Laughing, I nod. “You know I don’t shop, Mila. I still have money in savings, but I want to pad it as much as possible.”
“Well, you know what they say?”
“What do they say?”
“A lot of things, really. All work and no play makes Cora a dull girl. Or, of course, money can’t buy happiness, but damn if it doesn’t help.” She rolls her eyes, making me laugh. “Above all else, though, Cora, what good is having a life if you’re not going toliveit?” She gives me a pointed look. “You deserve someone who will see and appreciate you.”
Well shit.She might be on to something. Glancing at the clock on the wall, I realize I’m going to be late if I don’t leave soon. Offering her a smile, I give her a quick squeeze and pull out of her hold. “I’ll think about it, Mila. I have to get going.”
“Good, you do that. Here, take a couple of these with you. Save one for your new guy for later.” She winks, handing me a box of muffins. “And this one is for the others.” She laughs, giving me a second one. “They’re quite the crew.”
“They really are,” I agree. Grabbing the boxes, I head out of the kitchen. Mara is finishing up with a customer and gestures for me to wait.
Handing me a cup from behind the counter, she offers me a smile. “Make sure you tell Atlas ‘good job’ from me.” Looking at the cup, I internally pump my fist because, by the looks of it, she made my favorite iced drink for me anyway.
“I’m not doing that,” I hiss at her with a scowl.
“Oooohhh, so scary, Cora.” She laughs. “Have a good day, Mrs. Ink.”
“What the…” Looking at the side of my cup where a customer’s name would usually go, in black marker are the wordsMrs. Inkwith a heart. Whipping my head in her direction, I meet her gaze with a smile.
“Toodles!”
Sometimes I wonder why we’re friends, and then on other days, I really wonder. Maybe Mila was onto something about the oxygen. Heading to the library, I realize for the first time I’m counting down the hours till I get to the shop.
Reshelving books has taken up the better part of an hour, but it’s given me time to think about everything. Mila is right… to a point. Growing up, there were many times when I didn’t know when the next meal would be, so I’ve made sure the house always has some type of food in it. My bills are paid on time, and every week I put money into savings. I wish the library gave me a few extra hours or paid a little more, but I’m beyond thankful I have a job I love. Not many people get to say that.
Noah and I take a trip every summer, even if it’s just for a long weekend. I want him to have all of the experiences I dreamed about. He’ll never have to work a double to get the power turned back on, or lock his bedroom door and shove a dresser in front of it to keep someone out.
I deserved better, but still, I came out of it all mostly unscathed. Not everyone is as fortunate as I was. There are so many kids who get lost in the system and mistreated. Maybe talking to someone would help, but what’s the point? I already know I have trust issues becausemy parents were the first people to let me down, and if they could do it in such an epic fashion, how would anyone succeed?
Lost in my thoughts, I turn around and run into a hard body. Righting myself, I rush out, “Oh, my goodness. I’m so sorry, I was in my own world there for a second.”
“No need to be sorry, Firefly. I didn’t mind having your body on mine.”
My head snaps up, and I find Atlas standing there with a broad grin on his face.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper, pulling him behind me to the non-fiction area.
Patrons rarely come into this section, but just to be certain, I look around and make sure no one sees us behind the tall shelves. Then I repeat my question, “What are you doing here?”
“It’s the public library. I’m part of the public,” he says as if it’s obvious.
“Are you serious?”
“No. I came to see you,” Atlas admits, reaching out his hand for my arm. He tugs me into his hold and leans down to my face. “I missed you.”
Smiling, I pull back a bit. “Atlas, I just saw you last night. It’s been like twelve hours.”
“That’s a long time.”
Shaking my head at him, a thought occurs to me. “Do you even have a library card?”
“Nope.”
“So, you came to the library when you don’t even have a library card?”
“You’re here, so I’m here.”
