Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

NINA

“Good morning, roomie,” Hazel drawls as I enter the kitchen.

“Good morning, bestie,” I respond as I grab the juice from the refrigerator and pour a small glass.

Hazel sits at the table clutching her cup of coffee, and she looks up at me as she asks, “What's the plan for today?”

“I’m heading out to see Mrs. Holly for coffee at Deja Brew. She wants to go over some things for the book club.”

“Are you feeling better about the library?” Hazel asks as I sit in the chair opposite her.

“No, But I guess I have to be okay with it.”

“You’re going to be great. But while you're with Mrs. Holly, make sure you get the scoop.” She pauses, eyeing me over her mug before adding, “She knows everything you want to know about people in town.”

“Hazel. It’s been a week. Why are you trying to marry me off?”

“Just saying,” she replies teasingly. “With Wes and I spending more time together, we could become in laws if you play your cards right.”

I cross my arms over my chest and stare her down as I reply, “You mean if you’d stop stringing Wes along, right?”

“Oh,” she gasps in fake outrage and then crows, “See? No retort about being too new or not wanting romance. You do like Jay!”

Do I like him? We spent the afternoon together on the beach. It was fun and the more time passed the more comfortable I became. Hazel and I chatted and cheered them on while the three guys roughhoused and picked on each other. It was such a normal and fun interaction, and I could see how much Wes and Maverick look up to Jay. He carries himself differently. He’s quick with a joke but also quick to build someone up or give a compliment to make them feel good. It was refreshing to see a man being kind.

“Girl, I don't even know him. What I do know is that Wes is obsessed with you.”

“I wish he was,” she says with a sigh. “I don’t think he’ll ever commit.”

“What I saw yesterday speaks differently.” Hazel has spoken about Wes on and off for the last couple years and every time I could tell in her voice that she really liked him. There never seemed to be an issue from what I recall her telling me about him, just that they were always in different places in their life. He’s a little older than her, but age gaps don’t mean a thing these days.

“But what about Jay. Are we giving up the love ban yet or what?”

“I spent three hours with him.”

“But didn't you like what you saw in those three hours?”

“I did,” I admit. “He was fun. He seems to be a great guy. He was funny with his friends; they clearly love him.”

“You two had some fun banter happening.”

I shrug. “I’m surprised that it slipped out.”

“I’m not,” she snorts. “You’re not boring like you think. I know that when you’re comfortable with others, your fun, snarky self shines through. And Jay made you feel good yesterday which is why you were able to be yourself.”

“I get the idea that's just who he is though. He makes everyone feel at ease. It wasn't just me.”

“I think he was a bit more interested in making you feel good yesterday.“ She eyes me for a moment and then adds, “And he is that way, the town loves him for it. After that ex of his basically slapped his dick in front of everyone, he became the favorite.”

“What happened with them?”

“It was a long time ago, but he was happy being a small-town boy. And she wanted someone to be her bank card. She humiliated him publicly, broke his heart. “

I know that feeling. My ex made such a joke about me in front of everyone, it's no wonder I couldn’t meet anyone normal after that. “So how is he so nice and outgoing and still single?”

“That's just who he is but I also think he’s careful about who he gives his heart to. I’m sure he was hurt. But he rallied and refused to settle.”

I think about how long it took me to rally back. I had to leave my town and move away in order to feel at peace. Glancing at the clock, I say, “Okay I have to go meet Mrs. Holly. Wish me luck.”

Walking into Deja Brew, the first thing I spot is Maverick walking closely behind Mrs. Holly.

I narrow my eyes, she seems to be moving very slow and he’s right there doting over her. She sits gingerly, which is totally opposite from what I saw the other day when we met. Maverick scurries to the counter picking up two coffees and a donut and comes back to the table placing it in front of her. Her sly smile and warm eyes have me giggling.

“Nina!” She spots me and waves. Maverick looks up and smiles as I approach.

“Mrs. Holly. Are you okay?” I ask with concern.

She pats Mavericks hand. “I’m fine dear, just a little tired today. Maverick here was so nice to get our coffee and donut.”

“Anything for you, Mrs. Holly. But I have to run, the boss will be waiting.” He winks at me at the mention of Jay. “Good to see you again, Nina. I’m sure I’ll catch you around town.”

He takes off and I slide into the chair opposite Mrs. Holly. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

She chuckles. “Oh, honey, you’ll see. When you're my age and have a young man fawning over you, you take advantage of it every time.” She slides the second coffee to me. “Double shot macchiato. Nice and sweet.”

I laugh, taking the cup from her as I say, “Thank you. It smells wonderful.” I blow on it before taking a sip. “So, I wanted to ask about the catalogs–”

“So how was your beach day?” she interjects.

I frown and ask, “My beach day?”

