I turned, and there he was, waiting patiently for me to end my conversation with Kitty.
“We are still talking today, right?” Braxton asked.
“Yes,” I said, and my voice came out steadier than it had all day. “Even if we have to hide.”
His smile deepened. “I know a place.”
A warmth spread through my chest, easing some of the tension that had been coiled there since yesterday. The idea of being alone with him, even for a few minutes, felt like stepping into a quiet room after a day of shouting.
Then he did the most magical thing. He took me by the hand, leading me through the chaos.
Chapter Fifteen: The Library
Braxton
I took her hand before I could talk myself out of it.
The moment presented itself like a narrow opening in a crowd. Jane had just finished answering a question for Kitty. I stepped into her path and reached for her hand, not grabbing, not pulling, just letting my fingers close around hers as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Come with me,” I said quietly.
She startled for half a second. Then her fingers tightened around mine, warm and sure, and she nodded.
I didn’t let go. Gently guiding us through the crowded room, away from the chaos that threatened to disrupt us yet again, I found our destination.
The library was tucked away at the back of the inn, past a narrow hallway that most people forgot existed. It was small, barely used, and usually smelled faintly of dust and old paper. Dex had built it for the purpose of giving Lucy a space for herself, where she could relax and read. Tonight, it felt like a refuge. I pushed the door open with my shoulder and steppedinside, guiding Jane in ahead of me before closing it gently behind us.
The latch clicked.
The sound was soft, but it felt decisive.
We stood there for a second longer than necessary, hands still linked between us like neither of us was quite ready to acknowledge it. Then we both seemed to realize it at the same time and let go, awkwardly, our hands dropping back to our sides.
Jane laughed quietly and I did too.
The room was warm in that comforting way old rooms tended to be. Lamps cast pools of golden light instead of harsh brightness. Bookshelves lined the walls, mismatched volumes donated by guests and more furnished by Dex’s generosity. There was a small reading nook beneath the window and two armchairs that looked like they had been reupholstered at least twice.
It was comfortable and cozy.
Outside the window, snow drifted down slowly, the town lights glowing softly beyond the glass.
Jane took a breath that sounded like she had been holding it all day.
“Thank you,” she said.
“For kidnapping you?” I asked with the beginnings of a smile.
“For… this,” she said, gesturing vaguely at the room, at the quiet. “For stopping the chaos.”
I nodded. “It felt necessary.”
She smiled at that, a small, real smile that made my chest ache.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence wasn't uncomfortable, but it was heavy with everything we had not saidyet. I shifted my weight, suddenly aware of how much I wanted to get this right.
“I should say something first,” I said finally.
Jane tilted her head. “Okay.”
