Page 40 of You are the Reason

“What is wrong with her? Has she not seen — Let me call her, don’t worry, Jess. I will fix this,” Kinsley continues to ramble to herself whilst looking for her phone. The phone I have just now tucked under a pillow. I won’t let her embarrass herself on my watch, especially when her assumption is so far from the reality of the situation.

“Just take your turn, otherwise I’ll call it a night. One of us has to get up for work in the morning.”

“Isn’t it your turn?” She raises one brow in question. “Someone has had one too many.”

“Fine, one more turn but if I don’t land a chance, I’m out.”

Without the liquid courage I wouldn’t be able to ask her the question that comes out of my mouth next. Let’s hope we end the night without tears. I cross my fingers behind my back for luck. “Are you ever going to let Tanner see all of you?”

She bites her bottom lip, her mind going straight to the gutter. “Fuck, Meadow,” I growl. “That’s not what I meant.”

Seeing her like this, so free and happy, I decide to drop it. I run my fingers through my hair. “Let’s just call it a night.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Kinsley

Waiting on the front steps of the newly renovated building, a strange sense of belonging washes over me. The last time I was here I kept my head down and eyes on the books I wanted to borrow. I used the self check out and didn’t engage with a single soul; it is surreal just how different this is from the last time I was here.

I shuffle impatiently on my feet. The library opens at 9am, when I glance down at my watch I see the time is 8.57, she should be here to open up any minute now. Moments later I see her, Sophie walks towards me with surprise written all over her face. She unlocks the large glass doors and tries to awkwardly hug me whilst I have a takeaway coffee in each hand. She is dressed in blush pink slacks and a white shirt, her short black hair styled in waves with the left side tucked behind her ear.

“What are you doing here?!” she exclaims.

“I brought you coffee — I thought I could follow you around and chat when you’re not busy being, Miss Librarian. I’ve been a shitty friend lately, well at least I think I have. I don’t really have any other female friendships outside of work to compare this to.” I give her a shy smile, holding out the coffee in offering.

“Kins, we don’t need to talk daily or catch up weekly for you to be a good friend. Life gets busy, I get it.”

I sigh with relief as she ushers me into the building. Glancing up, I see the library now spans across two floors. I assume the second floor mainly houses books, maybe a conference room or two. Sophie’s office and an information desk sits off to the right, a vase full of wildflowers brightening the space. Over to my left, there is another new addition – a small cafe, welcoming you with the comforting aroma of coffee. The space offers intimate lounging areas for people to read. My mind begins to drift, picturing myself curling up with a book.

Soph bumps me with her elbow. “If you’re going to show up with coffee and keep me company at work, you’re welcome to guilt yourself into feeling like abad friendmore often.”

“Noted.” I giggle, before taking a sip of my coffee. “So, what does one do at a library all day?”

“Well, today,” she says with a grin. “We gossip and drink coffee.”

We settle into the couches near the front of the library and Sophie keeps an eye out for anyone who might enter, meaning she will need to actually do some work.

“Okay, me first. I need to know why you and Jesse friend-zoned each other!” I shuffle closer to her. “I am very selective of the women I send his way, so come on, spill the beans!”

“We — we instantly hit it off like a house on fire; laughing, chatting and felt like we had known each other for years, you know?”

I did know, all too well. Jesse has this vibe and when you connect on that level with him it’s instant.

“It was more a best friend, brother and sister vibe. There is honestly nothing wrong with him and I will happily join you in the recruitment process for potential women from now on.”

We both burst into laughter.

“Okay, okay,” she says, composing herself. “What about you and Tanner? That seems to be going well?”

I give her a run down on how things are progressing with Tanner and the fact he dropped thegirlfriendbomb when introducing me to his sister, which I’m still yet to bring up with him. This conversation leads into me staying at Jesse’s for the past three nights and the reason why; someone has been following me.

“You’re telling me someone has been following you, taking photos and could potentially be the same person who broke into the bar?” Sophie stands, throwing her arms in the air. I quickly tug on her arm, urging her to sit. “— and you’re just walking around by yourself? Wait until I see those boys, I’ll give them a piece of my mind!”

“Soph, shh. You’re going to make a scene!” I whisper-shout, smiling over her shoulder and giving an awkward wave at the cafe owner who is opening up for the morning.

“I’m not letting you leave here alone, what are your plans from here — for the rest of today?”

“Again, I am fine. Thank you for caring but honestly, I can look after myself. I have an opening shift this afternoon. I was planning on leaving here after your lunch break and going home to change, before making my way into work.”

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