“I will be right here if you need me,” Alexander said, letting go of her hand and placing his on her lower back.
Beatrice stopped walking and leaned into him, craving his support, as she waited for Roan to close the distance between them.
She wouldn’t give Roan the satisfaction of walking to him. She’d make him come to her.
“Hello, Beatrice,” Roan said as he approached. “I heard you were back in town.”
“Yes, I am,” Beatrice said. “With my husband.”
She didn't miss the way Roan's eyes widened at her words. It gave her immense satisfaction to see him realize that she was no longer in his reach.
“Your husband?” Roan asked. “Isn't that a little sudden?”
“Not at all,” Beatrice said with a winning smile. “Good day.”
With that, she walked past Roan and up the front steps of the building just beyond him before opening the door and pulling Alexander inside.
Once they were safely in, she grinned. “Did you see the look on his face?” she asked Alexander. “That was worth every moment.”
Alexander laughed. “I am glad it was satisfying.”
Before she could make a comment about Alexander laughing—had he actually laughed?—Eugenia appeared around the corner.
“Who’s this?” she asked, before gasping. “Beatrice, you're back!”
“I am,” Beatrice said, hurrying forward to give her friend a hug. “I’ve missed you.”
She took a step back and grabbed Eugenia by the shoulders. “And how are you getting along here?”
“We are getting along just fine,” Eugenia said. “Tom has been helping me.”
Oh, really? That was interesting news.
“Tom?” Beatrice asked with a grin, winking at the older woman, who began to blush.
“It's nothing,” Eugenia said.
“I don't think it is,” Beatrice said with a grin, “but I think you'll just have to tell me what happens the next time I come back.”
“You needn't rush to come,” Eugenia said, pointing her finger at Beatrice. “I'm getting along just fine. And apparently, you are too,” she said, turning to look Alexander over.
“I’m doing well enough,” Beatrice said. It was her turn to blush. Trust Eugenia to see straight to the heart of the matter—and she probably thought Alexander was handsome, too.
“I can see that. Now, you’d better get along and see Thea or she’ll be very cranky,” Eugenia said. “Get out of here and let me take my nap in peace.”
“You’re not napping when you have people in the library?” Beatrice asked.
“Of course not,” Eugenia said, shaking her head. “Who do you think I am?”
“A very tired human,” Beatrice said.
Eugenia reached out and gave her a little shove toward the door, pushing her into Alexander, who caught her easily.
Beatrice stared up at him, forgetting for a moment that they had an audience.
“Now you two lovebirds tell Thea I said hello,” Eugenia said, giving Beatrice a wink before heading back to the desk that had once been Beatrice’s.
There was a lump in her throat as Beatrice said, “I will. And Eugenia?”
