"Rachel, dear?" Mrs. Henderson's voice called from the main desk. "Your face is very flushed. Are you feeling well?"
Rachel pressed her cool hands to her cheeks and stepped out of the break room. "I'm fine, Mrs. Henderson."
"Mmhmm." Mrs. Henderson's eyes sparkled with knowing amusement. "I saw Mac leaving. He brought you lunch, how lovely."
"He's very thoughtful."
"He's in love with you, dear."
Rachel's breath caught. "Mrs. Henderson—"
"Oh, don't Mrs. Henderson me. That boy looks at you like you hung the moon. And unless I'm very much mistaken, youlook at him the same way." She patted Rachel's hand. "It's nice to see you happy."
"I am happy," Rachel admitted quietly. "That's what scares me."
"Happiness is supposed to be scary, dear. That means it matters." Mrs. Henderson returned to her book. "Now, about those new releases..."
After she was done with Mrs. Henderson Rachel went back to reshelving, but her mind was miles away.
12
Mac
Mac had been dating Rachel for almost four weeks.
Four weeks of texts that made him smile like an idiot during practice. Three weeks of stolen kisses in library stacks and bookstore aisles. Three weeks of watching Rachel slowly, carefully, let him in.
And Mac wanted more. He wanted everything.
But right now, he wanted Rachel to meet his team. Officially. Not just casual run-ins at the rink, but as his—
Well. That was the question, wasn't it?
Were they dating? Yes. Were they exclusive? He hoped so. Were they official enough that he could introduce Rachel as his girlfriend?
Mac had no idea. And it was driving him insane.
His phone buzzed on the kitchen counter. The team group chat was, predictably, chaos.
Cole:So Rachel's coming to O'Brien's tonight, right? Team dinner? Ellie's excited to meet her properly.
Jamie:About time MacKenzie let us meet the mysterious librarian. I promise to be on my best behavior. (No guarantees.)
Luke:THIS IS SO EXCITING! Mac has a GIRLFRIEND!
Mac:She's not my… we haven't actually defined what we are yet.
Jamie:Dude. You've been on more than four dates. That's girlfriend territory.
Luke:YOU'VE BEEN ON FOUR DATES AND DIDN'T TELL US ABOUT ALL OF THEM???
Tyler:Statistically, four dates with the same person within three weeks indicates serious romantic interest and implied exclusivity.
Mac:Tyler, thank you for that very romantic assessment.
Tyler:You're welcome.
Cole:Mac, ignore them. But seriously, are you going to ask her? To make it official?
