“I should hope so. Choose a book and write me the name. I’ll get ten copies delivered here.”
“Amazing!”
The few people in the library shush him, as if they’re allergic to sound.
Owen spends most of his shift creating posters for his book club. There’s enough paper and colors for him to use, though he’ll make bigger versions once he buys more supplies. For the first book club meeting, he chooses a book that is relatively popular, hoping it will attract more people.
It’s hard to believe that just this morning, he was doing undercover work for the police and getting high in the process. He feels fine now, his body more than capable of withstanding a bit of weed. Nate told him they should wait a few days before returning to buy more.
As he sketches and occasionally serves the customers, he can’t help but glance at the front door every once in a while, hoping to see a specific someone walking in. It’s too soon for Will’s sister to have finished all three books, but Owen still wishes to be pleasantly surprised by Will’s appearance. He could try calling his house, but they only went out yesterday evening, and he doesn’t want to come off as clingy.
The hours pass by quickly. When it’s time to close, Owen slips his sketches into his backpack, then goes over the process of locking up the library. It’s dark by the time he leaves, and the area is quiet except for a few people walking around. He rubs his stomach, deciding it’s time for dinner. Since there’s only one place where he might come across a certain someone, he heads off to Rodie’s.
Unfortunately, Will is nowhere to be seen when he steps inside. The music is loud as usual, and the large space is packed with people.
“Yo, Owen!” Bradley waves him over. He always manages to get the same table right at the center, like he brought it with him from home. He’s sitting with Esteban, and there are two glasses of beer between them. Owen walks over to join them, placing his backpack on the floor.
“You came from work?” Bradley asks.
“Yep. Did you guys eat already, or are you waiting for Will?” He hopes the question came out innocent.
“Not sure if he’ll show up,” Bradley says. “It’s hard to know with him these days. I’ll be heading home soon—my wife is making lasagna.”
Esteban whistles. “Oh no.”
Bradley sighs and tells Owen, “My wife—God bless her—is the worst cook in all of Carter County. Now that she’s about to give birth, her taste buds are worse than usual. It’s brutal.”
Esteban puts his hand on Bradley’s shoulder. “You’re a good man.”
“I am, aren’t I? Anyway, Esteban also has dinner waiting at home, so you’re on your own, man. Best go order at the bar ’cause they’re short on staff tonight. It took us twenty minutes to order drinks.”
“Thanks, I’ll do that.” He walks over to the bar, debating what to order. Maybe BBQ ribs? Fish and chips? The food here is great, even though they can afford to cut corners with how few competitors they have in town. Owen leans on the counter with his elbows, waiting for Bill to come over once he’s done making drinks. A country song is playing in the background; the singer’s voice is nice and deep, reminding Owen of another voice he heard singing recently.
“Hi, newcomer,” Bill says. “What will it be?”
“I’ll go with the fish and chips.”
“Make that two.”
Owen spins around, his heart beating faster. “Oh, hi. Didn’t see you.”
“Just got here.” Will tells Bill, “Add a pint of Bud Light.”
“Alright. Someone will bring it to your table. I’m short one waitress tonight, so it might take a bit longer.”
“That’s fine,” Owen says. When he’s alone with Will—as much as one can be alone in a crowded bar—he says, “I was hoping to see you.”
That feels more like a thought than something I should have said.
Will raises an eyebrow. “Did you?”
“Well, you know. I had fun yesterday. Oh, wait. You’re not flannel. Is everything okay?”
Will laughs. “I have other shirts.”
He’s wearing a black polo that sits perfectly around his broad shoulders and muscular chest.
“How was your day?” Owen asks. They should probably go sit with the other two, but then the conversation won’t be private.
