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“Good to know.” Billie looked at me through thick, dark lashes, tilting their head to the side that drew my eye to the bond mark on their throat. “Sorry if we freaked you out. I’m not great at keeping my eyeballs to myself.”
I fussed with my shirt hem. “It's okay, I’m just not used to being eyeballed, I guess?”
Billie raised a manicured eyebrow. “Sounds like a lie to me. Who wouldn’t want to look at a cutie like you?” They chuckled softly. “Sorry, sorry, I’m doing it again. My point is that if you want me or Tony to rein it in, we can do that. Don’t want you feeling uncomfy working here, you know?”
“I appreciate that. Sorry I ran off. I kinda panicked.”
“Our fault entirely.” Billie smiled and tapped the stack of books I had next to me. “Whatcha working on?”
“Cataloguing, at the moment. Trying to get them cleared away so the day staff has more time for programs.”
Billie picked one book up off the stack, eyes scanning the back. “Oooh. These are spicy. Shy, wilting flower omega Katrina dreams of finding her alpha soulmate, but a delicious wanton beta catches her attention and leads her astray into a night of passion she won’t soon forget.” Billie pressed the back of their hand to their forehead in a faux-swoon. “The scandal!”
I covered my giggling with my hand. “I personally love old school romances, though I’m glad the newer ones are focusing more on betas now. And different pairings instead of only alphas and omegas.”
“Oh my god, right? Betas need rep too.” Billie thrust a hand into the air. “Beta pride!”
I stared at them for a moment before the hand wiggled and I realized they were waiting for a high five. I obliged with a quick slap and a laugh.
“Beta pride,” I echoed.
“Tony's an alpha, but we’ll forgive him for that.” Billie grinned. “Have you tried out the cafe here yet?”
“Not yet.”
“I’m going to head over and grab something. Do you want anything? My treat.”
“Oh, no, I can’t ask you to buy me something.”
“You’re notasking,” Billie chided. “I’m offering. Now, what's your fave?”
“Is it weird if I ask for a chai latte?” Billie's subtle spicy scent had me craving the flavour.
Billie's gaze blazed with heat. “Nope. I have that effect on people. One chai latte coming up.”
“Oh, you can’t have drinks in the library.”
“No worries, Books. I’ll stay on the legal side of the line.” Billie flashed me a grin and bounded out of the library.
I had just decided to focus back onto work when Tony appeared in my field of vision. I turned to the tall drink of water that glided towards my desk and perched on the edge to watch me.“So, what prompted you to become a night librarian?”
“Combo love of libraries and night,” I replied. “I couldn’t apply fast enough when I saw the job go up in the library systems.”
Subtle whiffs of coffee and caramel floated towards me. Damn if these two didn’t smell like a gourmet coffee shop together. That gave me pause. Were theytogethertogether? Or were they platonic friends hanging out? Billie had a bond mark, and this close to Tony I could see one on his throat too, but that didn’t mean they were each other’s marks.
I couldn’t ask, of course. For one, that would be invasive with strangers, and for another, it was none of my business. I hadn’t started this job to date anyone. Though, that would be mildly hilarious to rub in Mom's face.
See mom, I can too find someone at my night shift job.
Billie appeared again with a cardboard tray of drinks. “Come on over, Books. You can keep eyeballs on the library from the entryway, right?”
My cheeks warmed. It would be rude to refuse since the drink had already been purchased. “Yeah, I can take a quick break.”
Tony looked between the two of us and raised an eyebrow at Billie. “Books?”
“It's what she smells like,” said Billie. “Those fancy old ones. Plus, ya know.” They gestured to the library.
“Fair point.” Tony turned back to me. “You cool with the nickname, or should I be chastising them in private?”
