Page 32 of Check You Out

“Oh, you are the absolute best, Aidan!” With a squeal she throws her arms around my neck, sending jolts up my spine. My body stiffens at the unexpected embrace, but then I bring my arms up to hug her back. I didn’t realize she would get so excited about lamination. I wonder what she thinks of warm fresh copies straight from the printer.

After a few seconds she leans back from my arms, her hands still clutching my biceps, while mine remain at her elbows. “Sorry. I had a nightmare last night that the library closed and then my bookstore burned down, and then I had to close, and I was living on the streets. But then Thelma grew to like twenty feet tall and stepped on me.” She shakes her head. “I’m rambling, and you don’t want to hear about my weird dreams.”

I brush my thumb along her elbow, feeling the heat of her body through my palms. “I have dreams where the school fell into a sinkhole.”

She cocks her head to the side. “That sounds oddly specific.”

“I read a book in middle school where a school falls into a sinkhole. During school hours too,” I remark, my lips pressing together. “It scarred me for life.”

Charlotte squeezes my biceps. “That’s horrifying.” An escaped lock of golden-brown hair drapes over her forehead and brow. I’m certain that it’s distorting her vision of me. I reach up and tuck the errant strand behind her ear. The tips of my fingers brush the skin of her cheek and her ear lobes. Am I dreaming, or did she just move closer to me?

Am I about to kiss Charlotte Ferguson?

A knock breaks the spell. I jump out of her hands and plaster my arms to my side. A faint blush creeps up my face.

The door cracks open, and Sarah pops her head in the doorway. I guess she spots us, because she grins sheepishly and says, “Hey, the computer is protesting its existence again. Can you come fix it?”

A sigh escapes Charlotte. “Yeah, I’ll be right there.” Walking toward the door, she calls over her shoulder, “Stay as long as you like. Thank you again for everything.”

I scoop Lloyd up and follow her, croaking out, “I should go. I’ll just grab Xander and head out.”

We reach the showroom of the store when Charlotte grips my elbow. “Hey, you should come to Book Club. It’s seven on Tuesday night at the library,” she adds. “We’re talking about the library to drum up support, but you might like the book too. It’s Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books, by Kirsten Miller.” Her gaze travels to the front of the store. There’s only Sarah and Xander at the counter. “I’ve got more copies up front if you want one.”

Book Club? I don’t want to go to Book Club and talk to a bunch of strangers. Yes, we’d talk about books, but still. I look down at my shoes, my mind swirling with many possible excuses. I’ve got grading, lesson planning, gaming with Xander, or a therapy appointment. I just have to pick one, and then I’ll spend the evening playing Stardew Valley and not talking to strangers. I open my mouth to pick one of those excuses when I lift my head and get a glance at Charlotte’s face.

My heart thumps in my chest.

She’s looking up at me again like I’m the most interesting person in the world, like there’s nowhere else she’d rather be than spending this moment here with me. Her gaze is intent. Her smile is soft and open, inviting. Her head is tilted to the side, her braid falling over her shoulder. That lock of hair has come loose from its space behind her ear.

I can’t lie to her. If I want to date Charlotte, I have to show up for her. She’s asking me to show up for her.

Sucking in a bit of air, I open my mouth to say something, but the bell above the door twinkles. We turn to the newcomer, and my stomach drops.

“Charlotte,” Bridgett Hartlett sings out in a high-pitched voice. “It’s so good to see you.”

13

Charlotte

Bridgett Hartlett walks farther into the bookstore with a stiff legged swagger, like she’s trying to be tough. She’s petite, with blonde hair pulled up into a messy bun. She’s wearing a sweatshirt crop top and wide leg jeans.

Aidan stiffens next to me, and his lips press into a thin line. He glances over to Xander, who closes his book and steps closer to the counter. Thankfully, the other customers that were here have left.

I step in front of Aidan almost defensively and paint on my best customer service smile, hoping to kill her with kindness, or at least politeness. “Well, hey, Bridgett. Welcome to Sunflower Books. Are you looking for anything particular?” I’ve even got a “bless your heart” in my back pocket. Maryland may not be exactly part of the South, but we’re south enough that I can apply it effectively.

She crosses her arms and taps her foot. “Is it true that you’re leading a committee to keep the library open?”

Well, I see we’ve moved past the pleasantries. Bridgett Hartlett is on a mission. Great. “Yes. Why do you ask?”

“Why are you leading the committee?”

Blinking, I study her for a few seconds. She’s frowning at me and holding her body in a tense, defiant position. I take a breath and reply, “Because the library is an important resource for our town and needs to stay open.” I adjust a crooked display. “Now, can I interest you in a new book? Or perhaps a boardgame? We have a nice select—”

“But why are you leading the committee?” Bridgett interrupts me. She doesn’t change her posture, but her face has shifted into a scowl.

I squint and tilt my head to the side. “I volunteered and was elected. I’m confused. Why does it matter to you?”

“But you don’t need the library,” she says. “I know you like books and all, but you also sell books. Doesn’t it benefit you to close the library? I mean, I just, I just don’t understand.” She eyes a display of romance novels and sneers.