Page 81 of The Luminosity of Loriana Harper

You’re nuts. If Mitch wanted Marnie, he’d say something.

Would he really, though?

And if Marnie wanted Mitch, she’d speak up.

Would she really, though?

Loriana didn’t have suitable answers to either question, and since Mitch kept showing up at her place every night, she decided she wasn’t going to question it. She might as well enjoy herself. And if she did some sneaky things during her lunch hours at the library, that wasn’t so bad.

Right?

Except Marnie was about to foil her plans.

“I was thinking of having an early night.”

Loriana glared at Marnie. “On December twenty-fourth? I’m letting you off work at two so you can go home and get ready for my party. Which starts at five, don’t be late.” She snagged a pile of books and headed for the stacks.

Marnie followed, hot on her heels. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea for me to come.”

Lord, give me strength. “You told Mitch you’d come.” Loriana gave her the imperious stare she reserved for patrons who didn’t use their indoor voices.

To her regret, Marnie took a step back.

Damn.

“I just…it’s not…” The young librarian couldn’t seem to form words.

Loriana longed to reach out and soothe, but that was something Marnie wouldn’t welcome. In fact, she’d withdraw further. Loriana offered her most reassuring smile. “Look, just come and stay for a few minutes. Be friendly to Mitch—he’s as liable to be nervous as you are.”

Marnie narrowed her eyes. “Oh, I think he’s doing just fine on his own.”

What does that mean?

“He’s still new in town and I’ve invited a few people he doesn’t know.”

“Do I know them?”

“For sure.” Fingers crossed behind her back. Marnie knew some of them. A few were strangers, but all were really nice people.

Deep-green eyes held way more suspicion and wariness than any twenty-four-year-old should have. It hurt Loriana’s heart. Marnie’d never been truly free. Whatever shackled her—figuratively—kept her from relaxing. Loriana’d had a crappy childhood, but she’d embarked on her twenties with enthusiasm.

And then I met Todd.

Okay, wrong track. So not the way to go.

“So you’ll come?”

Those eyes were damning. “For a few minutes.” Marnie looked around them, ensuring no one was within hearing range. “This is hard for me.”

“I know it is.” And she did. She knew enough about the differences between introverts and extroverts. “Well, you can leave a little early so you’re all rested up for my Christmas social the next day.” Without waiting for a response, Loriana disappeared into the stacks to shelve books.

Marnie’s distinctive huff reached her, and she smiled to herself.

The library closed early on Christmas Eve Day, and Loriana had everyone out the door and the building shuttered by two-fifteen. She’d done all her shopping the night before. All that was left was picking up Mitch at his condo and then heading home.

He stood at the appointed spot, hunched over in the cold.

When she pulled up, he hopped into the car.

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