“You really couldn’t find it?”
“Nope. I needed an expert’s help.”
“I’m flattered,” I deadpan, bending over to pull the book from the shelf. Heat dances across my back, and if I was a betting woman, I would say that Henry’s eyes were glued to my ass. It was the same hot stare I felt the first night we met.
I quickly grab the book and stand up. “Here. And here,” I say, trying to hand him the manilla folder.
When I hand him the folder, our fingers brush against each other, and static zips up my arm. I panic and let go of the folder before he can properly grab it. Chaos ensues, and papers start flying everywhere.
“Oh shit!” I yell, bolting into action.
Henry and I both lunge for the papers at the same time,and almost as if we’re trapped in aThree Stoogesmovie, our heads clunk together. I land on my butt against the harsh Library carpet, and pain swells in my forehead.
We both look up simultaneously, and our laughter fills the small corner of the library. "Smooth,” Henry jokes, caressing the red spot forming on his forehead.
“I’m so sorry,” I manage to say between my laughing fit.
I look up and Henry is already on his hands and knees, gathering the papers with a huge smile on his face. “I really wish you’d stop apologizing so much. Unless you want to apologize for having such a hard head, then I would accept that.”
My eyes widen, and he reacts with another swoon-worthy grin. “I’m joking.”
“Right,” I counter, joining him in gathering the loose papers. “I would have agreed with you though. Milo went through a head-butting phase, so I know for a fact I have a hard head.”
Henry smiles, and I mirror his expression. “I’m sure my head caused more pain than a one-year-old. Here, let me see.”
My entire body stills when he reaches for my face. His hand caresses my left cheek, and it takes everything in me not to melt into his arms right then and there.
If the warmth of his hand wasn’t enough to push me over the edge, his scent was
intoxicating. It was a smooth blend of sandalwood and vanilla with subtle notes of amber that reminded me of the rich brown color of his eyes. It glided through the air around me, threatening to wrap me up and never let go.
“Emma?”
“Yes,” I panic, realizing he just repeated himself. His hand is now safely at his side, and my cheek feels cold and lonely.
“Do you have any ice here? I can go and get you some if not.”
The nurturing tone of his voice is like a bucket of ice waterbeing dumped on my head. I should’ve been flattered by his offer. He was being nice, but it felt dangerous.
“I’ll be fine,” I say, clearing my throat. “We’re actually closing soon.”
Henry notices my cold tone and stands up from the floor with the papers now neatly stacked inside the folder.
“Okay. Well, thank you for this and this,” he says, motioning to the discarded book on the table. “I should probably get going then.”
I stand up and straighten out my jeans. “Did you want to check that book out?”
“Maybe not today. I’ll be back for it though.” His declaration sends chills through my bones.He’ll be back.
He gives me one more knee-wobbling smile, and I plaster on a smile in return. As he navigates his way toward the front of the building, the thought of seeing Henry every week settles like a hard rock in my stomach. I can feel my brain developing an unsolicited crush, and I want to burn it from my mind immediately.
Henry was nice, but I didn’t need nice right now. I needed to focus on finishing school and taking care of Milo. I could figure out the love stuff when I finally got time to catch my breath.
But if there was one thing about my new neighbor, it was that he had an uncanny ability to steal my breath.
CHAPTER 5
“Wait a second. The hot professor tried to take care of you, and you gave him the cold shoulder?” my best friend questions, shifting Milo to her other hip.
