Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

NINA

It’s been three days since my date with Jay and I can’t stop thinking about him.

What everyone said about him is absolutely true. He’s a sweetheart. He’s a hard worker. And he’s damn fucking sexy.

I could’ve died a happy woman hearing him whisper words of filth to me. It unlocked a new feeling inside of me. Where I’ve always felt second rate or unseen, suddenly he made me feel like a desired woman.

I’m twenty-seven years old, have had one relationship that was one-sided and a string of first dates that left me feeling like I would never find a partner in life. I felt like I poisoned my own mind by filling it with grandeurs of book boyfriends and happily ever afters’ that in this day and age, just doesn't seem to exist.

I’m also worried that I’m getting ahead of myself. Just because we had one date that was fun, doesn’t mean every date will be this way. It doesn’t mean I’m cured of feeling like there’s no one for me. And it certainly doesn’t mean that I can jump in head-first with Jay.

Which means I need to reel it back in. I need to get my emotions under control. I’ve just uprooted my life, started over in a new town with a new job, and met a lot of new people so I need to be realistic, and not lead with emotions.

Today is the first day of the Romance Book Club at the library. I purposely didn’t look at the sign up numbers. If the numbers were low, I’d feel like no one wants to see me, and if the numbers were high, I’d fret over all those people watching me. So best to just let it happen, and hopefully get through it without a catastrophe.

I’m up in the Read Me, Baby room when people begin to file in. We’ve set up extra chairs, but the couches and blankets are in use. Pillows are on the floor and the candy and drinks are fully stocked.

Mrs. Holly enters the room and the chatter grows louder. Everyone loves her. I’m glad she’s still here, at least for this first event.

She comes over to me where I’m nervously flipping the pages back and forth. “Oh, dear, what are you doing to that book?” She laughs. “You’ve broken the spine!”

I begin fanning myself with it. “It’s really hot in here. Why isn’t that air conditioning unit working yet?”

She raises a brow and gives me a knowing look as she chuckles. “Seems our Jay has been a bit behind schedule lately.”

I shake my head. “Can we just get this started? I think the sooner it’s over, the sooner I’ll be able to breathe again.”

“You’re going to be fine. Now, come. Let me introduce you.”

We move to the front of the room and I see almost fifty people filling the place. The designated area is not a big space, but everyone has packed in with a book in hand, all smiles and hopeful eyes.

“Good morning, everyone!” Mrs. Holly says warmly. “I’m so glad to see such an amazing turnout. I know how this town loves their love stories, so I think we’ve picked both the perfect book and the perfect girl to read it.”

The town claps and all of a sudden I hear a slight tapping on the pipes. Mrs. Holly side eyes me but continues. “Without further ado, I’m so happy to introduce to you Nina Amoré! She comes to us from Georgia, and I know she will be the perfect fit for all of us.”

I step forward and wave, feeling awkward as they all look at me expectantly. “Thank you all for being here. This is quite overwhelming so please bear with me as I get used to you all and I ask for grace as you all get used to me.” The crowd laughs and I hold up my book. “I’m excited to read this with you all. Bella Valentino is a favorite of mine and I’m excited to get caught up on her new stuff.”

The banging on the pipes is back and I try to keep my smile at bay as Mrs. Holly states coyly, “I think someone else knows a perfect girl when they see one, too.”

I narrow my eyes at her but she just returns my look with a sly smile, and then I step away and grab the small stool, moving it back to the front of the room and slide on it. I watch as Mrs. Holly grabs the last copy from the shelf and sits in a chair to the left of me.

“Mrs. Holly, you’re staying?”

“Of course, dear. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

I chuckle. “You’re here more now that you’re retired.”

“I'm just curious as to how the story ends.” She gives me a wink and then directs her focus to the book, and it makes me wonder which story she’s talking about.