Page 35 of Librarian & the Rockstar

I sigh heavily, pretty sure she's going to crucify me when she hears it. I see it written all over her face. "The plan was to wait until after I announced my retirement to be seen publicly. I figured by then, no one would give a shit, and they'd leave her alone. But I never bothered to ask her what she needed. I just decided for her that it was better for her that way."

Jazz and Lilah exchange a glance that says I'm an idiot. Which…fair. I am an idiot. We've already established that. Now, I need to fix it.

"You're retiring?" Lilah finally asks.

"Yeah."

"Does she know?"

I shake my head. "I might have fucked that up too."

Jazz sighs, rolling her eyes. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Be nice," Lilah mutters.

"He made her cry. I don't have to be nice."

"I'm trying to fix it."

"How?" Jazz asks, still looking at me like she's trying to decide how best to make my life hell.

"I need a tux, for starters. And a ticket to the literacy gala tonight."

Jazz and Lilah stare at me and then look at each other.

"Should we help him?" Lilah finally asks Jazz.

"Depends." Jazz turns back to me. "You love her?"

"More than anything."

"Are you going to make her cry again?"

"Fucking probably," I groan, already hating the thought. "As we've already established, I'm an idiot."

"Well, at least you're smart enough to admit it," Jazz sniffs. "Are you ashamed of her?"

"Hell no," I growl. "She's the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"Maybe you aren't a complete idiot if you're smart enough to know that." Jazz cracks a tiny smile. "I don't care how famous you are. She is the best thing that ever happened to you. And if she decides to forgive you, it'll be more than you could ever possibly deserve."

"I know," I rasp. "Believe me, I know."

They exchange looks again.

"Fine," Jazz finally says. "I guess we'll help you. But just so you know, if she doesn't forgive you, I'm going to spend the rest of your life torturing you." Her lips curve into a diabolical smile. "And when you finally drop dead, with my help, of course, I'm going to dig up your bones and bury them in the backyard of her house so you have to spend eternity watching her be happy with someone who actually deserves her."

Jesus Christ. Loralei told me Jazz was a handful. She did not tell me that Jazz was legitimately terrifying. I'm honestly impressed.

"If she doesn't forgive me, you have my full permission to torture me to death," I say, meaning it. Frankly, if Loralei doesn't forgive me, I'm not going to fucking care what happens after that. My whole world is going to crumble because the one thing that matters—the only thing that matters—will be gone.

"I'll call Lincoln," Lilah says, pulling her phone out of her pocket.

"I'll call River," Jazz says.

I'm not entirely sure who either of those people are, but if they can help me get a tux and get into that gala to show Loralei that there's nothing I won't do for her, even if it means begging on my knees in front of half this town, then I'll gladly accept the help.

Whatever it takes.