Page 3 of My Book Boyfriend
His slender fingers pick upA Devilish Dare. “Maybe I should take this one.”
“I’m sure it would be an education,” I say.
“Do you think so?” he asks, a teasing note in his voice, those forest eyes studying mine, an eyebrow raised.
I swallow. “Maybe not.”
The corner of his mouth slants up.
I pushHe Had No Ideatoward him. “Do you have a library card?”
“No. But I can just apply with an ID, right? Do I have to give my home address? Or can I use my business address?”
“We need your home address,” I say. “Proof of residence is required.”
He takes out his ID but then pauses, as if reluctant to hand it over.
Probably because I’ve just been crawling around on the floor, discussing spine-tingling kisses—not exactly the most professional behavior.
He hands me his ID with his address, and I type it into the system. Rupert Evans. He looks like a Rupert. Penthouse.Of course.I hand him his new library card andHe Had No Idea, with the due date slip tucked in.
Mr. Devi seems to be inspecting our newest patron, his head craned around to look at Mr. Evans’s hands.
“You married?” Mr. Devi asks him.
The guy glances at him, his brow wrinkling. “No.”
Ah.Mr. Devi must be trying to match up his granddaughter. His daughter lives in California. His family has also moved away. Is his granddaughter getting a job in New York? That would be good. Then he wouldn’t be so lonely.
“You’re not married?” Mr. Devi confirms.
“Not married,” the guy says.
“This one here is a good catch.” Mr. Devi points at me. “Reminds me of my late wife. If I were forty years younger, like your age, I’d ask her out.”
I blushagain. And I can feel it. A deep, dark red.Great.Mr. Devi is trying to setmeup. I really do need to get a life if my library patrons are resorting to matchmaking.
The guy looks startled, his eyes widening. I busy myself, gathering all the scattered pens and placing them in the pencil mug.
“I’m sure she can do better and that she’s taken.”
“No. She’s definitely not taken,” Mr. Devi says.
Thanks for that, Mr. Devi.
Mr. Devi continues, almost to himself. “I can’t understand it, personally. Young men nowadays. And I agree with Bella. You went with Aiden last year to the gala, didn’t you? And he still hasn’t stepped up. Don’t give him a second chance.”
My neck feels hot. It must be as red as a tomato.
“Thank you—” Rupert pauses. “What’s your name?” I look up, and our glances meet. His head is tilted.
“Lily.”
“Thank you, Lily.” The way he says my name is like a caress. Way, way out of my league.
I’m a professional.Get it together.
Rupert leaves the counter. Mr. Devi watches him go. Frankly, I’d like to watch him go too, but I don’t dare turn around.
