Page 1 of Run Little Fawn

Chapter One

THE FAWN

"For people who are spending their eight o'clock on a Friday night in a library, you'd think they would be able to read a fucking sign," I mutter under my breath, glancing at the stragglers who refuse to leave despite the library's imminent closing.

Reshelving a stack of books with more force than necessary, I shoot a pointed look at Natalie, my best friend and coworker. She rolls her eyes in solidarity, sauntering over to me with a conspiratorial grin.

"At least you weren't here when that guy pissed in the armchair last week," she remarks, tucking a choppy strand of black hair behind her ear. It's a cute fresh bob that has me itching to get to the salon and at least get some layers put in. My chestnut tresses are getting long enough to remind me of the scrunchie-wearing little church girl I used to be another lifetime ago.

"Yeah, well, I got stuck cleaning some kid's puke off the new special editions of that mermaid series they're all obsessed with right now, so fair's fair," I remind her as we continue to work our way through shelving the cart of books.

Nat just laughs. "Hey," she whispers, leaning against the shelf. "You'll never guess who I matched with on Tinder. Remember that frat bro from the party I told you about last weekend? The one with the abs you could grate cheese on?"

I snort, shoving a book back into place. "Let me guess, he's about as deep as a puddle and has the emotional maturity of a toddler?"

Natalie shrugs, a wicked gleam in her eye. "That's generous, but who cares? He's hot as sin, and it's not like I'm looking for a boyfriend to take home to Mom. Just a little fun."

"I wish I had your tolerance for himbos," I sigh, wiping a hand across my brow. The fluorescent lights flicker overhead, casting harsh shadows across the empty rows of tables. The library can actually be kind of eerie when it's empty like this.

"The secret," Natalie says with a sage nod, "is to keep their mouths occupied. Either with food or... something else." She waggles her eyebrows suggestively.

A laugh bursts out of me before I can stop it, echoing in the quiet library. Natalie grins, pleased with herself.

"Speaking of keeping something occupied," she says, poking my arm. "You're coming out with me tomorrow night. My sister's bachelorette party, remember?"

I'm already dreading the thought of being surrounded by a bunch of drunk, giggling women I barely know. I almost groan audibly. Fortunately, I keep it stuffed down. "I don't know, Nat. I'll only know you there, and—"

"Exactly," she interrupts, fixing me with a stern look. "You need to get out more, Aria. Live a little. When was the last time you even went on a date?"

I open my mouth to protest, but the words die on my tongue. She's right, as much as I hate to admit it. Between work and taking care of Mom and Ava, my personal life has been practically nonexistent.

"Fine," I relent, holding up a hand to halt Natalie's victorious squeal. "But I'm not promising anything. I'll go, I'll have a few drinks, but that's it."

Natalie smirks, a knowing glint in her eye. "Sure, whatever you say. But I'm telling you, Aria, you need to get laid. Badly."

I flip her off subtly, but I can't help the small smile tugging at my lips. Maybe she's right. Maybe a night out is exactly what I need to shake off this restless, pent-up energy thrumming beneath my skin.

The last patron finally shuffles out the door and I let out a relieved breath. Natalie locks up behind them, the heavy click of the deadbolt echoing in the empty space.

"Finally," I mutter, stretching my arms overhead until my spine pops. "I thought they'd never leave."

Natalie hums in agreement, slinging her purse over her shoulder. "Come on, let's get out of here. I need a drink and some eye candy stat."

I snort, following her out into the cool night air. The breeze ruffles my hair, carrying with it the faint scent of jasmine and car exhaust.

Tomorrow night.

Bachelorette party.

Potential hookups.

What could possibly go wrong?

The overwhelming pounding beat of the music thrums through my body as I sit at the bar, nursing a vodka cranberry and trying not to look as out of place as I feel. Natalie talked me into borrowing a little black dress that was too big for her in the hips, and as anticipated, my junk in the trunk fills it out perfectly.

If anything, it's a bit too snug, but judging from the glances I got when I walked into this place, that's not a problem.

It's definitely the most dressed up I've been in ages. I left my hair down and wore the emerald necklace my parents bought me on the last birthday we were all a family, since it brings out the green in my eyes. I catch myself toying with the pendant like a worry stone, a nervous habit I fall back on once in a while.

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