Chapter 3

3

MARIGOLD

I stuck around after closing because the guys were still meeting upstairs. After that encounter with Chance, I was nervous to see him again. I should have snuck out to avoid him, but I had to lock up the library after they left.

I kept checking the clock, even though I could hear the one on the wall ticking away. The lights were dimmed, and everyone else had already gone home. I locked the front door because Chance was so concerned about my safety.

I could read here or at home just as easily. I was slowly working my way through the Battle of the Books selections for the year and typing up the questions for the school's librarians to distribute to their teams.

I tried to focus on the book, but I noticed I'd read the same paragraph three times before I leaned back in my chair. That's when I heard the thumping of feet on the steps and laughter.

The Wilde brothers were always teasing each other. For as long as I could remember, I was envious of the St. Claire and Wilde families. They didn't go home to empty houses after school. They didn't make and eat dinner by themselves each evening.

I shook my head, determined not to feel melancholy when my life was good. I'd always wanted to work in my hometown as a librarian. The only thing missing from my dream was a family. But I was working with Scarlett to make that a reality.

The guys came into view.

Xan spotted me and walked over to the counter as I gathered my things. "What are you still doing here?"

"Someone has to lock up."

Eli looked around. "I didn't realize the library was closed."

I shrugged. "It's not a big deal. I didn't mind waiting."

"You should have said that we went over time," Chance chided.

"I didn't mind. I was reading." Wow. Great way to show your crush that you have no life outside of work. I should have been talking about the hot date I missed by having to stay at work late. Would Chance care if I went on a date?

"You ready to head out?" Chance asked, his gaze roved over the space as if he was used to checking security everywhere he went.

"I am." I tucked the book I was reading into my bag. I didn't have a stack of books today.

The other guys moved toward the front door ahead of us, and Chance hung back.

"How was your meeting?" I asked, my heart fluttering. This ridiculous crush on Chance was growing the more time we spent together.

Chance's lips turned up. "It was good. Everyone but Xan read the book, and we had a good discussion. I think it helps that the book was more of a mystery. There was a lot to talk about."

I nodded. "That was a good one."

"Do you regularly read thrillers?" Chance asked me as we made our way past the displays of books and movies.

"Not often but, whenever I do, I enjoy them. The only problem is that they are hard to put down. I have to know what happened at the end."

The guys were loitering around the circulation desk.

"And then, when you get to the end, you have no idea what actually happened. Do authors do that on purpose?" Chance asked as he waited for me to unlock the door.

"The book certainly sticks with you longer when you're left with questions."

Chance pushed open the door, and I ducked under his arm. I hoped the rest of the guys didn't notice the faint flush on my skin. I couldn't control my reaction to Chance. He was either oblivious or ignored me so as not to embarrass me. I hoped it wasn't the latter. I didn't want to be pitied. On some level, it was safe to like Chance from afar. There was no risk of getting hurt.

The guys scattered, calling out goodbyes and reminding Chance to pick a good book for next time.

Chance walked with me to my SUV, and I wondered if the guys would think he was being nice or if something else was going on between us.

"You have to pick the next book too?" I asked him once we'd reached my SUV, and I clicked the locks. This time, I slid inside, and turned on the engine without prompting.

"Apparently I did such a good job, I have to continue picking books." Chance leaned on the door frame, bringing his face entirely too close to mine.

"I'm happy to help you again."

He sobered. "I don't want to add to your work load."

My heart flip-flopped. "It's literally my job to make book recommendations, and I love reading."

"You bring your work home."

I shrugged. "Reading isn't a hardship."

"You were always doing that when we were kids," Chance murmured as if he was replaying a memory.

"I was alone a lot." It wasn't anything he probably didn't already know. But whether he'd processed what it meant was a whole other story.

The rest of the guys had driven out of the lot, leaving us alone.

Chance cleared his throat. "What are you doing for Thanksgiving this year?"

The St. Claires often invited me for their holiday celebrations, but I always declined when Scarlett wasn't home. There was no reason for me to be there otherwise. "My parents always travel over Thanksgiving. They started doing that when I was in high school."

