Page 16 of Falling for Keeps

By the time I finish stapling the decorations on the bulletin board—heart filled border included—there’s a familiar woman standing at the desk, checking out a stack of romance novels.

I tap the hardback on top. “Loved that one.”

Barb Langford shoots me a delighted smile, and not a blonde hair moves out of place. Her eyes crinkle kindly. “No spoilers!”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“How is the new bathroom coming along?”

“It’s coming,” I say vaguely. I’m not about to admit that it’s been nothing but subfloor and sink-less for a month now. At least the upstairs toilet is still hooked up.

She hands over her library card to Maggie but looks back at me. “My nephew isn’t too far away. I’m sure he’d be willing to come in and help you.”

Because nothing says romantic first date like grouting my tiles.

Maggie rolls her eyes. “Emma has a boyfriend, Mrs. Langford.”

“Oh?” Barb glances at me over the rim of her readers while stuffing her paperbacks into a canvas bag.

“Only if book boyfriends count.”

“They don’t,” Maggie says. “I was thinking of the guy you were with when we all went out.”

Barb laughs uncomfortably, giving me a look. Maggie usually loves pushing her perfect relationship and incredible fiancé in my face, but this is a weird, pointed statement I don’t know what to do with.

“You have romance fever from planning your daughter’s wedding, don’t you?” I ask Barb, trying to lighten the mood. Too bad Demi is on her honeymoon, because I’m sure Barb would want to chat weddings with her. I’ve come to learn that people who are preparing for the big day will talk and think about nothing else in the months leading up to it.

“Maybe I do.” She smiles. “Speaking of my daughters, I’d better get out of here before Ari shows up with her English class.”

I laugh politely, waving as she leaves. How did I end this conversation feeling like a loser when nothing negative was directly said to me? Maggie is a master at the Mean Girl craft. Once Barb is through the doors and we’re alone, I head for the back to get away from Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Ruthless.

But Seth, who graciously sat back and eavesdropped on that entire conversation, follows me into the processing room. “High school English class will be here soon.”

“I’m ready for them.”

He nods, looking around like he might find a purpose for being in the back room if he searches long enough.

The pause draws out. “Is there something else I can do for you?”

Seth’s gaze zeroes in on me. “Dinner.”

This is the last thing I expected, so I have no immediate response. He’s waiting for an answer like he cares, but the second I agree and we’re out, he’ll be bored. He’s a chaser.

And I’m not running just so he can try to catch me.

“We’ve been there already,” I say gently, repeating what I said to him last time. “I think we’re better as friends.”

“Maybe a few months ago, but I’ve done a lot of soul searching, Emma. I can see some of the things you didn’t jive with last time we dated.”

Dated is a stretch, but okay. “I don’t want to mix my personal and professional lives like that anymore. It’s a me thing.”

“But you are dating.” He says this like he’s caught me.

Maggie pokes her head in. “The English class is here.”

I jump up and head for the door. Saved by the students. High school kids file into the building and group awkwardly around the front desk, many of them with a single earbud in as they half-pay attention to what’s going on around them.

Deep breath.