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TABITHA
“That man is smoking hot,” my friend and boss, Amelia, says as she gazes across the library.
She’s got a bunch of job applications for the new children’s librarian position stacked in front of her, but she’s no longer paying them any attention. She’s too busy ogling Cam. Or, more specifically, Cam’s butt.
I have to admit, Cam looks good from this angle. His jeans are just tight enough to show off some nice cheeks, and his light blue T-shirt stretches over his biceps as he sets down his stack of library books next to the self-checkout machine.
He’s sporting a bit of red stubble this afternoon, which means he skipped his morning shave. Chances are, he had to pull another all-nighter, but he still looks good enough to?—
“You’re checking him out, too, aren’t you, Tabs?” Amelia nudges me.
I grimace and shush her, even though Cam is definitely too far away to overhear.
Amelia chuckles. “Very librarian of you.”
I smooth out my knee-length, pleated skirt, pat the stack of books embroidered on my cardigan, and push my cat-eye glasses up the bridge of my nose. “I take my job very seriously.”
“Then, as your boss, I’m ordering you to ask that man out on a date.”
I roll my eyes, because I know she’s teasing.
Sometimes, it feels like the reference desk is our own little island. We whisper about almost everything here, from the books we’ve read, to Amelia’s latest dating fiascos, to how Millie’s octogenarian husband is secretly checking out books to learn tips for adding spice to their marriage.
“Come on, Ames. You know it’s not like that between us,” I say as I watch Cam riffle through his wallet for his library card. Maybe he left it at home again. The man’s always lost in thought, daydreaming, and forgetting things.
“Friends, huh?” Amelia’s eyes twinkle mischievously. “Is that why you’re ogling him?”
“I’m not ogling Cam! I’m just… making sure he doesn’t run off with any library books.”
Amelia snorts. “That’s what the RFID tags are for.”
We spent weeks attaching the little buggers to every single book in our small town library. They hold key information that Byron—our shelving robot—uses to place books exactly where they belong. And, as a bonus, the tags also trigger the alarm if anyone tries to leave with a book that hasn’t been checked out.
“I don’t get what’s holding you back.” Amelia sighs. “He’s cute. He’s single. Hell, maybe I should ask him out.” I feel a twinge of a feeling that’s not very friendly until she adds, “And I would, if he didn’t spend every waking moment with you. I can’t compete with that.”
“We’re just friends, Amelia.” I briefly wonder if I’m the reason Cam doesn’t really date. Are other women steering clear because I’m always around? Should I back off? Spend less time with him? My own dating life lately has been as empty as the book return bin Byron just finished clearing, but I would never jeopardize the friendship Cam and I share.
“You really should reconsider and jump the man’s…” Amelia trails off as Cam finishes putting his books in the gray Maple Valley Library tote bag which I bought for him at our library gift shop, and turns toward us. She grabs her stack of job applications and sing-songs, “Act natural.”
“I was acting natural,” I hiss back, then take a page out of Amelia’s book and start randomly clicking my computer mouse as I glide it around the pad. “You’re a terrible influence!”
“What’s she trying to get you to do this time?” Cam asks as he approaches our desk. “Dog ear book pages?”
Amelia and I gasp in unison.
“I would never,” I say in genuine horror.
Cam gives me that huge grin that makes my belly do a flip. I ignore the feeling and grin back. “If you keep talking about dog-eared pages, I’ll take it as a sign to get you more bookmarks.”
“A man can never have too many bookmarks.” He leans right over the reference desk and takes in a deep breath. “Is it just me, or do I smell old books?”
I pretend my heart isn’t racing as I roll my eyes and fight to keep my cool. “Jane brought in a box of the book perfume she’s promoting. Gotta take advantage. And speaking of Jane…” I glance up at the Alice In Wonderland inspired, clock-sized pocket-watch on the wall and realize it’s past five. She should have been here to relieve me. “She didn’t call in sick, did she?”
Amelia shakes her head. “I’m sure she’ll be here any minute now.”
Cam leans one muscled arm on the counter. “I hope you’re hungry, Tabs, because I ordered your favorite.”
My mouth waters. “Tacos? From Tasty Tostadas?”
