A couple of hours later, I headed to the library. I found Marium sitting at her desk, flipping through a catalog when I came in. She looked up, and her eyebrows rose. “Well, Westley. It’s been a while since you’ve been in.”
I smirked. “I knew you would miss me.”
She laughed. “I miss having my books properly put away and not stuffed in hiding spots.”
“Well, how else will I keep people from taking my books out?” I stopped at the counter, leaning on it.”
She shook her head. “You get yourself a library card and check the books out, just like everyone else.”
I heard the door open and looked over my shoulder, finding Gabriella as she walked in. She was wearing her winter jacket tightly around herself, with a blue puffy hat on her head. She was wearing high, thick winter boots and shivered as shewalked inside. “Lord, is it cold outside. I’m freezing. Every part of my body is cold.”
Gabriella pulled her hat off and spotted me. She smiled. “Oh, you’re here already.”
“I just arrived. To our usual spot?”
She swallowed. “Actually, I had a new spot.” She nodded her head toward the stairs. I followed her as she went up the stairs. I was surprised when she headed toward the back area. The space looked abandoned; even a shelf looked broken.
“What exactly is this place?”
“This is kind of forgotten,” she explained, pointing toward the book aisle. “I actually kind of like it now. No one ever comes over here, not even Marium. It’s quiet, and it’s kind of like a little hideout.”
“A little concerning that you say it’s forgotten,” I said as she took a seat on the ground. She patted the spot next to her. I sat down, looking around the space. I had to admit it was quiet back here. You couldn’t hear anything.
She leaned back, resting her head against the bookcase. She smiled as she looked around the space.
“Have you been reading these?” I asked, waving my hand at the shelves.
She nodded. “I’ve been looking through them. I’m trying to just learn the basics, but it’s kind of neat to look at the more advanced stuff.”
I picked up a book and flipped it open. “I’m glad you’re getting comfortable and confident with it.”
She smiled, reaching for a book off the shelves. “Can I show you some things?”
We spent time flipping through the different books, and I watched her show me little tricks she’d learned. We laughed as we made jokes. We were wedged together, looking into a book. I looked over at her, watching the way her eyes sparkled as she flipped the pages. Her mouth moved as she talked, explaining excitedly what she hoped to learn. I felt my heart skip a beat, and my chest tightened.
I knew that feeling. It was the same feeling I felt when we used to do this. The way my heart would stop beating, the way her laugh made me giddy. I was falling for her. Or I had already fallen in love with her. I fell for her long ago. But I never wanted to admit to it.
“Look at this.” She leaned closer, her arms pressing against mine as she pointed into the book. “It kind of makes me think about what water training we did.”
I thought back to the lake and what we did. I felt hot, suddenly aching to have her again. But I knew there was so much going on. We were getting along, and Lucia was in the house now. I needed to take things slowly and take my time. Besides, she had a lot of things going on herself.
Chapter 21 - Gabriella
I woke up to find the bed was empty. It had been almost two weeks since Lucia moved in. Westley and I managed to share his bed without issues. I hadn’t expected it to be so easy. I thought we might have issues, or I might get a little self-conscious or worried about sharing a space, but we didn’t. It seemed almost normal, like we had been doing it forever.
I got dressed and headed into the living room. I turned my laptop on before I slipped into the kitchen. I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down at my laptop. I was just gearing up for my new project I’d been assigned, when I heard a bedroom door. I leaned back and spotted Hazel as she came down the hallway.
“Morning,” I said, as I raised my mug to her.
“Morning.” She came and sat down next to me. She rubbed at her eyes as she sighed. “What are your plans today?”
“Work, I have a new project I have to get started on. I think I’m going to run and grab groceries. Maybe a walk later. I don’t have my entire day planned out yet. What are your plans?”
“I have a shift at the bar. I should probably shower before I go in.”
I heard a door open, and Lucia walked out of her room. She came down the hallway and gave both of us a smile. “Morning, guys.”
“Morning,” I said, smiling at her. “How did you sleep?”
