Page 13 of Drive Me Wild
“Good. Good for them. But the library has perfectly good internet so that Zoe can work there.” He turns to me, almost as if he just recalled I am sitting nearby. “The library is close to the cafe so that you can fuel up on coffee. Talk to Avery. They might have wifi at the cafe, so you can work in a booth occasionally.”
I nod, recalling that I’d worked in the library the first time I visited and that Avery told me earlier today that the cafe is close to Caleb’s shop.
And then my mind drifts back to what’s in my pocket.
I drag my tired ass up the stairs and practically fall on the bed. The only thing keeping my eyes open is knowing I can finally look at the note.
I pull it out of my back pocket and unfold the simple lined paper ripped from a notepad with visible fingerprints. Those have to be Caleb’s. The paper smells like a machine shop and the scribble on it is hard to read, but I manage to make out the words.
“Welcome back. Hope you find the ‘more’ you are looking for.”
I press it to my chest as my heart rate kicks up three notches.
He remembered.
Late Monday morning, I drive to the library to do some work. When I pull up, I notice the parking lot is abandoned, even though Renée had told me the open hours.
Maybe I got it wrong?
I see a sign taped to the door, so I walk up to read it.
“Our sincere apologies, closed until further notice.”
I press my face to the glass to see if there is anyone inside, even though there aren’t any cars in the lot. The building is empty, and the lights are off.
“Well, this sucks,” I say to no one.
I hop back in my car and head to the Daily Dose, where Avery works. The lot is full of cars, and when I step inside, the place is buzzing. I see Avery and wave. She nods to the counter, where there are bar stools, so I slip onto one and wait for her.
She plunks a mug in front of me, and I can see she’s worked up a sweat with all the full tables.
“Coffee?”
“Yeah. Hey, this place is crazy!”
“I know. It’s not usually like this outside of tourist season, but everyone apparently decided to come down to talk about the library.”
“That’s actually why I’m here.”
“You too?” She fills my mug and puts a metal pot of cream in front of me.
“I need to use their internet. There’s none at my new apartment, and the signal sucks at the main house.”
“Well, you’re out of luck. They had a building inspection early this morning for their insurance and discovered extensive termite damage. Place is closed indefinitely.”
She points her head toward the tables of locals, loudly chatting about the fate of the building.
“That’s why everyone is here. To talk about it and speculate where the books are going to go in the meantime.”
“Shit, Avery. I really need the internet to work.”
“Sorry, I don’t know any other place that has a public network.”
I drop my head in my hands and mumble thanks before she runs off to refill mugs and bring orders out to tables.
I don’t know how long I sat here drinking my coffee feeling sorry for myself, but I feel a weight on my body as if someone is looking at me. When I lift my head to look at the mirrored wall in front of me, I see Caleb’s reflection heading my way.
He climbs into the seat next to me, and the side of my body facing him heats up. It’s nearly impossible for me to be near him without little earthquakes erupting in my core.
