Page 2 of My Book Boyfriend
“As in the pages of your novels? You should talk. It’s not like you’re dating anyone.”
“Found it!” Bella shrieks. “It was under the book bin.” She holds up the earring and looks at me. “But I may meet him tonight, which is why I need my lucky earrings.”
“He bought us cat grass. Look. He sent me a text.” I sit up on my knees and show it to Bella.
Bella, sitting cross-legged, puts her earring in and peers at my phone. “All right. He gets some credit for that.”
“Ahem.” A very pointed throat-clearing comes from above, on the other side of the checkout desk. And then a deep, male voice says, “Excuse me, do you haveHe Had No Idea? It’s a mystery that just came out today. It was sold out already at the bookstore nearby.”
I stand, dusting off my jeans, and blink. Tall, dark, tousled hair, chiseled cheekbones, green, hazel eyes. It’s like a book boyfriend just stepped out of the romance novels I read and into the library. His fitted suit does little to hide his muscular physique. He cocks one eyebrow. His lips are compressed into a thin line. He stares back at me. His hair is longish, a sharp contrast to the corporate vibe he gives off. Maybe he’s been too busy raiding corporations to get a haircut lately.
And behind him stands Mr. Devi, back again, as he is most nights, with a book in his hand, ready to check out right before closing time.
Lovely.I’m so thrilled they both heard that conversation. I can feel my cheeks heating up.
Bella gets up to stand next to me.
“You’ve got some fluff on your hair.” She pulls something off my ponytail.
The corners of the guy’s mouth twitch.
My blush deepens. It must match the color of Bella’s red-framed glasses.
“I’ll straighten your hair for the gala so it will look all sleek and sophisticated, like Grace Kelly,” she says.
This isnothelping. Is she not aware of the attractive guy standingright there?
“So, the book … do you have it?” he asks. “If not, I’ll buy the e-book so I can read it tonight. I just prefer paperback.”
“Did you check the shelves?” I ask, looking up its status on the computer, relieved to be able to focus on the screen.
“Yes. No copies, I gather? That’s too bad.” He pauses a minute, staring at me.
Do I still have dust bunnies in my hair?I resist the urge to check.
And then he walks away. His footsteps punctuate the silence as he turns and strides swiftly around the counter, past the rows of blue-screened computer terminals with the lion graphic, toward the glass doors.
I should let him go. He can clearly afford to buy the e-book. And I had just grabbed a copy for myself, since it was almost closing time. But it’s not like I don’t have a million other books on my #TBR that I could read instead. And here’s a chance to promote the library.
“We do haveonecopy left,” I say, but I don’t yell it. If he’s too impatient to wait, so be it.
He stops. Good hearing.
“You do?” His voice holds a hint of hope. He strides back. Mr. Devi gestures for him to take his prior place ahead of him in line. He hesitates and motions for Mr. Devi to precede him. Mr. Devi insists that he go first. Thanking Mr. Devi, he comes back to the front of the line.
“I do.” I turn around and pull the book out of my backpack, which is slouching on the back counter, ready to go.
“I can’t take your copy.” He leans over the counter—too close now. His eyes are like a forest, green with flecks of hazel, giving a feeling of light breaking through the canopy of leaves to illuminate a mossy grove. My heart races.
Clearly, I’ve been reading way too many romance books lately.
I plunk the mystery book down in front of him.Between us.Maybe my friends are right. I need to stop living in the pages of books and get out more if this is my reaction to a handsome library patron.
“You can take her copy.” Bella plopsA Devilish Daredown on the counter next toHe Had No Ideaand turns to me. “Lily, read this one tonight instead and tell me if you still want to go with Aiden to the gala.”
Tall, Dark, and Handsome stares at the racy cover of the barely dressed couple locked in an embrace.
I will not be embarrassed.
