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Gathering her in my arms, I press my lips to her silky curls. “I think you’re right.”
Chapter 14
THEA
No matter what’s going on in my day, Ben can always make me smile.
First there was dealing with Mrs. Plimpton on another one of her archival scavenger hunts, this time searching for photos from the Sleepy Hollow time capsule burial ceremony held in 1964.
She explained, “My great uncle was one of the schoolchildren selected to include artwork in the capsule. I want to see if his drawing is shown in the picture.”
I towed Danielle into the basement with me—I’m not going down there alone again, no way—and came up with exactly nothing. I heard Mrs. Plimpton huffing as she walked away, “What did we approve all those cabinets and bookshelves for, anyway?”
So that wasn’t great.
Then a toddler stuffed a handful of sliced bananas into the book return bin, which we didn’t discover until another ten books fell on top of them. If I never see another banana for a year, it’ll be too soon.
And for the cherry on top of my morning, Mr. Simmons came by for his yearly “inspection” of the library. Which really involved him walking around for an hour and telling me how much better things were in the old days.
“We didn’t get our news from the computer back then,” he grumbled, casting a sour look at our small computer lab. “We got real news from the newspapers. News you could trust.”
By the time I wave him off, a small headache is brewing.
But as soon as I get a text from Ben, everything feels ten times better.
Just heard from the guys. Ian, Grant, and Willow are in for tonight. Grant says he’s been studying, but he’s counting on you to win. No pressure. ??
Despite the craziness of my life—the accident, the mysterious stranger in my car, the nightmares that are gradually getting better now that I’m staying with Ben—trivia night is one thing we don’t miss. It’s our own little tradition, a taste of normalcy, and I look forward to it all week.
Grinning at my phone like a loon, I tap out a quick reply.
I can’t wait! Guess I’d better find some more books to study before tonight. ??
The three dots blink for a second.
Good idea. When I come for lunch, we can study together.
If it’s even possible, my smile gets even bigger.
Laila’s been attending a day camp for the last week—which she loves—so Ben has been able to come see me for lunch every day. He brings takeout and we hole up in my office for half an hour, eating quickly and then kissing for the rest of the time.
Did I get busted by Penny when she rushed into my office without knocking the other day? Yes.
Still red-faced even after Ben left, I felt much better after Penny patted my arm and said, “Don’t be embarrassed. If I had a boyfriend as hot as Ben, you couldn’t pry me away from him.”
Just thinking about kissing Ben makes me feel all hot and tingly, and my core throbs with need.
So of course, now is when I glance up to see Penny coming toward me, and from her expression, it’s something important.
Hopefully not more smashed bananas. Or any fruit, really.
I quickly reply to Ben.
We can quiz each other. A kiss for each correct answer. ?? I have to go, Penny incoming. See you at noon?
His response is immediate.
I love it. See you soon.