Chance frowned. "You haven't been at our house."

"I usually make a small turkey breast, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. If I'm feeling particularly in the mood, I'll order a freshly made pie." It was one of my favorite days of the year. But I hadn't spent it with anyone in ages.

His brow furrowed. "You have to come this year. Scarlett's home, and Eli will be there."

"I'll think about it." I didn't want to be a charity case, and I wasn't sure I wanted to see how happy Scarlett and Eli were together.

"I don't like the idea of you being alone on the holiday."

I laughed without any real humor. "I've been doing Thanksgiving on my own for years."

Chance frowned. "I'm not sure my parents knew."

I touched the side of Chance's face and froze. "I'm perfectly content doing my own thing. Don't worry about me." I returned my hand to my lap, my palm still tingling from that brief contact.

Chance cleared his throat and stepped back.

I probably made him uncomfortable. I'd never touched him like that before. We never hugged or did anything more than make small talk. We were spending too much time together, talking about books. Not only was it my favorite topic, but it was causing my crush to spin out of control. Chance wasn't interested in settling down with anyone, much less me.

This wasn't one of my favorite romance reads where the hero would suggest a no-strings fling, and then we'd fall madly in love. Anything happening between me and Chance was a fantasy. He probably saw me as a younger sister, not a woman he could be physically attracted to.

"Thanks for the book rec and the meeting room. Have a good night, Marigold." He closed my door before I had a chance to respond.

Chance was a nice guy. He wouldn't want anyone to spend Thanksgiving alone. It had nothing to do with him worrying specifically about me. It was his job to worry about everyone in town. I was just one more resident he felt obligated to help.

S carlett paced the stage. "I don't know which one to choose."

Eli sat on the edge, his feet dangling while he ate a slice of pizza.

Scarlett stopped and rung her hands. "You've written too many good plays."

I rolled my eyes, not believing her words for a second. I wrote plays with lessons for kids. I never imagined anyone would ever act them out. It was something fun I did to fill my time and a chance to work on my writing skills.

"If it were one of your theater groups, who would make the choice?" Eli asked, ever the business man.

"The theater itself would make the choice, whether it's a traveling production or in-house."

Eli smiled. "Well, then. It's up to me."

Scarlett stopped and crossed her arms over her chest. "But you're not qualified to make a decision this big."

Eli raised a brow.

"Just because you run a successful business doesn't mean that you're trained to do this. You don't know how it will look performed on the stage, or how many people will be interested in the storyline."

"It's a children's play," Eli said unhelpfully.

I winced at his characterization that it was any less important than any other production. "We have to make a decision soon, and this isn't helping."

"We should take a break." Eli stood and went over to Scarlett. He wrapped his arms around her and whispered something in her ear.

This was a frequent occurrence now. I'd walk in on them giggling in the office or kissing in a dark corner. I didn't want to know what else they were doing around here. But it only highlighted how very alone I was.

I needed to engage Scarlett in my plan to start dating again. I wanted a partner, someone I could come home to at the end of the day. Someone I'd share my thoughts and feelings with.

I hated the idea that I'd never find anyone in this small town. It was my dream to live here and raise my children in the same town I grew up in. Unlike my parents, I'd be involved with my kids' activities. I'd be there when they came home from school, with encouragement and love. No child of mine would ever question my love. Unfortunately, a relationship and kids didn't seem to be in my future. At least, not any time soon.

The doors to the front of the theater opened, bringing with it a gust of wind. Our papers ruffled as Chance walked down the aisle in his uniform. "Practice running late?"

Scarlett pulled away from Eli. "We're trying to choose a new production, but it's impossible. Marigold here wrote too many good ones."

I snorted because she was being dramatic.

"Do you want my help?" Chance asked, and everyone fell silent. Of all of us, he had the least experience in theater.

Eli grinned suggestively at Scarlett. "I think we need a break. I hear our rooftop deck calling to us."