“Yes, I heard you and Hazel met up with the boys.”

I shake my head. “How did you–”

“Honey, it’s Magnolia Point. And I’m me ,” she proudly states. “I know everything.”

I grin at her explanation. “It was fun. So, the catalo-”

“I bet Maverick was interjecting every time Jay tried talking to you, wasn’t he? He’s such a tease, always razzing his best friend. He just wants what's best for him.” She sips from her coffee with an eyebrow raised just waiting for me to ask more questions.

“Okay I’ll bite. What do you mean?”

She smiles and sits back, happy to be in the spotlight. “I knew the three of those boys growing up, they were thicker than thieves. They each tried to outdo the other when it came to girls, but Jay always had the upper hand. There's just something about him, you know?”

I smile. I do know. But I won't tell her that.

“Anyway, all three of them are good looking and quite charming but Jay has that extra bit of charisma. He’s a people pleaser and will give you the shirt off his back. But he’s not one to be taken advantage of. Anymore . He has quite the balance about him that commands respect and authority but is also easily adjustable and goes with the flow.”

I listen carefully, taking notes on how highly she speaks of him.

“I think it has to do with all the books he reads.” She leans in closer and whispers, “Romance books.” She waggles her brows and I giggle at her scandalous tone.

“He reads romance?”

“Yup, he was always checking them out as a teenager. I can imagine he’s learned a thing or two from them. How to treat people and better yet, how to treat women. Wes and Maverick know he likes to read. And me, of course. He thought he was getting one over on me, as if the librarian wouldn’t know Joy Porker was a fake name.”

“Joy Porker?” I sputter, choking back a loud laugh.

Mrs. Holly laughs and says, “Don’t you dare keep that laugh to yourself! No one around here will have one thing to say about a beautiful woman having fun.”

She chastises me good-naturedly, and I think about what a difference this place is with my old town. Then she adds, “Anyway, yes, he thought he was hiding. That name is the one part I never told the other boys. I bet they’d tease him relentlessly if they knew.”

“So, why doesn’t anyone know? Seems like it is kind of hard to keep secrets in Magnolia Point.”

“It’s all about who knows. I’m a vault and those three will lie for each other and each swear by it. It’s a beautiful bond they have. I’m just glad Jay got away from that woman, she didn’t deserve him.”

She sips her coffee, looking like that meme about spilling tea, and I wait for her to talk. I know she wants to.

“This town is like one big family. Everyone is an extension of one another, and when you hurt one of us, the rest let you know. The town chased her right out of here, and they’ve made Jay the most eligible bachelor, but I know he’s holding out for the right one , not just anyone .”

I relax at hearing her say he’s a good man. I got the feeling he is, but people always put their best foot forward in a first meeting. It’s once you get to know them that you find out their true self.

“Thanks for the chat, Mrs. Holly,” I say as I stand and gather my bag. “I think I'm going to go to the Library and get my notes in order.“

“Anytime, dear. I’m happy you’re here. I think you’re just what he needs.”

I pause, looking back at her. “What who needs?”

She makes a show of wrapping up the last bite of her donut in the napkin. “Hm?”

“You said I’m just what he needs.”

She looks up at me, waving her hand. “You must have heard wrong. I said what we need. Magnolia Point. Have a great day, Nina!”

She rises from her chair easily and I shake my head at her tricks that captured Maverick earlier.

I walk the short distance to the library replaying what she said about Jay. She’s describing a book boyfriend and ticking off the boxes of all the characteristics I look for.

Pushing those thoughts away, I remind myself that I’m only here for a new start. A new job.

And possibly a new guy?

Shaking my head at the stupid thoughts creeping around, I enter the library and head straight for the Read Me, Baby room. I skim the shelves then end up grabbing the small-town romance novel by Bella Valentino that’s being read for the National Read a Book Day.

“When the handsome bachelor in town has been waiting years for his Happily Ever After, can the new girl be the one who finally captures his heart?”

“Oh my god, so cliché.” I roll my eyes but still open the book, flipping through the pages and reading a sentence in my head. Then I repeat it in a whisper.

Taking a breath, feeling slightly embarrassed, I begin to read the whole paragraph out loud.

“I glide my fingertips upward along his inner thighs, pausing right before reaching his groin as I ask quietly, “Do you like it when I touch you?”

He nods and I smile, my eyes locked with his as my fingers make contact with his balls then slowly stroke along the hard line of his dick. “You want more?”

He inhales on a gasp and nods again, so I lean forward and lick a path from the base of his cock to the tip, earning a soft moan from him. I lap at the pre-cum dripping from the end of his dick, humming appreciatively. “Mmm…you taste so good…””

My heart races and I suddenly feel flushed.

Because as I read that last sentence, Jay came to the forefront of my mind.

I slam the book shut.