Page 54 of Falling for the Beast

“Good.” She pulled into the parking lot for the downtown library. “Maybe you’ll get some ideas in here.”

“You expect me to go in there with you?”

For Pete’s sake. She tried not to roll her eyes. “You don’t have to. But it’s a library. No one cares what you look like. Everyone in here is either reading or looking for something to read. No one will pay attention to you unless you somehow get so angry that you go all beastly on everyone. And I don’t know what could make you do that. Not finding the right book?”

He seemed to consider her words. “Okay. I’ll go in.”

Her stomach fluttered. She hadn’t really expected him to agree to it. Getting him to go into a public place with her felt like a huge victory. Maybe even the beginning of a change in his life. She tried not to place too much importance on it or make a big deal out of it. “Come on, then.”

He got out of the car, flipped the hood of his jacket up, stuffed his hands in his hoodie pockets, and followed her into the building. At first, he stayed behind her like a shadow, not saying a word, silently hovering. But as they walked down more aisles and were alone most of the time, he started to come out of his shell.

She knew where her favorite paranormal books were kept, and she pulled one off the shelf and handed it to Thaddeus. “You should read this. I think you would like it.”

“Chosen? What’s it about?”

“Teenage vampire slayer. It’s the first book in the Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy.”

Thaddeus snorted. “Now I have to read it.”

“You won’t be disappointed. Barbara Ellen Brink knows how to craft a great story.” She smiled as he tucked the book under his arm. She continued to point out books she’d read, and he added two more to his stack before they were done. She picked out three as well, and they took them to the checkout.

He leaned on the counter and crossed his arms as she checked out the books. “You seem more relaxed,” she said, trying to sound nonchalant. Inside she was dancing.

He smiled at her. “This was nice. Maybe we could…do it again sometime.”

This time she let her face show what she was feeling. “Really?”

He nodded. “Yeah.”

They left the library, stepping out into the cold night air. Had it dropped in temperature since they went in? They hadn’t been in there that long. She hugged the books to her chest and walked on the sidewalk toward her car.

A man walked on the sidewalk toward them, his head down. He shoulder slammed into Thaddeus. “Oh,” he said, looking up. “Sorry.” Then his eyes narrowed. “Hey, you’re that guy.”

Thaddeus frowned and ducked his head. “I don’t know you.”

The man wouldn’t be deterred. “I saw you hanging around outside the bar a few weeks ago. You got in the middle of a knife fight. Really stupid thing to do.” He cracked his knuckles and took a step closer.

Recognition flashed across Thaddeus’s face before he scowled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Hey, man, I don’t forget a face. Especially not yours.” He pushed Thaddeus’s shoulder, hard.

Thaddeus made a low growling noise in his throat. Aribelle squeezed Thaddeus’s arm in hopes that would calm him down. “We were just leaving.”

“I hope you’ve learned your lesson, not to butt into the middle of things where you don’t belong.” The man backed up a few steps, then turned around and walked away.

Aribelle hurried Thaddeus to the car, distraught that their outing had been ruined. Now Thaddeus would never agree to go out with her again. She could already see the lecture that would come when they were alone in the car.

But instead of lecturing her, he sat still and silent as she drove. Every once in a while, she’d glance at him, but he looked the same. Finally, about a mile away from his home, she blurted out, “I hope that little run-in doesn’t discourage you from going out in public anymore.”

He gave her a flat look. “Little run-in? The man barely touched me and I almost lost it. If you think we’re okay pretending we’re some happy couple, you’re delusional.”

She didn’t know what to say. If she could kick that man in the shin, she’d do it. Why had that had to happen? She’d only wanted to spend a nice evening together…

But she was living in a fantasy world again. Deep down, she knew it. Thaddeus couldn’t change, and she shouldn’t expect him to. She sighed and turned into his driveway. She couldn’t stay with him any longer. She had to move on with her life. Tomorrow she’d move out and start looking for a new job.

Chapter 24

Thaddeus didn’t know what heexpected Aribelle to do, but packing up and leaving wasn’t it. He’d figured she would hang around at least for another week. Maybe two. Sure, he’d secured her an apartment, and it was move-in ready, but she’d been dragging her feet so much he hadn’t thought she’d move so soon.

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