Page 20 of Leashed

Chapter Eight

Sage rose up on her toes to slide a book into place on a top shelf, biting back a scream when a large hand covered hers and pushed the spine flush with the others. Recoiling, she stepped to the side and looked up to meet Bo’s bloodshot eyes. “You scared me.”

“This is a series,” he stated, holding up the novel he’d started the evening before.

“A lot of them are,” she replied, accepting the book and walking toward the checkout desk. “You’re done already?”

He shoved his hands deep into his pockets and leaned against the counter while she scanned the novel back into the system. “Finished it during a smoke break.” He glanced around the packed library. “How’s your day been? Car starting okay?”

Pulling a stack of returns closer to scan in, she stared at the computer screen for a moment.

How’s your day been?

The question was so common.

A flippant, socially acceptable question exchanged between strangers thousands of times a day.

And she couldn’t remember the last time someone she knew had asked her.

“It’s been good,” she answered by rote, returning her attention to the stack of books at her side.

Reaching over the counter to grab a book ready for shelving, he read over the back. “Why good?”

“I—” She paused to recall her day. “I had a table of six at the lounge and one guy had a long piece of noodle stuck in his beard. But everyone was really obviously ignoring it, so I followed suit and had to keep a straight face every time he asked for a refill. They were there for two hours and absolutely no one told him.” She looked up to see him smirking. “I should’ve told him.”

With a shrug, he set the first book down and picked up another. “No harm done, right? Did it crack you up?” When she responded with nothing more than a smile, he grinned. “Chalk it up to a guilty pleasure, then.” He side-eyed the stacks. “So is the rest of that series over there?”

She nodded and checked the time before she led him to the correct shelf. “How about you? Anyone inadvertently embarrass themselves for your sadistic amusement today?”

Holding his hand out to accept the next four in the series, he grunted in annoyance. “I wish. The owner of the shop I’m working in this week waited until after I’d lined up four hoists before he decided to shuffle everything over six inches. Wasted half my fucking day, but he bought lunch, so not a total loss.” He frowned at the book covers. “Which is the second one?”

She tapped the one on top. “That one.” Biting back a smile, she brought him back to the checkout desk and scanned her own library card. “So what did you think about his big reveal?”

“Fucking bullshit,” he grumbled, yanking an elastic off of his wrist and pulling his hair back. “No way she’d be totally fine with him being a vampire. All that love crap at the end would never happen. She would’ve staked him, ratted him out to the cops, or just walked away.” He slid the next four books in the series across the counter. “The sex scenes were pretty good, though.”

Rolling her eyes, she knelt down to collect her purse and backpack. “Those are due back in two weeks. And you swear a lot. In case you were wondering.”

“Noted, you’re right, and I wasn’t wondering, because I know.” He grinned, lingering around while she signed out and gave a quick rundown to the closing librarian. “You heading home now?”

Watching as Nixon’s truck pulled up in front of the large windows, she shook her head. “Nix and I are heading out to a movie. Any plans tonight?”

*

Bo stayed halfa step ahead of Sage while a flashy black sports car rode up onto the sidewalk. “Nope. I need to touch base back home.” He gave the dark-haired guy with an overgroomed goatee an unimpressed stare as the passenger window rolled down. “Hey. Nice to see you again, Dixon.”

The man bristled, his thin lips disappearing completely. “Nixon.”

“Right.” He smirked, holding his hand out to take Sage’s heavy book bag as she opened the trunk. “Like the politician. What’s on the docket for tonight, Nixon?”

Sage’s boyfriend looked down at his watch then glanced into the back as she took her bag from Bo. “At this rate, probably drive-through.”

Taking a step back, he adjusted the stack of books under his arm. “Probably should’ve gotten here sooner, then. Get held up at work?”

Nixon side-eyed him. “Actually, yes.” He huffed as Sage closed the trunk and hesitated a second before opening the passenger side. “Sage. Let’s go.”

She climbed inside quickly, hugging her purse tight as she closed the door with a thud. “Sorry, hon. I’m ready.” She gave Bo a tight smile. “Have a good night.”

*

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