“It’s Frank,” he interjects as his smile flashes menacingly for a moment.
“Sure, Stank. You’re married, yet you’re still hitting on me in front of your kid’s school? You know your wife is just inside, right?”
“She doesn’t have to know.”
“But that’s assuming that I’m willing to go home with a guy named Funk.”
“Frank,” he corrects.
“You see, Tank, I don’t think it’s a good look for the mayor to be hitting on the newest constituent of Mystic River in front of the elementary school. That’s not a great way to get votes.”
Frank’s face turns a deep red as his breathing gets harder and his mouth contorts. He throws his car into drive and zooms away, not waiting for me to even step back.
Waving my hand in the air, I call out after him, “Bye, Skunk!”
Maybe outside air is exactly what I needed because I feel much better.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
RAVEN
Shoving the book on the shelf a little more forcefully than necessary, I end up knocking a couple off the opposite end.
The book did nothing wrong. I need to calm down.
But Kaitlyn’s words are replaying through my head over and over while I finish my shift at the library, and it’s making me ready to go off on her all over again.
Picking up the books that have become a victim of my temper, I try to nicely place them on the shelf.
“What I say goes. What I want, I get.”
Another slam and another thump on the ground.
“Woah. What did those books ever do to you?”
My head turns in the direction of the teasing comment, finding the man who is still one big mystery to me. The cowboy. He’s wearing his easy smile and typical southern getup. Boots, jeans, and a flannel.
Jed is a handsome man, but I’m starting to realize that my type leans more toward a specific pair of twins.
Is it wrong to want both brothers?
Sighing, I crouch down to pick up my mess again. “Nothing. I shouldn’t be taking out my frustrations on the works of…” I flip one of the books over to get a look at the cover. “Lo Gold.”
Jed crouches down with me, gathering up books. “Everything okay?”
“Just fine. Nothing to stress about.” We stand together, and he hands me the books to return to the shelf.
“Are you sure?” Jed asks with a tight expression.
My raised brows are all he needs to give up on his line of questioning. He twists his lips to the side like he’s mulling something over.
“Do you need help finding a book or something?” I watch as he shoves his hands in his denim pockets.
“No, I’m good.” His lips press into a thin line.
“You keep showing up here without checking out some books, and Florence might ban you,” I tease.
The rigidity in his body releases. “I’m sure she’ll forgive me.” His half-smile makes me feel like I’m having deja vu, but I can’t pinpoint why.
