Page 22 of Loving Luna

“Anything look promising?” I asked, trying to spark conversation.

“A few things. I’m hoping we can vote or something? Seems better than just one person picking the book for everyone, doesn’t it?”

“That’s a great idea.” I was kinda surprised I hadn’t thought of that myself. It sure alleviated the stress of picking the wrong book and ruining the book club before it even had a chance to get off the ground. “Everyone can read the blurbs and we could go from there.” I picked up a book and started reading.

“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. Seems like an easy way to spark discussion since we don’t have an actual story to discuss yet.”

“Good point. You’ve really put some thought into this book club. You excited about it?” The fact that she was the first student there and also throwing ideas at me were telltale clues to how much she was looking forward to this and I mentally high-fived Master Derek for asking me to do this. “Want to help me carry these out to the main area so not everyone is cramped back here?”

“What are we going to do? Put them in a pile on the floor in the middle of the chair circle?” She threw her sass at me and I smiled.

“Been a long time since you had your ass beat, huh?” I couldn’t help myself. Teasing her was just too much fun to resist.

“Whatever, Drake.”

Was that a blush on her cheeks? Or was it just hopeful on my part?

“Why don’t we put one on each chair and then we can rotate them around and chat as everyone reads?” I offered a simple solution and one I thought she might like. Even though I was running the book club so ultimately I had final say, having her there made it better and having her help me made it feel like we could get some ofusback.

“Okay. Yeah, we can do that.” She nodded and started stacking up the books.

“Glad you approve.” I rolled my eyes.

“Approve? What do you mean ‘approve’?” she asked as she walked past me with an armful.

“I mean I don’t mind you helping, but ultimately I’m running this thing.” I decided to at least let her know where I stood.

“I’m sorry, what?” She turned on her heel to face me. “You’re not running this thing, I am.”

“How do you figure?” I wondered if maybe Dalton had asked her without knowing Derek had already given me the task.

“Master Derek specifically asked me to do it.”

“Why would he ask you when he already asked me?” What the heck was happening?

“Why would he ask you?” She looked at me like I was an idiot. “You don’t even go to school here.”

“He specifically said he needed someone who wasn’t a student to eliminate any issues that could arise about like favoritism and stuff.”

“He told me that’s why Emily wasn’t doing it.” She continued to argue.

In that moment I knew exactly what was happening. “The matchmaker is at it again,” I grumbled half to myself but not too quiet that Luna couldn’t hear me.

“Are you kidding me? Why would he… did you tell him something?” she accused, her voice growing louder.

“I didn’t say a word. What would I tell him anyway?”

“He’s such a busybody.” She huffed loudly in exasperation as she turned and flounced away.

I couldn’t argue, but I also wasn’t mad about it. If we were running this thing together there would be no way she could continue to avoid me. And I would be lying if I said I didn’t love that.

I followed Luna out to the main part of the library where she stutter-stepped almost causing me to crash into the back of her.

“What are you doing?” I asked before looking over her head and seeing all of the seats full and Master Derek standing near the entrance. All sets of eyes were focused on us.

“Busybody, huh?” Master Derek asked with a quirk of his brow

Luna’s shoulders fell and her eyes dropped to the stack of books still in her hands. “Sorry, Sir.”

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