Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

NINA

I left the library exhausted.

For an introvert, it’s a lot to be out in the open for long periods of time. It’s difficult to be social and ‘on’ when that’s not your normal way of being, though I did enjoy my time with everyone. And the best part was that a lot of the women stayed after the club wrapped up and we chatted about the town, about books and about families.

It was wonderful getting to know them and I found myself thinking about how glad I am that I made the move. Being a small-town librarian means I’ll get to know everyone that comes in and out. Quite often, you learn what people are going through by what they choose to read. I find the trust that some come to you with is endearing. They trust me to help them find the words that will get them through deciding a college major, going through a health scare or even getting through a breakup. And on the other side, it's exciting to be a part of someone's life when they check out a book about being a first-time mother or how to plan a wedding.

“Bestie!” Hazel calls out as I enter her house. “How was it today? I was thinking about you all day.”

“Wine. Must have wine.”

“Already poured you a glass. It’s on the counter.”

I drop my pocketbook, kick off my shoes and swipe the glass from the counter, coming around to the living room where I sink into the couch next to her and take a huge gulp.

I let out a breath, feeling like it’s the first breath of the day. “It was good. It was really good. But it was a lot. I’m glad Mrs Holly was there. But she was dropping little innuendos here and there all day. My mind has been racing between the book, the club…”

“Jay?”

“Yes, him, too.” She giggles and sits up straight on the couch, crossing her legs and facing me.

“Tell me!”

“I’m not getting excited,” I say evenly. “I’m not getting ahead of myself. I’m done letting my emotions take off on me. I’m in a brand-new town with new people and a new job and I need to just stay in my lane.”

“No, you do not! You are allowed to feel happy and excited over something new.”

“It was one date, Hazel. That's all I ever get.”

“You need to tell him,” she replies softly, as if she can read my mind.

“Maybe,” I respond with a shrug. “If the time is right, if we get further.”

I’m silent for a minute processing it all, but then I say quietly, “He was there today.”

“At the book club?”

“Well, not really in the room, but he was there working on the HVAC system. When we were there the other night, he told me he could hear me in the room. Voices and sounds travel through the pipes.”

Her eyes widen and she squeals with excitement, making me laugh. “I still can’t get over the fact that he’s a dirty talker and I am in love with it!”

“Don't tell him I told you! No one is supposed to know!”

She makes the cross sign over heart. “I won't tell a soul.”

Shaking my head, I keep going. “But when Mrs Holly introduced me and then again when I spoke to the crowd, I heard the pipes rattle twice. It was like he was saying ‘I’m here, you have a friend listening. It’s going to be alright.’ I shrug. “First time in a long time I was enjoying the story and let the reality drift away. Maybe it’s stupid but it was comforting.”

“It’s not stupid, it’s real. That's what a relationship is about. It’s being there for you, being supportive and you doing the same. I know you’ve never had that, and it breaks my heart for you because when you find someone so good, it's the best feeling ever.”

She and I watch each other. I know she’s thinking about Wes and I wish things would just come together for them.

“It’s going to work out for you guys,” I say gently. “There's no way you’ve been tiptoeing around each other all this time for it not to. Maybe you just need one big shakeup to let things fall into place.”

Now it’s her turn to shrug and not have the words. “Look at us. Both waiting for that happily ever after to show up and knock on the door!”

Knock, knock

We both scream and she jumps into my lap, each of us wrapping our arms around each other.

The door flies open, and Wes and Jay come barging in. “What's wrong? Are you girls okay?”

We look at each other and begin to laugh uncontrollably.

“What the fuck is happening here?” Wes asks.

Jay picks up the bottle of wine and shakes an almost empty bottle. “Looks like we walked in on some self-care.” He chuckles, before pouring the remaining wine into the empty glass on the table.

“Speaking of self care, Hazel, I have something I need to discuss with you.” Wes says it matter of factly, but his tone is low and hints of sexual promises.

And I know exactly what's happening here.

I unwrap myself from Hazel and stand. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

Wes raises a brow, but doesn’t take his eyes from Hazel as she ushers him out of the living room, and I call after her, “Don’t worry! I’ll see myself out!”

“He brought me as the backup plan,” Jay explains, extending his hand to me.

I take his hand and allow him to lead me to the front door. “Oh? He brought you to make sure I leave the house so those two can get it on?”

I laugh at the absurdity of why those two are not together then step into my shoes and Jay opens the door. “Come on. Let’s go to the food truck. I know you must be hangry and I would not be the friend I am if I didn’t feed you right now.”

I pause, waiting for more. “That’s it? That's how the sentence ends?”

He licks his bottom lip and I watch with full attention. “Not every sentence has to be dirty, Miss Amoré.”

“No. But it’s fun when it is.”

I walk past him and jump when his flat palm lands on my ass with a loud smack. “Jay!” I exclaim, outraged that I just got spanked.

“I’m hungry, Nina. I know you are, too. Get that fine ass in the truck before you get spanked again,” he says as he continues walking to the truck, not giving me a second glance back.

The nerve on this guy.

But I follow with a huge smile on my face.

We order from Taste of Magnolia, this amazing little food truck run by friends, Cora and Aspen. I’ve passed the truck a time or two, the large pink and white flowers are hard to miss, but now that I've eaten here, it’s a newfound favorite.

“They cater events. You should talk to them about a menu for the book club.”

I bite into a pulled pork slider while Jay has fish tacos with pineapple salsa.

“You and your tacos.” I razz him as he slowly moans over each bite he takes.

“Say what you want.” He looks pointedly at my sandwich, smirking as he adds, “Craving some meat, Nina?”

“Gotta get it from somewhere.”

His eyes widen comically and he coughs on the bite he just swallowed. “Don’t get me hard in public.”

“Jay!” I exclaim looking around to make sure no one heard him.

He laughs. “Relax, no one’s paying attention right now.”

“Oh yea, I forgot. The show was already twenty minutes long when we got here. It must be intermission now, right?”

He smirks, wiping a bit of the salsa from his lips and dusting his hands of the taco he just finished. “I told you, once I’m seated with you, I’m with you. You get my full attention here. And when we get home.”

I laugh. “Promises, promises.”

He leans forward. “You better eat that quickly, Nina. I’m about to take you on top of this table.”

Unsure if this is just more dirty talk to tease me, or he’s being serious, I decide to play with him a little bit. So, I slowly take another bite and over exaggerate licking each finger clean of the delicious barbecue sauce as his eyes watch my every move.

“Are you done?” He asks with a raised brow.

“Almost. Though, I am kind of hungry still. Could you go order me another sandwich?”

His brows pull and his mouth drops. “You’re serious?”

I lick the sauce once more. “I am.”

He takes a deep breath and grips the table. He shuts his eyes tight for a few seconds. Then he swings his legs over the bench seat and untucks his shirt pulling it lower.

“What are you doing?” I wipe my hands on my napkin and begin to stand.

“You wanted another sandwich. I’ll go get you one.”

I should have known this man would put me first. Even over something so silly and simple. I walk around the table and stand in front of him, wrapping my arms around his waist. I pull him in tight. “Oh.” I look down then back up.

“Yeah. Oh. I warned you.”

I laugh. “I know you did. I was teasing you, I didn't think you’d actually go order me another.”

He spins me around so my back is against his front, and he speaks lowly into my ear. “Don’t you know by now I’d give you anything you ask?”

“Jay.” His words catch me off guard.

“We’re going to walk back to my truck and then we’re going to my house. And then you’re going to find out just how much I’ll give you.”