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“That's sweet. Everyone deserves to experiment with their self expression.” I wasn’t sure what Jasper could possibly look like that would make me laugh at him. I locked my purse in one of the desk drawers and looped the key around my wrist. “Okay, ready.”
Billie took my hand the moment I was in range and the easy affection had my cheeks heating. I followed along to their usual hang out spot, seeing two figures with their heads tucked together and watching something on a phone.
Billie's fingers dug into my arm as we approached, and I reminded myself not to laugh just in case. Jasper turned toward me. I took in his fluffy mop of red hair and the most ostentatious moustache I’d ever seen on someone in real life. He looked like an old timey ringmaster, complete with the ends curled into full circles.
His face brightened, and he stood with a smooth grace, walking over with his hand extended. “You must be the famous Nicky.”
I took his warm hand and was instantly caught in a cloud of chocolate, cinnamon, and baking bread. He smelled like a fresh chocolate croissant, and I wanted to bury my face against him. His eyes were a warm brown, like a cup of tea in sunlight.
My tongue tangled, and I swayed towards him before I caught myself. I bit down on a whine as I went to greet him.
“Famous?” I managed.
Jasper lifted my hand and kissed the back of it, lips lingering an extra beat. “Mhmm. Billie hasn’t shut up about you.”
My heart needed to stop its ridiculous pitter-patteringright now. No one had ever kissed me on the hand in a romantic way. Not that this was romantic…I was just meeting the boyfriend of the very pretty library patrons.
I glanced over to the beautiful goth beta that held my other hand. They didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed by Jasper's statement.
Billie shrugged. “We’ve all accepted my obsessive tendencies. I apologize for nothing.”
Jasper laughed and released my hand. “I’ve got a present for you.”
“Apresent?” I squeaked.
Tony appeared behind him with a small tote bag in his hands.
“Hey, Nicky.” He smiled and it made my stomach flip again.
Damn them all for being so beautiful and smelling delicious. How was I supposed to be a normal person around them?
Tony passed over the bag.
“Billie insisted,” said Jasper.
The beta freed up my hand so I could open my gift. Inside was a slab of focaccia wrapped in plastic.
“Oh my god.”
“It's fresh too,” Jasper said. “I brought the dough from work and made it when I woke up.”
“Can I eat some now? Would that be weird? I’m not supposed to eat in the library.”
Jasper laughed softly. “I won’t tell anyone.”
I danced in place and unwrapped one corner of the plastic, biting into it with enthusiasm. My eyes nearly rolled back in my head as the bready perfection filled my mouth.
“Oh mygod.” I hugged the bread to my chest. “I’m in love.”
My three companions laughed and Jasper swung his arm over my shoulders. “I like this one. She's good for my ego.”
Billie snuggled up to us, making me dizzy from the proximity. Other scents lingered among their group that I couldn’t place. Tea, mint, brown sugar. I wasn’t sure who they belonged to, but I liked them.
“You two are going to get Nicky in trouble at work. Give her some space.” Tony nudged Billie and Jasper away.
“Who would even know?” asked Billie.
“There's security cameras,” I said. “I won’t get in trouble for talking to the patrons, especially if it's for a specific purpose, but I’d be nervous being so new to the job if they thought I was bringing friends to waste paid time.”
