Page 54 of Must Love Libraries and Libations
I coughed uncomfortably, realizing that Juniper must have known something about Primrose and me. I had not realized Primrose and the herbalist were close. But, of course, I didn’t. Aside from names, I knew little about the people of the village.
“Yes. Yes, you were. And thank you. I hope she’ll like it,” I said, feeling so awkward I thought I might literally turn to stone…an effect that didn’t come upon gargoyles until our deaths.
“She will. And more, the intention behind it, if I am reading you right.”
“You are.”
“All this to impress a girl?” Granik asked with a nod. “And Primrose at that? Why didn’t you say so? Well done,” he said, clapping me hard on the back, causing a small plume of dust to rise from my jacket. “Blimey, friend. How old is that frock?”
“Well, I suppose…” I said, thinking back to when I had purchased my heavy blue brocade jacket. “If the library is eleventy-one this year, I suppose… Well, it is a few years older.”
“Dust-covered, moth-worn, and ink-stained,” Granik said, eyeing the outfit. “No offense, but if you are about all this to impress a woman, that jacket is never going to do. You’re about my size. I know how to fix this. What do you think, Junie?” he asked Juniper.
She smiled. “I think that’s an excellent idea.”
“Good. We’ll attend to it in the morning. You’ll come by my place,” Granik told me with a decisive nod, then narrowed his gaze. “Primrose is a very special person, you know. We all love her,” the orc told me, holding my gaze.
It did not escape my notice that the orc outsized even me, and the look that he gave me, effervescing big brother, was telling.
“I have courted her poorly up until now,” I admitted. “I will do so in the manner she deserves going forward… If she will have me. With your help, perhaps I have a chance of winning her forgiveness for my past behavior.”
Juniper smiled at Granik. “That is the perfect answer, don’t you think?”
“I do.”
Juniper gave the library one last look, her eyes drifting to the Wyrmwood tree. “I’ve forgotten how beautiful it is. I only saw it blooming once—through the door—when I came to drop off a tonic for Hemingway. Do you remember?”
“Yes. He overcame his cold quickly with your help.”
She smiled then gazed at the tree, the glow of the blossoms reflected in her eyes. “It’s truly a treasure of Moonshine Hollow, just like the bookwyrms themselves.” She set her hand on my arm. “We’ll see you tomorrow. And I wish you good luck.”
“Thank you, Juniper, Granik. I apologize, I think I spoiled your date night.”
They both laughed.
“We’re just friends,” Juniper replied.
The orc nodded in agreement, but I could have sworn I saw a flash of something cross his face.
“But we’ll leave you now. Granik’s growling stomach is becoming deafening,” she said lightly, taking the orc’s arm.
“Is not.”
“Don’t fib. It’s all right. The Surly Dragon should still be open. They have the best basil and tomato galettes.”
“And chops.”
“And chops,” Juniper agreed with a laugh, then turned to me. “Good night, Master Erasmus.”
“Good night.”
After the pair had gone, I stared at the Wyrmwood tree once more. She was right. It was a treasure. And it was time to share. The library was not my home. I had never realized that until I was in Primrose’s arms. I hadn’t ever really known what home felt like until I was with her. I only hoped I wasn’t too late to make things right.
CHAPTER 19
PRIMROSE
The following morning started off with a conversation with my mother that was about as pleasant as having a tooth removed. It began innocently enough, with her barging into my room as I made ready for the day to ask me what I was going to wear to the party. The barging was commonplace. The conversation that followed…
