Page 44 of The Librarian and the Rock Star

“Hey, gorgeous.”

Every silly pink sparkle girlie feeling I’ve ever had fluttered up into my chest. “Hi, Jack.”

“What are you up to tonight?”

“Just staying in, maybe cleaning the kitchen.”

“I expected something a little more exciting from the woman who controls all of the information on the planet.”

I giggled. “Don’t be so silly.”

“Although, I do know something you don’t.”

“Oh really?” I hoped that even with the long distance connection he could hear me rolling my eyes.

“I know what you’re having for dinner.”

I opened the fridge. There was a container of leftover Thai noodles from the other night, and enough vegetables for a small salad. “Really? Do tell.”

“You’re having steak, with a side salad, half of my fries, and a few glasses of Shiraz.”

My laughter rang through my apartment, and I swear Lizzie looked at me strangely.

Knock knock.

“Hold on,” I said, “There’s somebody...”

I opened the door to Jack’s stunning face, which was grinning ear to ear. My body launched itself at him in a bear hug before my brain had time to whisper, play it cool, stupid.

We met in a searing kiss, my lips absolutely starving for his. I felt ridiculous, out of control, and totally exposed. I just couldn’t manage to have a poker face around Jack.

“Wow,” he finally said, “You get saucy when I leave you alone for three whole days.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, stepping back and trying to pull myself together.

“I like it,” he said with a grin.

“Come on in,” I said, gesturing to my all in one kitchen, living room, dining room.

Jack looked around appreciatively. “Nice place.” He looked at my two overflowing bookshelves and chuckled. “I’m surprised your library isn’t bigger.”

“Oh, don’t worry, there’s more in the bedroom.”

He looked at me and raised an eyebrow, carefully keeping quiet for a moment.

I went over to the lizard enclosure, nearly eye level on its tall stand. “Lizzie, this is Jack. He’s a bit odd, but I think he’s a good guy.”

“Hi, Lizzie,” Jack said very solemnly, peering in through the glass. She took a few steps toward him, perhaps reacting to his low voice. “See? She likes me.” He peered closer. “Oh, she’s missing half of one leg.” He grinned over at me. “Do they make pirate peg legs this small?”

Then he looked at the photograph taped across her back wall. “That’s a weird shot,” he said. “Is that what you were doing in the alley last week?”

“Yeah, I change her scenery quite often.”

He stared more carefully. “Is that my wrist cuff?”

Dammit, I thought to myself. Busted. “Possibly. I must have hit the button accidentally while I was getting up, and the sun kind of washed you out, but it’s such a weird shot I printed it anyway.”

Jack turned to me with the strangest smug grin. “Tell me you put that photo up before the Junk Club show.”

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