Page 3 of Read Me, Baby
“Oh, I know you love those love stories. I may be quiet, but I'm observant.” She leans in and whispers, “I love those stories, too, but don’t you want to read them with someone?”
It’d be nice to actually meet someone who wants to put down roots here, and it would be nice to read a book or two with them. My life is here. This is my love and I’m happy. Now I just need to find someone who wants that, too.
“That's exactly why he can’t get a date,” Maverick replies snarkily. “He’s too busy looking for a book girlfriend, even knowing they don’t exist. No one can be that sweet and perfect like the books make them.”
Slightly embarrassed that they all know I read these love stories, I still won't deny it. Shrugging I reply, “I like what I like. And I'm okay with holding out for someone who meets my standards.”
“Your standards are too high, don’t you wanna get laid?”
“Maverick!!” I exclaim and Mrs. Holly laughs.
“Oh boys, I'm going to miss hearing your banter. Don't worry, I was young once, too.” She stands and pats my face. “You’re a good man, Jay Parker. And the right woman is going to come along. You’re going to read to her, she’s going to read to you and you're going to have a story book love. Mark my words. In fact, with the new romance reader book club happening, maybe you’ll sit in on the group one night and fall in love with more than just a story.”
“Yeah, and find someone to sit on your face while you’re at it.” Wes’s snicker quickly turns to a groan when I punch his bicep. Sure, Mrs. Holly’s statement does sound nice, but I can’t imagine finding that here. I’ve grown up with everyone in town, they either know my life story or I’ve already dated them once or twice.
“I need a miracle girl to drop in my path.”
“I’ll be sure to send a prayer up for you.” Mrs. Holly says as she makes her way to the back counter again, grabbing a small stack of books to put on the shelves behind her.
I turn to Wes and Maverick, snapping my fingers as I say, “Come on you two, let's see exactly what needs to be ordered so we can get back here first thing in the morning and get this place running again. If they've got some new book club starting up I know they’re going to push to have this work done. Let’s not piss off the new librarian right out the gate.”
CHAPTER 3
NINA
I pull into Hazel’s driveway and cut the engine. Taking a deep breath, I glance around at the beautiful century old trees and giant rose bushes in her front yard, reveling in the gorgeous, old town feel that is Magnolia Point. It’s a warm and welcoming place complete with a nostalgic feel, almost as if you can feel the history and old folktales that surround it.
Leaving my hometown was easy and hard at the same time. Growing up, I enjoyed it, but I never realized I was viewed as the ‘weird kid’ until high school. I preferred the term artsy to weird, but living in a football town, my love for books was definitely not the norm, and my glasses and introverted personality made it hard to fit in.
And honestly? I was okay with it.
I should have moved away for college when Hazel said she was going to Magnolia Point. I should have jumped at the change of scenery with her, but instead, I stayed home, going to our local University and getting my master’s in library science.
From the time I was a young kid, I loved to disappear into the books. The stories that danced around my head for weeks after reading made life fun, and as I grew up, it was just easier to stay in that bubble.
As I got older and studied library science, I thought everyone would like a bit of fantasy to disappear with but when I tried setting up the book club in my hometown, I became the laughingstock amongst them.
Clearly, it’s put a damper on my dating life, as well. Men in reality versus men in the books? Complete one hundred eighty degree difference, and maybe that’s why my ex and I didn’t work. I was expecting too much from him.
“Hey! Get out of the car!” I look through the windshield at the voice yelling at me and laugh, climbing from my car as Hazel runs toward me. Catching each other, we swing and rock back and forth as she exclaims, “I’m so happy to see you!”
“Me too,” I reply breathlessly. “I can’t believe I’m actually here.”
“Believe it, girl. It’s a whole new life and it starts today! Grab your bags, get inside, I’ve got wine chilling for us!”
Two hours later, we’re two bottles deep and I’m just about caught up on the gossip.
“Just so you know,” Hazel says coyly. “I gave up good sex tonight to welcome you home.”
I snort laugh. “You wait until now to break that piece of information? Who is he and why are you holding out on me?”
“I’m not holding out on you. You’ve heard the stories of Wes over the last few years.”
“You're kidding! You’re still dating him? I thought you two broke up?”
“We were never really dating to begin with. He’s a nice guy, great in bed,” She says with a shrug. Then an odd expression falls across her features and she adds, “But timing just never worked out.”
“There’s only time for sex?”