We were slipping into something risky, something that I didn’t want to think too hard about.
“I ... need to finishclosing up.”
Piper blinked, as if she was finally realizing how late she’d stayed. “Oh, right. I’m sorry for keeping you.”
“It’s ...” It wasn’t fine. It was a bad idea, striking up a friendship with her.
She waited for me to continue. I had no idea what to say.
“I’ll get out of your way then,” she said before going back to her table to gather her things. Guilt settled into my chest and I tried to rub it away. It didn’t work.
She got to the door before I spoke up. “Piper?”
“Yeah?” She turned to me.
“You should really go to the library on a good day. I have a feeling you’d love it.”
Piper opened her mouth, but then shut it. She gave me a nod before leaving the shop, and I sighed once I was fully alone.
Way to stay away from her, Theo.
When I was a kid, I’d been terrible at following rules.
I didn’t realize I still was.
7
PIPER
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Marjorie Brown:Need a good book. Anyone got recs for the library? The wilder the better!
Comments:
Tammy Jane:Have you ever heard of the omegaverse?
Marjorie Brown:Yes. And knotting too. If I wasn’t into the beef sandwich, I would’ve been curious.
Jade Clark:I thought you didn’t like meat, Marj.
Kerry Winsor:Wait . . .
Kerry Winsor:WHAT KIND OF BEEF SANDWICH?
I gavemyself a second to breathe before walking through the doors of the library. It was a new day, and I was determined to make decent progress on my goals.
And the library was one of the reasons I moved here. When I saw it all come together, I knew it was the stuff of readers’dreams. That and the glimpses of the close-knit community would make anyone want to move here.
I knew that TV wasn’t like reality, and I’d prepared myself for disappointment when I made my way through those doors.
But it was even moreimpressive in person than in photos. My jaw dropped as I saw the books lining the walls.
“Oh, Hen,” a voice said. “We got another one.”
My jaw snapped shut as I turned. An older woman with long, gray hair stared at me from a desk. She had a smile on her face, one that I forced myself to return.
I would make a good first impression. Ihadto.
