Page 40 of Carter

“Ah,” I say with a smile. “Well, that wouldn’t be in the romance section.”

He raises his brow. “It wouldn’t?”

“I won’t spoil it, but no. It’s in the classics section, specifically British Literature, which is on the far wall. Do you want me to walk you?”

He smiles. “No, I think I can find it. Thank you.”

“Any time.”

He walks away and I feel bad for him if he’s about to be destroyed by that book. I’d gone into it thinking it was a romance too. I was devastated when it came to the end. I heard they just made a movie, but I can’t bring myself to watch it. I avoid sad movies these days. Actually, I guess I avoid the good ones too. It’s hard to watch anything anymore because movies were another one of Ryan’s favorite things. He especially loved watching the ones based on books so he could compare. The books always were better in his opinion. It’s how we started dating, actually. I’d won a free book box, and in it was a book that had turned into a film. Ryan saw me reading the book in a coffee shop and instantly started shit with me—playfully of course. He’d told me that he hoped I was reading the book before the movie and not only reading it because I saw the movie. I didn’t even know itwasa movie.

We had our first kiss duringThe Notebook, the first of a Nicholas Sparks movie marathon that lasted a whole week because of work and other obligations. They’re all good, of course. Sad as hell. My number one isThe Best of Me. I don’t care what anyone says, that’s by far the saddest movie I’ve ever seen in my life.

A throat clears near me, and I blink myself back to reality.

“Hi, sorry,” the same man says. “But I can’t find it.”

I smile. “No worries. I was just daydreaming. Sorry.”

“Easy to do around here, I guess.”

“Sure is.”

We walk to the section where the book should be, but it isn’t here.

“Let me check the computer.”

He follows me over to the desk, which is around a privacy wall that’s supposed to help keep the noise on this side to a minimum to not disturb others.

I log into the computer and do a search for the book.

“Well, that would be why.” I look up at the man waiting. “All of our copies are out.”

“Damn,” he mutters, tapping his finger on the counter.

“Let me check something…” I click around to see the other locations. If there is one nearby, he can just go get that one.

“There’s one at the main library,” I offer.

“Are you able to hold it?”

“I’ll give them a call. Can you head over there now?”

“Sure can. Don’t want to disappoint book club.”

I pick up the phone, holding it to my ear as I say, “I’ll let them know you’re on your way.”

“Thank you so much.”

“Of course. Have a great day. And let me know what you think about the book.”

He chuckles. “Now you’re worrying me.”

It’s strange to think some people still haven’t read or heard of the book, but I guess if you don’t have a reason to read it, it’s not something you just pick up for fun. That’s the classics for you.

After calling the other library to let them know someone is on the way for a copy ofWuthering Heights, I go back to putting books away, helping readers here and there. Eileen comes in around eleven, telling me she’s starving already because she hadto fast for labs. I offer to grab us some food from the café, and as I step out into the cold, I nearly bump into someone.

“Nash? What are you doing here?”