Page 103 of Just This Once

Dottie shook her head. “No. In fact, I think it’s your experience as a teacher that makes you uniquely qualified. If you happen to be interested in a library science degree, that’s always a possibility, but not a requirement. Here at our public library, we’re looking for someone passionate about children, learning, and this town. The public library is the community backbone of Outtatowner, and we need someone who can reach the hearts of our youngest learners. I’d love for you to consider it.”

“Yes!” My answer shot out of me, louder than I’d anticipated. I laughed. “I’m sorry. Yes. I would love to.”

“Wonderful!” Dottie clapped her hands together as Bug nodded beside me. “In your role, you would be in charge of programming as well as head of the youth outreach program. With school starting up soon, we’d love to start your orientation as soon as possible.”

“Thank you.” Tears threatened to spill over my lashes, but I tamped them down, and my professionalism slid into place. “I’m honored. I won’t let you down.”

“Of course not,” Dottie said. “Come by next week, and we’ll get everything we need to get you started.”

Dismissed, we exchanged pleasant goodbyes and left Dottie’s office. Once in the hallway, I wrapped Bug in a hug. “Thank you,” I sniffled.

“You are very welcome.” She offered a small but kind pat on my back. “You earned that position by your own merits.”

I swiped under my eyes and looked at her. “I’m in love with Whip.”

I was overtaken by the need to tell her as the words fell from my lips.

Her stern face softened. “I was hoping you had finally realized that.” She patted my back once more. “I think you two will figure things out in time.”

Her eyes flicked to the clock on the wall. “Now I have to get back to work, but I will see you on Monday.”

I nodded and couldn’t wait to find Whip to tell him everything.

I was staying.

I was in love with him, and everything had finally clicked into place. Undeterred that I hadn’t heard from him after his previous text, I left the library and headed toward my car.

FORTY

WHIP

Hidingfrom Emily Ward was no easy maneuver. That woman was tenacious. For nearly eighteen hours, I dodged calls, slinked through town, and pulled every string I could in order to pull off the greatest feat of my life.

But it was time.

My heart pounded with anticipation, a mix of excitement and nerves. Today was the day Emily would see the town transformed—the day I hoped she realized how much shebelonged—not just with me but here, in my small town.

I stood in front of the bookstore a full thirty minutes early because if my gut was right, my Prim would be early. Sure as shit, a full eighteen minutes before she was supposed to arrive, I spotted Emily walking down the main sidewalk.

She wore a soft blue dress that fluttered in the breeze and made my heart thunk. Her feet were tucked into casual white sneakers, and I followed the path up her smooth tanned legs. My heart hammered in time with every step she took.

Her eyes met mine, and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips before she took off in a sprint toward me. I stood my ground in front of the bookstore and grinned. When she reached me, sheflung herself into my arms. I hauled her up and held her tightly, squeezing her ass and pulling her mouth to mine.

The world around us melted as I allowed myself to be lost in her—in us.

When I finally set her on her feet, she beamed up at me. “Hi.”

I swiped a finger across her forehead to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Hey, Prim.”

“You are a hard man to find,” she teased as her hand smoothed down the front of my shirt.

“You’re a tough woman to shake.” I winked and linked our hands.

“I’m sorry, I?—”

I shook my head to stop her. “No. It’s me who owes you an apology. I was being a paranoid hothead and let my doubts get the best of me. Take a walk with me? There’s something I want to show you. It’s my apology.”

Still smiling, Emily eyed me carefully as I turned to face the bookstore. Instead of walking, I shifted us toward the window of Bluebird Books. The simmering tension in the air was palpable as Emily’s curious gaze lingered on me a second longer. I could practicallyfeelthe wheels in her pretty little head cranking as she tried to figure out what I had in store.

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