Page 1 of Kiss me Forever

Chapter One

Piper

I wake up with a smile because I’m always excited to start a new day. It’s not because my life is perfect, but because I know that destiny is in my own hands. I can be positive as I wake, or I can be grumpy, defining my own attitude. I choose happiness. Sure, there’s a lot to be scared about in life, but the thing is, if I look for what’s good, then that’s what I’ll see. That means I absolutely don’t watch the news. Yuck! That’s my recipe for a blissful life.

I’m Piper Covington, twenty-nine years old, which is young in my humble opinion, and unlike many who see their glass as half full, I make sure my glass is overflowing. I jump from bed and throw my curtains open, my smile growing even bigger as a warm glow filters through my small bedroom in my adorably cozy apartment. Raising my arms high I let out a long sigh as I stretch my muscles. I have a busy day, just like every day of my life. I get into trouble if I don’t keep busy enough.

I’m a librarian, which I think is the best job in the world. I was with the University library for the first five years after graduating college, but then, I opened our local library in my small hometown near Seattle. It’s become a local hangout for many, and it’s so much more than a place to check out books. People can finish projects, watch videos, do homework, and have a safe place to gather. This is so much more than a job for me; it’s my passion, my sanctuary, and my perfect piece of paradise in a crazy world.

I jump into the shower, doing a mighty fine version of George Micheal’s Gotta Have Faith while I wash my hair. I jump out, do a little dance with my towel, dry my hair, throw it up in a bun, put on some mascara and lipstick, and my favorite sunflower dress since my best friend Livie says I always look like a happy ray of sunshine. I next skip my way into the kitchen, where I pull out my overnight oats and pour a cup of coffee. I’ve restricted myself to two cups a day . . . for the most part. Sometimes, I might grab another cup . . . or two from the local shop that’s way too close to the library. I might eat a few of their extraordinary scones as well. That’s why I dance so much. I have to burn off the insane amount of calories I consume daily.

It doesn’t take long before I’m ready to head out the door. I grab my bag, which already has the latest book I’ve been devouring inside. As soon as I’m out the door I do a spin to let the sunshine flow over me. Have you ever watched the movie Isn’t It Romantic, where Melissa McCarthy walks outside to realize she’s inside a rom-com? That’s how I feel every single day, but instead of hating it, I’m in love with the feeling.

The library is only a short walk from my apartment, nestled on the edge of my incredibly quaint town. If I do say so myself, the building is beautiful, blending old-world charm and modern updates. I should know since I used my own hands to take the once uninhabitable building and made it shine. A few construction crews hired for the remodel might’ve wanted to quit once or twice since I had a vision and wouldn’t vary a bit from what I wanted, but in the end, they all agreed that I was right. I also brought them a lot of delicious goodies I baked with my own hands to soften the blow of my craziness. I’m not the best cook in the world, but I can make some mean cookies. Those crew members come back often to enjoy the library.

I walk down the street and stop as I always do to admire the colorful entrance, with Dr. Suess on one side of the door and Albert Einstein on the other, having a showdown. A sign is over the top of the door saying, All Who Enter Must Do So With Imagination. It doesn’t matter that I’ve entered this building thousands of times; I still smile joyfully as I see the incredible entrance.

As soon as I step inside, I’m walking on colored tiles with quotes, and I’m greeted by the familiar scent of books, both old and new, and the intoxication of history, adventure, romance, thrills, sci-fy, and most importantly of all, endless possibility.

“Good morning, Piper,” Mrs. Hargrove, my favorite volunteer, calls from the front desk. One thing about Mrs. Hargrove is that she doesn’t have a librarian voice. City Hall down the block can hear her when she speaks, but the patrons love her, as do I. She’s as much a staple at this library as I am, with her white hair worn in the same way for as long as I can remember. Most importantly is that she wears a smile that competes with my own. She has a dozen grandchildren and loves reading as much as I do. We’re a perfect team.

