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13
There was a pep in my step as I walked into the Port Sunshine library and headed toward the front desk. I loved going to the library. When I was younger, my parents had taken my sisters and me to the library every Saturday morning. Each one of us would choose three books for the week, and then we’d grab a burger before heading home. It was one of my favorite memories from my childhood, and the fact that the head librarian was the same made me feel super nostalgic.
“Good morning, Chelsea Campbell.” Edith Mclintock beamed at me as I approached her. “I haven’t seen you or your sisters in a while. How can I help you?”
“Good morning, Mrs. Mclintock.” I grinned at her. “I’ve come to make inquiries about the free business proposal classes. I’m hoping to start an art and bookstore in town with my sisters, and I need to come up with a business proposal to figure out how to get funding.”
“Oh, well, that sounds absolutely amazing. And you’re in luck, our teacher is coming in this morning. He’s finishing up a class this week, but the new classes will start next week. What perfect timing.”
“Oh, that’s awesome.” I couldn’t believe my luck. Everything was coming up roses. “Do you think he’d mind if I ask him some questions? I won’t take up too much of his time. I just want to find out if I need to get anything ready before the class.”
“He won’t mind at all.” Edith grinned. “He’s such a nice young man to give back to the community like this. So successful as well.” She pushed her glasses up on her nose and picked up a stack of books. “He’s really helping to provide knowledge, unlike his father.” She frowned. “I mean, his father did give a donation to the library a few years ago, but I don’t think it was out of his heart. Likely just for a tax break.”
“Library donation?” I stared at her for a few moments. There was only one local person I knew who had donated to the library, and that was Jacob’s dad, Martin Andretti. But I knew there was no way on God’s green earth that Martin Andretti would be teaching a business class. No matter that he had almost as much money as Bill Gates.
“Yes.” Edith nodded, and her eyes lit up as she turned to face someone. “Oh look, there’s Chandler now,” she said, grinning widely and holding her hand up in a small wave before looking back at me. “Chelsea, this is Chandler Andretti. He’s the teacher of our business proposal class. He’s currently getting his MBA and is running two of his father’s companies.”
Fuck my life.
Fuck my life.
Fuck my life.
I turned to look at a grinning Chandler Andretti, and I couldn’t stop myself from blushing. What was going on here? Why was he showing up everywhere? And why was his brother texting me again? I debated running out of the library and racing home so I could just get back into bed and try to restart the day.
“Good morning, Edith.” Chandler grinned at the librarian and then looked back at me. “Hiya, Chelsea.” He winked at me. “Can’t get enough of me, huh?”
“I didn’t know you were the one teaching the course,” I bit out, trying not to be rude in front of Edith. “I’m here because I’m trying to start a business, and I need some advice.”
“Well, that’s what I’m here for.” He grinned. “You’re up early.”
“So are you.”
“Indeed I am.” He ran his fingers through his still-damp hair, his brown eyes shining as he gazed at me. The light on the desk radiated off of his body and made his skin glow. “And I had a late night as well.”
“Likely busy with your lady.” I rolled my eyes as I thought about him and the girl at the beach.
“I don’t know if she wants to be called my lady.” He cocked his head to the side and smiled slowly. “But who knows?”
“Not me.” I couldn’t make myself look away from him. Why was he so handsome?
“She surprised me, though,” he said with a wicked smile. “She has a mouth on her.”
My jaw dropped. Was he really talking about the skank giving him a blowjob in front of Edith? He was really a pig. Typical Andretti man. I was about to tell him off when he burst out laughing.
“Edith, I’m going to go back to the conference room and get set up.” He looked at me. “If you have any questions, you can come with me and ask them. We have about fifteen minutes until the class starts.”
I stared at him for a few moments. I wanted to say, “No, thanks.” I wanted to leave. I wanted to tell him to piss off. But I needed his help. In fact, I needed his help more than I hated him. This store had been my dream for years. A dream I’d never believed could come true. I still didn’t know if it could come true. But I knew I had to try. I knew I had to give it my best shot. I knew, if I asked, I could have gotten Harriet to speak to Finn or Polly to speak to Max and maybe they’d be able to help, but I wanted to do this on my own. I wanted to earn it. I wanted to be proud of myself. I wanted to build something. Yes, I wanted love in my life, but I also wanted something else to wake me up in the morning and make me excited. I had to go ahead with this, no matter how much I wanted to slap the smug look off of Chandler Andretti’s face.
“Okay, I’ll come,” I said and followed Chandler as he moved toward the back of the library.
“That’s what she said.” He chuckled and slowed his pace so that we could walk side by side.
“Really?” I raised an eyebrow at him.
“What?” His eyes searched mine, and he grinned. “I’m pretty sure you like coming, don’t you?”
I pressed my lips together. I was not going to entertain this conversation with him.
