AllFreeNovel
Share Us
With raised eyebrows, and a smirk, Lottie replied. “Pretty full of yourself, aren’t you?”
Nova scoffed. “Go ahead then. What is it?”
“I’ve decided to join the retreat. I want to try, at least.”
“That’s wonderful news!” She clapped her hands together. “Come in a few minutes early to tomorrow, we can get you caught up.”
“I am actually…caught up already. I met with Cain just a little while ago.” Lottie watched as Nova’s eyes narrowed. She was deeply considering changing the plan.
“Interesting. He didn’t tell me, but we’ve missed each other a few times today.” Nova shrugged.
Suddenly, a phone rang. Nova broke eye contact to look at her phone. “Speak of the devil.”
“Cain?” Lottie asked.
“Yeah, just a text. I’ll get back to him when we’re done.”
Lottie smiled, giving herself a point for her plan beginning to work.Maybe this is the right plan.
“How’d class go today? I hear you’re quite the motivational speaker.”
“I guess,” she shrugged, running her hands through her hair. “I’ve never had to get sober. I’ve never eaten anything but mortal food, never had an addiction to alcohol or drugs, nicotine, or nectar. I may be good at this, but I don’t think it’s my true calling.”
Lottie was shocked by both her honesty and thinking. “You think we all have a ‘calling’?
“Yeah, of course. Why? You don’t?
“I don’t know that I’ve ever thought about it.” Lottie stared out at the darkness that enveloped them. “I guess, maybe when we were alive, but I haven’t felt a pull to a ‘calling.”
“Oh, you haven’t?” Nova smirked, leaving Lottie confused.DoesshethinkIthink thatshe’s my calling?
Nova must have read the look on her face because she snorted. “It’s books, you goof! Your calling is books.”
“Really? In what way? I mean sure I love a good library and I could spend days upon days reading but would you call that a ‘calling?’” Lottie crunched her face up.
Nova laughed. A real, natural, loud laugh that she hadn’t seen from the other woman before. “How long have you been working at the library?”
“This time?” Lottie quipped.
Nova simply nodded.
“This time, about three years. And it’s been about thirty years since I’ve been back.”
“It’s amazing you keep coming back to these familiar places. Are there any reasons why?
“My friends and family, the area and its wildlife, the resort is here and bordering on one of the most paranormal places in the entire universe, plus Carmilla’s library.
“Ah, ha! There, I knew it! You come back for the books. It’s always about the books for you. The way to speak to incoming college students in that library is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen, and I’m not being facetious. No matter what, I’m glad I got to see that.”
After their third go-around of the sky lift and second round of Twenty Questions Lottie stepped off the lift, back onto the roof holding her hand out for Nova. She took it. Once they were standing solidly on the roof, Lottie hadn’t let go of Nova’s hand. She pulled her in closer until their chests touched, wrapping a hand around Nova’s neck, tangling a hand in her hair, and brushing her lips against the other woman’s. Nova didn’t immediately kiss her back but after another second of their lips almost touching Nova responded, first wrapping her arms around Lottie then opening her mouth slightly, letting Lottie deepen their kiss. Nova reached up, caressing Lottie’s face as they continued to kiss. It wasn’t until Lottie touched them hem of Nova’s shirt that she pulled away, suddenly aware of their surroundings.
“Stop,” Nova pushed Lottie away.
“I…I’m sorry.”
“I have to go. I’ll…um…see you tomorrow I guess.”
“Yeah, absolutely.”