“Good morning, Mrs. Hargrove. It’s another beautiful day. Are you ready for new adventures?”

“You know I am,” she replies. I wave and make my way back to the staff room, where I start each morning after a walk through the library, which is already buzzing with activity.

There are children gathered in the reading corner, sitting on bean bag chairs and giggling as they look for the newest books they might not have had a chance to read yet, their eyes full of laughter and wonder. I pass by many locals browsing the shelves who all have a wonderful greeting before they go back to digging through the shelves. There’s nothing I like more than helping patrons find the perfect weekend read.

The computer room is already half full as some play games, some do research, and some simply pass the time getting lost online. Only one of three of our quiet rooms is currently in use, and I see Samantha inside with a large poster board and know she’s once again taking a summer class. She’s competitive and will undoubtedly graduate as her class valedictorian next year.

I step into my backroom and see my best friend, Livie, sitting at the table with a book open in front of her and a plate of goodies she’s picking from. She looks up and beams at me.

“What a nice surprise,” I tell her as I walk over. She jumps up and gives me a hug. With her belly getting bigger by the day with my niece growing inside of her, our hugs are always extra fun.

“It feels like we never see each other anymore since a hot man swept me off my feet,” she says with a laugh. “Then this little peanut inside me rules my moods, and sometimes I simply need to sit on the couch eating ice-cream while I cry. Tyler really enjoys those moments.”

I laugh with her at these words. Her mood changes have been quite fun during this pregnancy. I hate that we’re no longer roommates so I can’t take this walk with her, but I’m also thrilled she’s found the love of her life who treats her like the princess she is. Plus, I can’t be mad when my niece will be born when she’s done cooking. I might be more impatient than Livie is at this point to hold the little peanut.

“It has been an entire four days, which is an eternity,” I tell her. “Tyler must be keeping you chained to that bed of his.”

She throws her head back and laughs before winking at me. “I wouldn’t mind a few ropes,” she tells me, making me laugh this time. “I’m not too bendy these days though.” She rubs her rapidly expanding belly.

“Kinky, kinky. You’ve been in the dark romance section of the library, haven’t you?”

“I might sneak a few of those on my eReader,” she admits. “There’s no way I’m checking one of those books out with Mrs. Hargrove at the front desk, though.” A shudder runs through me at the thought. Mrs. Hargrove isn’t known for her discretion.

“I know. I sneak those out after the library is closed. The entire town would know if I officially checked them out,” I admit.

Livie truly is the yin to my yang and the moon to my sun. We’ve been besties since college, and I think we were actually separated at birth. Where I’m always bright and bubbly, she’s calm and steady. We perfectly balance each other and absolutely never run out of things to talk about. We have busy lives, but we always make time for one another. I can’t imagine walking through this life without my best friend.

This is especially important because I grew up with awful parents who I don’t have a relationship with at all. The last I knew, they had moved to Florida, where they could be selfish together. They never wanted to be parents and always resented my brother and me. Sadly, I don’t have much of a relationship with my brother either. He lives in the area but moved out of our home when I was only ten, and he never returned. I only ever hear from him if he needs a favor. Sadly, I cringe when he does call. None of that matters, though, because I have Livie, who’s my true sister. A person doesn’t have to be blood to be family.

“What’s on your agenda today?” she asks. Then she answers before I have a chance to reply. “I can guarantee it’s to spread joy and knowledge to the masses of the town.”

“Of course,” I admit. “We have some really great new books that arrived on last night’s shipment.”

“I love being the bestie so I get first dibs,” she says.

“You always get preferential treatment for being the coolest person in town,” I assure her. She smiles before moving back to the table and grabbing a donut. I join her. I don’t just have a sweet tooth; I have all sweet teeth. I could almost live on desserts alone. If it weren’t for French fries, that is. But then again, I love dipping my fries in ice-cream so even with my salt I love a bit of sweetness. Who doesn’t like to mix caramel corn with cheddar corn? Delicious!

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