“It’s hard to think the building is going to become another relic.”
It was the second time he mentioned a bleak future. “Are you quitting?” The way he admired the exterior, I found that hard to believe. His eyes lit up talking about the library, and for a moment, it was as if he found himself lost in a memory.
“Funding cuts.” When those wide shoulders shrugged, it bordered on comical. “It’s unfortunate, but that’s what happens when you work in a small town.”
“That’s a bummer.” I hated to see somebody separated from the thing they loved most. “What will you do next?”
I turned around, tripping over my foot. He caught me, those bulging biceps pushing me upright. If he kept that up, I’d be more of a klutz than usual. Tonight, I’d go home and laugh at all the awkward moments. When I told Amanda, I’d exaggerate my suave moves and smooth talking.
“The city, maybe? I’ll figure it out then.” He said the words, but the optimism didn’t feel genuine. Poor guy. Tyler loved his job here, and because somebody in the capital couldn’t see its importance, he’d have to find another job. It almost made me admire Firefly’s small-town politics.
“Am I going to get a tour, or do I need a library card?”
Tyler reached out, palm up, waiting for me to take his hand. Sure, he played with my penis, but hand-holding… It was hard to miss the indentation where a metal band had once occupied his ring finger. It shouldn’t be a big deal, especially after his hands had been all over my body days before, but… hand-holding served as a different type of intimacy.
I took his hand… his rough, warm, and sweaty hand. Without haste, he pulled me through the library. We walked through the shelves and paused in front of an old, oversized oak desk.
“Welcome to my office.” With his free hand, he gave a sweeping gesture. Tyler didn’t let up gripping my fingers. “The lack of privacy is problematic, but I can’t complain with the view.” Books. The only thing he could see sitting here was the computer screen, old enough to rival the library itself.
“While you scoffed at readingGreat Expectations, I lived in the library. It’s always been my home away from home. I guess you could say this building kept me in Firefly.”
I didn’t have a chance to comment as he pulled me along. In the back, he charged up a staircase to a loft with me following behind. Unlike the library below, it had shelves only three rows tall and one corner filled with pillows and a colorful carpet. I was about to comment about the solitary rocking chair when I spotted open books on the floor.
“Kids’ reading area?” I asked.
“I love the day-to-day stuff and helping people find the perfect book. Really, I do. But this is my happy place. Seeing the kids’ faces when I break outThe Very HungryCaterpillaralways makes me smile.” Aww. He had transformed from an awkward teen to a lovable dork. One who still refused to let go of my hand.
“Sexy and cute librarian.” The sarcastic remark left my mouth before I realized what I said. I swore he squeezed myhand. For good measure, I squeezed back. That was about all the flirting I could manage without making a fool of myself.
He brought me to the edge of the loft, where we had a bird’s-eye view of the library. From this vantage point, it looked bigger, housing thousands of books. Tyler put his hands on the railing, the smile still stapled on his face. I did the same, my pinky brushing against his.
“I know this is odd after the club, but I’m in Firefly for a while…”
His eyebrow crept up his forehead. “Is this you asking me out?”
I assumed I’d spend the summer covered in dust and cobwebs. If I were lucky, it’d be donating boxes in the morning and hanging out with Jason and Amanda at night. I didn’t want Tyler to get the wrong idea. Once I settled Mimi’s affairs, it’d be back to the city with me.
“I’m only here for the summer,” I mumbled.
“Works for me,” he said. “Summer seems to be our thing. I hope you’re staying for the carnival? The committee says it’ll be the best one yet.”
Twenty years ago, my summer ended with a kiss under a burst of fireworks. Now, it started with a fiery ceremony and an equally hot encounter in a club. Maybe it wouldn’t be a boring couple of months. I wouldn’t mind having some fun while I donated sweaters and cleaned the basement.
“I should get home— to Mimi’s house.” The word home didn’t hit right, even if I were going to live there for the next two months. Home was a small apartment in the cityfilled with my eclectic definition of art. “Those boxes won’t pack themselves.”
“I’m glad I bumped into you.” The words couldn’t have sounded any sweeter if he tried. The thought of starting something with an expiration date gave me pause. I didn’t want to get involved, only to reach a point with tearful goodbyes. Despite my hesitation, I wanted to learn more about this boy who stole my first kiss.
“Me too.” I gave him a light punch to the shoulder. It couldn’t have been any more awkward if I tried. “I’ll call.”
I headed downstairs, and before I exited, I looked up at the loft. Tyler leaned against the railing, giving me a slight wave. I expected my summer to be depressing and filled with heartache as I sorted through Mimi’s belongings. She’d be happy to know a cute guy threatened to make it a little more lively.
“Live a little.” In my head, I heard Mimi reciting her catchphrase.
THURSDAY NIGHT ORGIES
“You’re making excuses.”
She let out a lengthy sigh in my ear. It did little to muffle the sound of children chasing one another through the green. Six or seven, the girl caught up to the boy, screaming “tag” before tackling him and rolling along the grass. Once upon a time, that would have been Evie and me. Now, the tortuous savage avoided me like the plague.
