin.

Is she turned on, too?

“That was something,” I say quietly as I lean against the door and watch her.

She jumps, her face reddening further as she gasps, “You shouldn’t be spying on me.”

“I’m not spying. I figured you were here and came to say hi.”

“Mm.”

I walk in, checking out the chalkboard with the events and book club, giving her time to compose herself. “Is this the new lineup?”

She comes and stands next to me as I pull one of the copies from the shelf. “Yes, Mrs. Holly put everything up for the next three months. We’ll be making our way through Bella Valentino’s backlist.”

“Have you read her?”

“I have a while back,” she replies as she lightly touches the books on the shelf. “None of her new stuff though.”

“You don’t read anymore?”

“I’m just trying to get a hold of,” She pauses and waves her hands around the room before continuing, “all of this. I wasn’t told I’d have to read aloud or run a book club.”

“Would you have taken the job if you knew?”

She mulls the question over in her head, then turns her back to me, walking to place the book on the shelf. “Are you done working? It’s still hot in here.”

“It's hotter where I'm standing.” She pauses then turns to me with fire in her eyes.

“Mrs. Holly told me about you. Do you get all your lines from books?” She stands with her hands on her hips, bringing my attention to all of her curves.

I bark out a laugh. “I knew that woman would out me. That makes four.”

“Four?”

“Four people who know I like to read. Unless she’s told others and sworn them to secrecy.”

“Something tells me there are no secrets in Magnolia Point.”

I shrug. “I know a couple.”

She eyes me. “I bet I do too.”

I eye her for a moment, Wes and Maverick’s words replay in my mind. I’ve got to go all in. “Okay know-it-all, do you know how many shots are in the margaritas at Just In Queso?”

Imagine my surprise when she says, “Let's go find out.”