Page 17 of Falling for Keeps

I spot the teacher, Ari, pull up the rear of the group and make my way toward her while she counts the kids. The high school principal, Wade Stevenson, steps in behind her. His hair is pushed to the side and his mustache looks neat. I’d heard they started dating, but I didn’t quite believe Ari would go for a guy with a reputation for not taking relationships seriously.

“Hey guys,” I say, sidling up to them.

“All here,” she says, shooting me a smile. “Glad we didn’t lose anyone to the bakery on our way in.”

“Like anyone would ditch a field trip about books. I can’t wait to get going.”

“You’re such a nerd,” Ari says, laughing.

“Okay, English teacher.” I grin. “You just missed your mom, by the way. She was stocking up on romance novels.”

Ari nods like this is no surprise. “Something has to help her escape all the wedding planning. Otherwise, she’ll think of nothing else until Landrie’s married.”

I’ve been around Demi for the past six months while she’s prepped for her big day so I have an idea of how all-consuming it can be. Poor Barb. Poor Ari.

The volume rises as the kids begin to talk. “I’ll get started.”

“Let us know how we can help,” Wade says.

“Want to get them wrangled?” I nod toward the ones who started wandering off.

Ari claps her hands twice. “Alright everyone, focus. This is Ms. Harper, one of the librarians, and she’s going to walk us through different ways you can research here. Let’s listen up and be respectful.”

The kids turn their attention to me. “First, show of hands. How many of you have a library card?”

A handful of arms go in the air.

“Who knows if you have to have a library card to use the facilities or study here?” I ask.

The silence that meets me is littered with fidgety hands and the sound of a patron in the back on one of the computers.

“The answer is no,” I tell them. “You don’t have to have a card. We’ll distribute guest passes for the computers today for anyone who needs one. You’re welcome to use them anytime you need to—just ask the front desk. But if you want to take books home, you need a card to check them out, and having one makes logging in to the computers simpler. Any questions?”

“Can we get a card today?”

“A parent or guardian needs to sign for it, so if you don’t have one today, come back and visit and I’ll help get you set up. Now, you’re here for research projects, right? So let’s move on to the computers and go over how to look up books that fit your subject matter.”

The full tour didn’t take very long, letting the kids get to work pulling books and sitting at the computers as they research what they need for their assignment. Maggie is sitting at the front desk, helping a family check out a stack of picture books, and Seth is in the back, doing who-knows-what. Ari and Wade walk through the students with me, offering help to those who need it. Ari rounds the tables, her arms folded patiently over her ruffled white shirt.

I lean against an empty table in the back and she comes to sit next to me. “Great class,” I tell her. “One of the better listeners this year.”

“They’re pretty cool.”

Maggie shoots us a look as the family leaves with their bulging bag of books, then turns her attention to her phone.

“Why does she work here?” Ari whispers. “Does she even read?”

“Yes.” Honestly, I’ve wondered the same thing, but Maggie shows up to book club ready to chat about the book. “Convenience, probably.”

“It’s shocking she can go anywhere without bringing along her fiancé.”

“Oh, he’s in every conversation, never you fear,” I say.

Ari shoots me a smile.

“How is everything going at the high school?” I look pointedly at Wade as I say this. He’s leaning over a boy, reading something in his open book, and his smile is handsome even from here.

She tracks my gaze to Wade, cheeks pinking. “Oh, you know. It’s going.”