Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

NINA

I laid awake for most of the night, not from nerves, but from excitement.

I’m happy to be here, in a brand-new town where I can focus on myself. I don’t have to make excuses over not wanting to be social. I can just be me and if people like me, then fine, and if they don't, then that's fine too. There’s no expectations here; I’m a librarian, we’re supposed to be quiet and reserved. That’s not to say I don’t know how to have a good time, but I don’t need to be the star of the show or center of conversation. I like to sit back and people watch.

And maybe that’s why I’ve pigeonholed myself into being alone. I’ve only ever had one relationship, and I still have no idea how we lasted as long as we did. After finding out he was never going to support any of my ideas, I stopped wasting my time, and since then, I’ve never made it past a second date. It could really give me a complex if I didn't know better. I’ve locked my heart away for a guy that is like the book boyfriends I’ve read about. It’s a downfall and a toxic trait which now has risen to the forefront of why I'm alone at twenty-seven years old with no prospects in place.

So, I'm giving up the books. I’m giving up on romance. It doesn’t exist anyway, so what am I missing out on?

Nothing.

Walking into the library, I inhale deeply and close my eyes. The smile that spreads across my face is automatic. Being here, it feels right. I walk to the front desk where I see an older woman shelving books.

“Excuse me? Are you Mrs. Holly?”

She turns to me. “Oh, yes! You must be Nina!” She scurries around the counter and comes to my side wrapping me in a hug. She’s tiny, but seems feisty and it makes me giggle. With her arms gripping my biceps she holds me at arm’s length assessing me. “You are beautiful! Nina Amoré! Oh, what a name! You are going to fit in perfectly here!”

“Oh!” She pulls me in for another hug. “Yes, thank you. I really like it here already.”

“Come, come! Let me show you around.”

We wander the first floor as she shows off each section of the library. There are separate rooms called ‘quiet rooms’ that hold a computer and a table and chair for meetings or study areas. There is a small lounge with a couple of end tables and cozy chairs and couches. Each one has a blanket draped over the arm, just inviting readers to sit and get lost in their story. There is even a larger room in the back corner with a giant movie projector screen.

“This room is used a lot for summer enrichment classes for the younger kids. They love it and the room holds the sound, so it doesn’t disturb anyone else out there,” she explains as she motions back to the main floor.

“What’s on the second floor?”

Mrs. Holly's eyes twinkle and for a split second, I’m nervous about what she's going to say is up there. “Follow me! This is the best part!”

We take the elevator to the second floor, and then walk out into a room that feels like I’m stepping into a romance novel. My heart skips a beat at the beautiful surroundings and the overall feeling of love that emanates from the room. There's no other way for me to describe it except intimate and adoring. A room you could find the love of your life in.

If you believed in that sort of thing.

Which I don't.

Anymore.

I let Mrs. Holly lead me to the center of the room, where she stops and says, “This is the READ ME, BABY romance floor. You’ll find nothing but happily ever after books up here for those looking to get lost in the love of a good book and a sexy couple.” My eyes widen slightly, and she giggles. “What’s wrong? Never heard an eighty-year-old woman say the word sexy?”

I shake my head, slightly embarrassed. “No, nothing like that. I’m just overwhelmed by this place. This is truly … incredible.”

I wander around the room, touching the shelves and small tables that boast everything from supermarket type romance novels with the sexy model to illustrated covers demonstrating love found on ice. There are candles at each small end table and more blankets on each chair. There is a counter with candy dishes like an old-time ice cream shoppe. Chocolates, gummies and sour candies line the counter and underneath are three mini refrigerators in a row with open glass doors show off sodas and water.

I walk along the perimeter of the room taking note of all the books but stop when I get to a large chalkboard. Romance Book Club is written across the top in big letters and underneath it has book titles and months written next to it. I take note of the title for this month, “THE ROAD HOME” by Bella Valentino.

Mrs. Holly has come up beside me and says, “aren’t you so excited? The club meets weekly and comes together to discuss the romance book of the month! The best part? You get to read to everyone in the room. It creates an atmosphere of friendship and solidarity as you all unite together over the love found amongst the pages.”

My heart instantly sinks into the pit of my stomach. One, romance sucks. Two, if I wanted to be speaking in front of a crowd, I would have chosen any other profession other than a librarian. There’s a reason I like being quiet and reserved behind the books. And after one attempt at deviating from that path, I’ll never do it again.

I swallow the lump in my throat then squeak out, “Read to them?”

“Yes! The town loves it. If you haven’t noticed, the Magnolia Point neighborhood thrives on love and romance. The people of the town are always looking for the next couple to set up and live for first dates, weddings and baby showers.”

My heart is racing and my palms are sweating. These are major details that Hazel has left out.

“Also, National Read a Book Day is coming up, it's a town favorite and this year, they’ve elected to all read that romance novel up on the board. It’s a sweet story about a small town boy who falls in love with the new girl in town.”

Her eyes are twinkling and I feel bile rise in my throat, but then, suddenly we’re interrupted by a succession of large bangs and the pipes creak within the walls.

“Oh, that's just the HVAC repairmen. If you can’t tell, the air conditioning has been out in the library and we are getting a complete overhaul. They’ll be here for about two weeks.” She walks back to the elevator and I follow, itching to get out of this room as fast as possible. “They’re very nice boys.”

We head back to her office and sit and discuss basic principles of the library and I leave there wondering what I got myself into. The last thing I want is to put on a happy face, speak in front of a crowd and act like romance novels are the next best thing since sliced bread.

I think I made a mistake coming to Magnolia Point.