Page 4 of Read Me, Baby
She laughs. “Something like that,” she murmurs dismissively, but then her eyes light up and she says excitedly, “Hey! He’s got a younger cousin. His name is Jay. He’s super cute, would give you the shirt off his back and runs his own business. It’s a family business and they they both own it together.”
I put my hands up, laughing as I ask, “Are you reading a MMF now?”
“No, more like a cousin’s best friend,” she says with a sly look.
“In all my years of reading, I’ve never read a cousin's best friend.”
“There's a first time for everything!” She stands and collects our glasses and empty bottles.
“Ha! I’ll write my own novel. I just can’t be bothered with men anymore. I know what they say and why they ditch on the first date.”
She turns around with her brows furrowed. “Why? Nina, you’re gorgeous, smart–”
“And too quiet, and boring.” I respond dismissively. “It’s fine. My books keep me warm.”
She shakes her head. “Well see about that. It’s plenty warm here in Magnolia Point. You won’t need your books for long. You’re going to find your man here, mark my words.”
“Well, let me get to know my books at my new job before you have me married, okay? I’m not even here for four hours yet.”
She places the glasses down and grabs me in a hug. “But you’re here!! And that's all that matters!”
CHAPTER 4
NINA
I laid awake for most of the night, not from nerves, but from excitement.
I’m happy to be here, in a brand-new town where I can focus on myself. I don’t have to make excuses over not wanting to be social. I can just be me and if people like me, then fine, and if they don't, then that's fine too. There’s no expectations here; I’m a librarian, we’re supposed to be quiet and reserved. That’s not to say I don’t know how to have a good time, but I don’t need to be the star of the show or center of conversation. I like to sit back and people watch.
And maybe that’s why I’ve pigeonholed myself into being alone. I’ve only ever had one relationship, and I still have no idea how we lasted as long as we did. After finding out he was never going to support any of my ideas, I stopped wasting my time, and since then, I’ve never made it past a second date. It could really give me a complex if I didn't know better. I’ve locked my heart away for a guy that is like the book boyfriends I’ve read about. It’s a downfall and a toxic trait which now has risen to the forefront of why I'm alone at twenty-seven years old with no prospects in place.
So, I'm giving up the books. I’m giving up on romance. It doesn’t exist anyway, so what am I missing out on?
Nothing.
Walking into the library, I inhale deeply and close my eyes. The smile that spreads across my face is automatic. Being here, it feels right. I walk to the front desk where I see an older woman shelving books.
“Excuse me? Are you Mrs. Holly?”
She turns to me. “Oh, yes! You must be Nina!” She scurries around the counter and comes to my side wrapping me in a hug. She’s tiny, but seems feisty and it makes me giggle. With her arms gripping my biceps she holds me at arm’s length assessing me. “You are beautiful! Nina Amoré! Oh, what a name! You are going to fit in perfectly here!”
“Oh!” She pulls me in for another hug. “Yes, thank you. I really like it here already.”
“Come, come! Let me show you around.”
We wander the first floor as she shows off each section of the library. There are separate rooms called ‘quiet rooms’ that hold a computer and a table and chair for meetings or study areas. There is a small lounge with a couple of end tables and cozy chairs and couches. Each one has a blanket draped over the arm, just inviting readers to sit and get lost in their story. There is even a larger room in the back corner with a giant movie projector screen.
“This room is used a lot for summer enrichment classes for the younger kids. They love it and the room holds the sound, so it doesn’t disturb anyone else out there,” she explains as she motions back to the main floor.
“What’s on the second floor?”
Mrs. Holly's eyes twinkle and for a split second, I’m nervous about what she's going to say is up there. “Follow me! This is the best part!”
We take the elevator to the second floor, and then walk out into a room that feels like I’m stepping into a romance novel. My heart skips a beat at the beautiful surroundings and the overall feeling of love that emanates from the room. There's no other way for me to describe it except intimate and adoring. A room you could find the love of your life in.
If you believed in that sort of thing.
Which I don't.