Page 1 of Bella and Her Beast
CHAPTER ONE
ISABELLA
Another dreary day here in the lively city of New Orleans. The usual sounds of second line bands marching down the quarter is replaced by the splashing of the water from cars as they navigate the thoroughfares.
Some may be off-put by this weather, but not me. See, it’s perfect. Being a librarian in the metropolitan area hardly allows me to do any form of relaxing. On days like today, I enjoy spending time with the shelves and reading another book from my to-be-read list.
There are maybe four people present. Two of whom look to be students from the university, an older woman in our research area, and a younger, yet attractive man who is very interested in paranormal and spiritual books.
He’s in here nearly every night, but we haven’t spoken, though. Anytime he’s looking for a particular subject, he asks my Co-manager, Joy, for help. If I even attempt to help, he turns away and saunters back to the table where the remains of the finished books and his notebooks lie. I told her he must have a thing for her, but she says no.
“I see your crush is in here tonight,” I say, when I return to the service desk with my latest find.
Joy glances in his direction and posts a hand on her hip. “I don’t know what’s up with that guy. I actually saw him lurking about earlier. He darted in here just before you arrived. Kinda creepy, if you ask me.”
“He could just be terribly shy,” I defend. “Not everyone is brazen like you.”
She smirks at my comment and excuses herself to the break room.
I look at our mystery man and thoroughly check him out. He always wears a dark hoodie with the hood pulled tight, black jeans, and fingerless gloves. He stands about six feet-three inches and from the one half-full glimpse I got of him; he has the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. Can’t make much of anything else since he’s so wrapped up. Our gaze locks for a second, but is quickly broken by Joy’s return.
“Ugh, can it stop raining for like a day or two? I need sunshine for happiness.” She takes her seat and loads up her computer to process the returns we collected from the outside bin.
“Joy, even rainy days are enjoyable,” I say, peering over the pages of my current conquest.
“For you, yes. A person who sees the bright side to every story. But for me, I need to feel the kiss of the sun on my skin and get some vitamin D in the process.”
“You don’t need any sun for vitamin D. Your boyfriend gives you that,” I jokingly reply.
“Well, he does that, too. At least I have a boyfriend. When are you going to date again?”
I don’t date. Let me rephrase, I don’t do relationships or feelings. Likeable men have courted me, enticed me with luxury trinkets and fancy meals. A few have even given me theirvitamin D, but I never go beyond that point. Not sure why, but believe me it isn’t for lack of trying. Years of failed advances gets tiring, so I’ve reserved the right to just—not try.
My mom says it’s because I fantasize about the men I read about in books, but my Gigi says it's because I haven’t metthe one. Mom usually butts in, and they get to talking in our ancestors' native tongue of Español.
“I’ll date when the planets align at the right time.”
That may sound corny or even out of a book, but it’s true. I think it will take a full moon or celestial bodies getting into some weird formation before I date again. I go back to my fantasy world where the heroine is struggling to find love because she is so driven about her career. The hero is a business magnate who runs a tight ship and has an on again, off again romance with a girl he once knew. A mis-dialed number and that’s where the heat from the pages burns my fingers.
“Ms., I’m ready to check out now,” the business woman says, approaching the counter.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize anyone was standing here,” I offer an apology for the delay, scan her card, and then the material she wants to borrow.
“Dirty Calls? I’ve never heard of that book title before. What’s it about?” she asks.
I look to her and then avert my eyes when I hand her the book. She reads the blurb, and before I know she’s engrossed in the first few pages. I don’t mind, recommending great reads is kind of my job.
She clears her throat. “Do you have another copy? I need something to keep me occupied at night.” She smirks with a raised brow.
I oblige her request and grab a copy from the to be shelved stack. “Let me know what you think. Maybe we can have a discussion.”
“That’ll be great. Maybe a glass of wine with our book chat?” she questions.
“I’m all in for Pinot, or Moscato any day,” I laugh.
She chuckles followed by a cute little snort. I pass her the books and she tucks them away in her bag.
“Ooh, cute bracelet,” she observes.
