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“Do we need like some sort of library card to take these?” Nix asks. “We don’t live here, so I don’t really know the rules.”

“Oh, there’s no need,” Dean says, rubbing the back of his neck. “These are actually from my own collection.”

“You’re letting us borrow your books?” I can’t help but ask, marveling at the warmth building inside my chest. “Really? Are you sure?”

“Are you going to make me regret letting you borrow them?”

“Absolutely not,” Nix says straight away, shaking his head. He holds the book against his chest like it’s something precious. “I promise I’ll take care of your book, Dean.”

“I know you will. Otherwise I wouldn’t have trusted you to borrow it. The only thing I ask in return is your honest feelings about it when you’re done.”

“I promise!” Nix says, a little bounce in his step. The three of us walk back to the desk where we initially found Dean working.

“What do you guys have planned for the rest of the day?”

“Probably just wandering around town in search of a place to eat before heading back to our hotel room. Now that we have something to read, I guess we’ll just order takeout for dinner and stay in,” I tell him, leaning against his desk once more.

Dean leans back in his chair, looking at us for a long moment. Finally, he nods to himself, like he’s coming to a conclusion only he understands.

“There’s a little cafe not far from here that I sometimes frequent. You could check it out for lunch. As for dinner, why don’t you come over to my place?”

“What?”

Dean looks away, the tops of his cheeks slightly pink. “I hate hearing that you’re eating out so much. Let me cook dinner for you.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Nix says right away. “We wouldn’t want to intrude!”

“You’re not intruding,” Dean says, shaking his head. “I’m inviting you. Both of you. If you’d rather not, I understand.”

“We accept,” I blurt out quickly. “If you’re sure,” I add.

“I’m sure,” Dean says, giving both of us a small smile. “I’ll text you my address,” he says, passing Nix his phone so that they can exchange numbers. A quiver of jealousy wiggles its way into my stomach. A moment later, Dean hands his phone to me.

I stare down at it for a long time before my fingers start to move, pressing my numbers into the space. I send myself a text so that I have his number as well.

Why does this make me feel so giddy? What the fuck is going on with me?

“I’ll see you guys later tonight then,” Dean says, taking his phone back.

“Bye, Dean!” Nix says before the two of us are leaving the library. I take our books, tucking them into my crossbody bag that I always wear.

I feel like I’m in a daze as we make our way down the street to the cafe that Dean recommended to us. I’m having a hard time understanding what I’m feeling. My limbs feel all fluttery, my cheeks warm that has nothing to do with the sun shining down on us.

Could I be developing some weird crush on Dean while also being in love with Nix? No, that can’t be happening. Why would that be happening?

Gods, I’m such a mess!

Nix and I get a table outside. We watch people walk by until the waiter comes to take our order.

“Dean has great taste,” Nix says, looking around. “This place is so cute and all the food sounds really yummy.”

I hum in acknowledgement. “It’s nice.”

“There’s something going inside that pretty head of yours. I wish you’d talk to me about it.”

I startle, my eyes landing on Nix who’s staring at me, his face in his hands. “It’s nothing you have to worry about, Nix. Just overthinking.”

“You know I’ll worry about you no matter what, right? You’re my bro. Bros always look out for each other.”