Total pages in book: 203
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
I’ve increased our book count by over four thousand in the four years since I took over from Brenda, the last librarian who moved out of town to be near her daughter Susan’s new pack once she had a bunch of grandbabies for her.
Susan was Joel’s girlfriend until she was claimed by an alpha from another pack. Grey bought Brenda’s house and I got her old job. We still talk semi-regularly as she runs the library for her new pack.
Our library has some comfy furniture as well as plenty of tables and chairs and a handful of small desks for people who want a quiet place to work on projects or crafts.
Part of the library’s collection of books includes about two thousand children’s books. I’m also pretty proud of our children’s play zone in the back with beanbag chairs as well as plenty of educational toys and craft supplies.
The Moonshine Springs pack (previously Silver Hills) kids have been getting plenty of use of this stuff, which reminds me… I should let Addy and Misty know I’m back and can do circle and story time with the kids. They’re only going to be here a little longer before they move to their new land and Misty wants to set up a library there. She’s only sixteen, but I see a lot of myself in her and told her I’d be happy to mentor her and help her get it all set up once their pack gets settled in their new home.
My phone chimes.
Audrey: OMG OMGOMGOMGOMG
I write back.
Everything ok?
She’s immediately typing.
“What do you want for breakfast?” Jase asks. “I’m gonna get food sent over from Roxy’s.”
In truth, I am hungry. I only ate three bites of breakfast yesterday, followed by a few bites of dinner last night. In fact, I’ve hardly eaten anything in a couple days, my mental state getting in the way of my appetite. But no way am I going to have him thinking he’s riding to my rescue by ordering me food.
“I want nothing from you,” I say simply.
My phone bloops with Audrey’s reply.
Audrey: DUH. YOU and Jase!!!! Bailey+Jase! EEK! I’m so freaking happy for you babe. Me and Leona wanted to throw a party for you. In fact, I think we WILL throw you a party. As soon as you guys are out and about after your time.
I write back.
No party necessary. He’s here at the library with me as he’s following me around but believe me, there’s no cause for celebration.
She phones me.
I answer with, “Hey. Can we catch up later?”
“Do you not want me to come in and take care of it today for you?”
“No, I’m here. I’m good.”
“You’ll need help. I’m on my way. So’s Lee.”
She’s talking about Leona. “I don’t really need help today, Aud.”
“People are going to descend,” she says simply before the line goes dead.
Is she not there?
“Aud?”
She’s already hung up. Shit.
“You gotta eat, Bay. What do you like?” Jase asks, thumbing away on his phone.
He knows nothing about what I like. Because he’s never paid attention. I know everything he likes. I know all about him. How he takes his coffee, how he prefers his eggs. How he likes his steak done. What condiments go on his sandwiches and on his burger or hot dog. And on and on. Because I’ve paid far too much attention.
“I said I don’t want anything from you,” I mutter while booting up my computer.
I quickly fire a text message off to Audrey.
Me: You don’t need to come.
By the time I open my email on my desktop, she’s responded to my text.
Audrey: It’s already getting around that you’re making him sweat, gonna make him work for it. Leona saw from her window yesterday when he went flying backwards. When you threw stuff out the window. We are HERE for it. Good for you, gf! Must be hard to hold back and not jump his bones. Kudos. See you soon.
Me: Go to the hollow first and bring muffins from the good coffee shop as your entry fee to Sideshow Bailey who does not want to jump Jase’s bones now or ever.
She sends me a thumbs up and then puts in brackets (Right. Wink wink).
She thinks I’m playing a game.
***
“This isn’t me making him work for it,” I whisper to them in our little huddle by my desk.
“Most everyone thinks he deserves it. And there’s a pool. People are betting on when you’ll give in,” Leona whispers, toying with her strawberry blonde ponytail. “And most of them figure it’ll happen before tomorrow. Though some are saying when the spell wears off the day after tomorrow, so he’ll just cart you off to his house and claim you there. If he makes it. You might wanna send your parents out so they don’t have to witness your claiming in their living room when Jase unleashes a weeks’ worth of pent-up rutting urges on you.”