Page 42 of The Librarian and the Rock Star

24. Things Working Out

I woke up feeling strangely rattled, and I didn’t know why. I checked my temperature, but there was no fever. Perhaps I had weird dreams I couldn’t remember, or there was a storm moving in and the air pressure was making me glitchy.

As I grabbed my phone on the way out the door, I realized it was Wednesday. Jack was coming back to Toronto tomorrow night. My heart jumped up into my throat and my hands began to shake. I’ve never been this excited to see a guy, ever.

What was happening to me? This was nonsense, getting so worked up over someone I barely knew. My heart continued screaming at me, informing me that I was falling for him and that it was okay. But my brain wasn’t ready to take a message.

When I got to work, it was oddly quiet. Nobody was crowded in the coffee room discussing last night’s round of reality TV. When I walked by everyone’s desks, they all gave me a cheery, “Good morning!” then went back to their screens.

A shiver almost went through me. It appeared that they were actually working. When I opened my email, there was a slew of messages from each team member, reviewing a project on their list that they’d ignored, outlining what they would do, and an approximate timeline for fulfillment.

I blinked back tears. My hope in humanity was restored. I didn’t trust that this would last the week, but the fact that they were trying was truly stupendous.

My phone blinked just past noon, and there was a text from Jack.

Jack: I hope that your inspirational emails worked. I have great faith in you.

Me: It worked! I think. We’ll see if things last, but there is actual progress being made.

Jack: See? You’re amazing. I knew you could do it.

Jack: Hey, it’s Wednesday – are you going out to take photos in a dirty back alley in the hopes that you meet more rock singers?

Me: Haha. I think that one unusual boy in my life is enough for now. Since I’m just learning how to kick ass, I’ll have to really focus.

Jack: I’m a boy in your life? That thought makes me grin ear to ear. The lady here at the coffee shop just gave me the strangest look. Good for you! Very happy that you’re kicking ass.

Me: Running a business like a business shouldn’t be considered kicking ass, but there it is. I’m sure the lady just recognized you and wants an autograph.

Jack: A girl asked me for an autograph last night, and shyly asked if I had a girlfriend.

Me: What did you tell her?

Jack: Um, I don’t know if I should say anything.

Me: You already did by bringing it up. Spit it out.

Jack: I didn’t know what to say. She took one look at my face while I thought about it and started giggling. She said that I have a girl and I don’t know what to call her yet! She laughed her head off.

Me: That poor headless girl. Look at what you’ve done. For shame.

I tried to be flippant to deflect the larger issue. He was so open, and I didn’t mind, but I felt the red flag stating ‘too much too fast’ was flapping in the breeze. Wasn’t it?

Jack: She’ll survive. She promised not to tell the entire internet.

Me: That was nice of her.

Jack: Perhaps in time I can give her a better answer.

Me: Perhaps.

Jack: I know, I’m trying to be casual, to be cool. But I absolutely adore everything about you, and every time I picture your face I think my heart might burst.

I didn’t know how to respond. I couldn’t let those three dots float there for long, but I was lost in a tornado of thoughts flying in spirals.

Jack: Please say something.

Me: I don’t know what to say. My hands are shaking.

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