Page 84 of Roses in Summer

“Sweetheart, half of my junior year was spent in Legends, drinking just to forget you.”

“Oh.” I clear my throat, unsure how to respond after that confession.

“Maybe I’ll see you later, ciern. Be safe at the library and at the bar. Call me if you have any issues, yeah?”

“Okay, Lincoln,” I whisper.

“Bye, my little thorn. I’ll see you tonight.” I hang up on him before I can say anything else. Or worse, he can.

Sliding my phone into my bag, I jog down the rest of the stairs in a daze, both from Lincoln’s threat of seeing me later and the way I hope his prophecy comes to fruition. I let his words guide me across the lot and play on repeat during my short drive to campus, playing and replaying it like a cassette in my mind to derive a clue or meaning.

I’m still stumbling over his words, butterflies dancing in my stomach at the thought of seeing him tonight and what that might mean while simultaneously worrying about how Olivia will react to me and Bianca showing up at the bar.

My head is in turmoil, my stomach in knots as I walk through the heavy doors of the library, and I almost slip past May on my trek across the lobby and toward the employee break and storage room.

“Hi, Seraphina,” she chirps, bringing me out of my daze. “You look lovely this afternoon.”

“Oh.” I look down, surveying the set I’m wearing and relieved that it doesn’t look disheveled. “Hi, May. Thank you. How are you?”

“I’m well, I’m well. The schedule for July is posted in the break room. The library will be closed the week of the Fourth.”

“I didn’t realize it would be closed the entire weekend,” I murmur, simultaneously relieved I don’t need to request time off but also annoyed that I don’t have an excuse to avoid the lake house. “Thank you for letting me know.”

“I’m sure no one wants to hide in a library when they can be watching fireworks. Any fun plans for next week?”

I smile at her inquiry. “A get-together with friends.”

“Lovely. Well, you’re in the archive room today; thank you for coming in. I know you were supposed to be off, but the sooner I can get those boxes out of here, the sooner you can come to the desk and help Julie.”

“Of course.” I nod at the mention of the other full-time librarian. “I’ll be downstairs if you need me.”

With a wave, I turn and start walking toward the basement, sweeping my eye over the floor to ensure there are no signs of Mitch anywhere. When I don’t see his unwelcome form, I release a sigh, breathing easier as I make my way downstairs to get lost in the monotony of scanning and renaming periodicals and newspapers.

—

“God, that hurts,” I mumble, twisting my torso to work out the kink in my back from the two hours spent hunched over the computer and scanner. Releasing a sigh at the popping sound and immediate relief, I gather my bag and double-check the space, making sure all the boxes are neatly closed and stacked in their appropriate sections.

Satisfied with how I’m leaving the room, I walk to the stairs and flick off the lights, knowing that no one will come down here after I go, and take the stairs slowly. I’m careful with my movements, making sure that I don’t step on my slightly too-long pants as I ascend the staircase to the first floor of the library. I stop short when I exit the threshold, surprised to find May standing in front of a window with a roll of paper towels and a spray bottle.

“May?” May whirls around, her face set in an irritated scowl. “Everything okay?”

“You would think adults would know not to touch glass, but of course, they don’t,” she seethes, gesturing to the window with the paper towels. “Some aberrant felon thought it would be funny to lick the window. Do you have any idea how many germs are on that glass, Seraphina?”

“A lot?”

“Disgraceful. That’s what this is. And I caught him doing it too. No doubt he’s a student in that Professor Reddenbalm’s class.”

“Right. Uh, do you need help with that?”

May shakes her head, turning back to the window as she does. “No. Go home. I’m going to spray this window down and call the maintenance staff and ask them to give me that sour apple spray for dogs. I never thought I’d have to spray repellent on windows to prevent students from licking them.”

My eyes tear from the effort to hold in my laugh. It’s not funny—it’s actually extremely gross, but the absurdity cannot be denied. “Okay, well, have a nice evening, May. I’ll see you on Monday?”

“Yes, yes. And don’t forget, we’re closed the week of the Fourth.”

Nodding, I smile at her back and pull my phone out of my pocket. There are a slew of text messages on the screen, but one name sticks out to me. Unlocking my phone, I click on the thread with my best friend.

Olivia:Bianca is here sucking some guy’s face off.

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