"That sounds wonderful," Scarlett murmured as Eli helped her off the stage and guided her down the aisle.

"You two behave," Eli turned and said teasingly to us.

"Is that a joke?" I asked Chance when they slipped outside. "They're the ones leaving to get it on."

Chance grimaced. "That's my sister you're talking about."

I waved a hand in his direction. "Those two are kissing and touching each other constantly. I can't go anywhere in this theater without covering my eyes."

Chance groaned. "I didn't need to know that."

"I don't need to experience it either." It was nice to share something with Chance, even if it was just our mutual irritation with his sister.

I stuffed the scripts into my messenger bag, but Chance covered my hand with his. "Do you want to review the options with me? It might help to have someone neutral to check it.”

My breath hitched, and I pulled my hand out from under his. It tingled from the contact, and I was starting to wonder whether that would always happen. Did he even feel it? "I have a bunch of them."

"When did you have time to write so many?" Chance asked, leaning against the back of the chair in front of us.

"I think we established I have a lot of free time." I filled it with volunteer work and events at the library. But over the years, I'd written the plays over holidays and long breaks. When everyone else spent them with family, I created fantasy worlds where everyone got their happy ending.

"What are the options?"

I went script by script, giving him a few lines of each plot. A few he rejected outright because he thought they sounded too elaborate. He seemed to have an eye for that. We narrowed it down to two.

Chance lifted the scripts in the air. "One with royals and fighting, which could be fun for the kids. Or another one with animals."

"We should do something different. The set would be challenging, but if we can get the local contracting company, Fletcher and Sons to help us, I think it'll be good."

"My work here is done." He handed me the scripts and pretended to brush off his hands.

"Thanks for talking through those with me. Scarlett gets really invested in each script and can't seem to choose which one, based on expense or anything else. It feels more like an emotional choice for her. And Eli just wants to make her happy." I stood and stuffed the papers into my bag, then slung the strap over my shoulder. When I straightened, I realized that Chance had actually moved closer to me, and I was trapped in the row with him.

It seemed like there was no way to escape him. His scent overwhelmed my senses, and his broad shoulders sent my heart racing. If Chance was interested in me, would he take this opportunity to touch me?

"Thanks for your help," I managed to squeak, hoping he'd move out of my way. I'd melt on the spot if I remained this close to him.

"Are you working with them as a volunteer?" Chance asked, his voice filled with concern for me.

"I guess so. We're friends." I shrugged.

"So you're not getting paid for your time?" Chance asked carefully.

I gripped the strap tighter. "Scarlett's my friend. I don't mind."

"You should get paid for your work."

"The scripts are silly. No one else would even read them, much less act them out." It was thrilling that Scarlett had wanted the first one. We were under a time constraint and limited budget, but now that Eli had purchased the theater for Scarlett, and was one of the board members, we could afford to find something else.

"Scarlett wouldn't consider them if they weren't quality work. She's worked in theater for years."

That was true, and I couldn't understand why she was even contemplating going forward with one of mine when she could have anything. With Eli's backing, money wasn't really an issue for her anymore. He'd support her in whatever she wanted to do.

Chance hadn't moved, and I was desperate to either touch him and give away my crush, or get as far away from him as possible. "I should be getting home."

Chance finally shifted out of the aisle and gestured for me to walk ahead of him. I preceded him up the aisle.

"Did you work all day and come here afterward?" Chance's voice was low and deep.

"I worked earlier so it wasn't a big deal." We'd eaten pizza for dinner. But it had been a long day.

Chance opened the door, then waited for me to lock up. I felt his presence behind me and knew he was scanning the area for any threats. I always felt safe with him.

Chance fell in step next to me as I led the way to my SUV, parked down the street.

I wondered if I should fill the silence, but then I remembered, this wasn't a date. Chance wasn't interested in me. He was just being polite. He would do this for any woman walking alone at night. It was just who he was.

I opened the door to my car before Chance could and slid inside. "See you around." It was best that I treat this relationship for what it was. A nice friendship. Chance didn't want the same things I did, and even if he did, he didn't want me.