Page 83 of Roses in Summer

Stripping out of my dress, I pull an oversized ivory pleated pants set from my closet for my shift at the library. The lightweight fabric is breezy enough for the hot temperatures while sufficiently formal for my job. Throwing my hair up in a low ponytail, I twist the ends of my strands until they coil and then round it into a bun at the base of my neck. I don’t bother checking my reflection and slip into a pair of Veja sneakers before I grab my backpack and race back out the door.

Our brunch ran over the time I expected, and while I won’t complain about the company, the laughs, or even the annoyance of my sisters and friends, I don’t have much time before my shift starts.

“Leaving, see you tonight,” I call out to Bianca as I open the apartment door.

“Wait!” she yells, forcing me to halt my exit.

“What?”

“Meet me at Olivia’s bar after? I feel like annoying her.”

The last thing Olivia needs today is Bianca’s unique brand of annoyance, but I won’t lie and say that visiting Liv at work doesn’t sound like a good idea, even if I know she’ll balk outwardly at the intrusion.

“Okay. Should I pick you up?”

“No. I’m going to go there early with a friend, so I’ll see you there.”

“Be safe.” I point at her, not liking the tone she’s using on the word friend.

“Yes, Mom.”

Shaking my head, I slide out the door and shut it firmly behind me. I make it a few steps before my phone goes off. Assuming it must be my mother or something else from Bianca, I answer it without looking.

“Yeah?” I ask, jogging down the stairwell.

“That how you normally answer the phone, ciern?”

“Lincoln? What— Oh shit,” I mumble as I miss a step, falling into the railing to catch myself.

“Are you okay, Seraphina?” Lincoln’s voice is worried on the line, and I wince as I stand upright, not from pain but embarrassment from being caught off guard and stumbling because of it.

“Yes, sorry, I was just surprised that it was you and not my mom or sister.”

“Don’t you have caller ID? I’m pretty sure Mrs. Gregori’s number wouldn’t come up as ‘Lincoln’ in your phone.”

I roll my eyes at his teasing and resume my descent downstairs. “I didn’t look at the screen before I answered. I just left my apartment, and I’m heading to the library for a few hours.”

“To work or to study?”

“Work. I’m on until six.”

“Hmm. Say hi to Ms. Frizzle for me.”

“Oh my god.” I laugh, shaking my head at the nickname for May. “I will absolutely not tell my boss you’re calling her Ms. Frizzle or that you’re asking about her.”

“Hmm,” he hums into the receiver. He’s silent for a moment, just the sound of his breath filling the line. I don’t make any noise or any attempt to fill the air between us.

“Should I come see you, ciern?” His voice deepens, sounding velvety and smooth, and I can’t help but inhale sharply at the sound. “I haven’t been able to get you out of my goddamn mind, Seraphina. So you tell me when. When I can come and see you. Hell, I’d settle for fucking staring at you across the stacks like a stalker at this point.”

“I-I,” I stumble out, pressing a fist to the butterflies swarming in my stomach. “Lincoln—”

“My name on your lips is sinful, ciern. Something I still can’t believe I get to hear again.”

“Lincoln,” I repeat, my voice sounding breathless to my ears.

“What are you doing after work, Seraphina?” he asks, and I shake my head, clearing the filthy thoughts that just bombarded my vision.

“I’m going to the bar Olivia works at after my shift. It’s called Legends. I’m not sure if you’ve ever heard of it, but—”

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