Page 56 of Swan

I stood from my computer; the events and programs I organised could wait until after I was done. Walking out into the main area, I greeted regulars as I headed towards the space where we hosted Kids’ Corner.

I only stopped when I saw Drake leaning against the wall, attention on his phone. It’d been weeks since I saw him last in the tattoo shop.

My heart rattled.

There were still a couple of minutes to go before I started, so I walked up to him. “Are you looking at getting a library card?”

His head rose and he smiled brightly. Even his eyes shone.

He chuckled. “Hey, Birdy.” He tipped his chin to the right, the young adult section. “I brought Aeila to grab a couple of books.”

“Shouldn’t she be at school?”

He snorted. “She got suspended for punchin’ a boy in the junk when he said somethin’ bad about her dads.” My eyes widened. Aeila was an exemplary student. She wouldn’t have acted out if it wasn’t for a good reason. That boy must have said something vile. I was surprised Nicky hadn’t been with her at the time. They were close.

Drake nodded.

“How did Julian and Mattie handle it?”

He grinned again. “Mattie gave her a lecture but also a high-five. Julian told her there’s other ways to get even without gettin’ physical.”

Laughter bubbled out of me.

“How did you get the job of bringing her here?”

He said nothing for a moment, just looked at me. Until he told me, “Mattie and Julian were both busy. She was at the garage goin’ on about bein’ bored. I offered to bring her here to pick up some books.”

That was really sweet.

“Hi, Miss Daniels,” Rob yelled with a wave. His mum shushed him and winced my way.

“Hello, Rob.” I smiled. I glanced back to Drake. “Sorry, they’re waiting on me.”

“All good, Birdy. See you soon, yeah?”

The way he said it, slow and low, with a gaze I couldn’t quite read, had me clearing my throat and nodding.

A blush worked its way onto my cheeks, and I quickly said, “Bye.”

Inwardly, I groaned as I walked away. Why was I acting like that? Why did I get flustered? He hadn’t even been flirting. I shouldn’t have this pulse-racing reaction to him.

Shaking my head, I pushed it all aside and smiled to the kids. “Hello, everyone. Welcome to Kids’ Corner. Today, I have one of my favourite books to read.” I went over to the table next to my lounge chair and picked up the story I’d placed there earlier. “Green Eggs and Ham. My parents used to read this to me all the time.”

“I’ve heard this one. But I love it,” a little girl said.

“I’m so glad you do. All right, let’s all sit down and put on our listening ears.”

My body warmed when they looked up at me as I took my seat, eyes wide and alert. I started the book, and their attention stayed on me. Well, most of them did for nearly all the way through. Some drifted off to look out a window or stare at other book covers or whisper something to their parent. It was expected when they were so young.

When I got to the end, I closed the book and placed it back on the table. “What did you think?”

I laughed when they all tried to shout over one another.

Holding a hand up, I waited until they quieted again. “One at a time. Hands up if you want to say something.” Ten out of the sixteen raised their hands, and I went through all their questions and comments. Some of them were the same thing, but there were others who wanted another book next time from the same author.

After I said my goodbye and placed the book away, I turned and saw Drake and Aeila standing close by.

“Did you stay for the story?” I asked, my heart racing.

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