Page 26 of Bookworm

He nodded. "Will do."

I tried not to stare at his gorgeous face, but it was hard.

"I just have a lot of followers," he explained while turning his phone between his fingers. "They're insatiable, so Ilike todocument everything. Which,naturally, includes my first trip to the library."

Leif winked, and I giggled.

Ugh. What the heck, Lottie?

"Can I help you with something?" I said. "Did you want to check out a book?"

"Yeah," he said, opening a note on his phone and showing me. "Do you have thisone? I need it for a project that was due today.Forgot to do it, so I'm pullingan all-nighter. Hopefully,Mr. Warshaw won't bite my head off."

"Sure," I said and bent to look beneath the desk. "I actually think I have a copy right…here."

With a flourish, I placed the book on the counter as well as one of our standard forms.

"Just fill out this paperwork for a library card, and you'll be good to go."

Leif heaved a sigh of relief, running his hand through his hair in a way that was just so charming. "Thanks, you're a lifesaver."

"Sure."

As he began filling in the blanks, the bell above the door sounded again.

This time the person who filed inside was a familiar face.

Bo Stryker had a book under his arm, and when he saw who stood in front of me, his gaze grew flinty.

Leif threw a look over his shoulder, flashed a grin at Bo, then said, "Hey, Iceman. Didn't expect to seeyou here."

Bo just said, "Hey."

"Is the library one of your main hangouts? You go here to pick up girls or what?"

Stryker stayed silent, and Leif chuckled.

"Ah, that's right. They're theones thirsty for a taste of you."To me, he mock-whispered, "Chariot High's a pretty big school, but everyone knows the Iceman. He must have some secret because all the girls are after him."

I laughed awkwardly.

"What school do you go to?" Leif asked.

My smiled wavered, but Bo just rolled his eyes.

"That's Charlotte Kent," Bo said, and when he got no reaction, his frown deepened. "She goes to school with us,idiot."

"Ah," Leif said, looking at me again, "sorry. I remember now. You're always carryingaroundall those books. Charlotte the Bookworm."

I shrugged. "Yep, that's me."

"Sorry again," he said with an apologetic smile.

I was willing to be that look got him out of tons of trouble.

Leif passed back the paper with his information and twirled the book around in his hands. "Need anything else?"

I was debating in my head.

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