Page 52 of Midnights
Could I have someone drive us around? Yeah, easily. But I actually likedriving, it keeps my mind busy. Besides, I didn’t want to bethat guy.
When she walked out of the house, I was grateful I was already sitting down.
Lord, have mercy.
She’s got on a green hoodie, black leggings, and hiking boots with fluffy socks peeking out of the top. It’s not anything special. Not anything designed to grab attention and yet, here I am gripping the wheel like it’s the only thing keeping me from completely losing my damn mind.
How the hell does she make hiking gear look like something straight out of a photoshoot? She could probably wear a paper bag and still look hot as fuck.
I make the grave mistake of letting my mind wander, picturing her bent over the hood of the car in just that damn hoodie.
I shift in my seat, praying no one notices.
What the hell am I supposed to do all day if just knowing she exists makes my body react like this? I’m not fifteen, for fuck’s sake.
I exhale slowly, forcing myself to focus on the road.
I point out a few landmarks, throwing in bits of history. Cam, never one to pass up the chance to add a little flair, jumps in with tales of ancient curses, mischievous Fae, and dark legends. It’s the kind of thing that holds their attention far more than a rundown of historical battles ever could.
Raven soaks up every word. She leans forward, hanging onto every detail, andfuck, I hate how much I like watching her like this.
When we finally pull up to our first stop, a small, weathered bookstore tucked between stone buildings, I catch the way her eyes linger on it.
This place has been around for as long as I can remember, and the owner is a good friend. I park the car and the second Raven steps out, she exhales a quiet, “Wow.”
I don’t even try to hide my smirk. “Thought you might like this place,” I watch the way her fingers flex, like she’s already itching to get inside. “There’s a pretty impressive section on mastering darts you should check out.”
She barely hears me. She’s already moving, taking it all in like she’s trying to commit every detail to memory.
“This place is perfect,” she whispers.
I wasn’t sure just how deep her love for books ran, but if she loves this place? She’d lose her mind over the library at the estate.
Cam strolls up beside me, his hands in his pockets, grinning like an idiot. “Mind out of the gutter, mate.”
I shoot him a sharp look, but he just laughs and saunters off.
Once we're inside, the scent of aged paper and polished wood fills the air. Raven heads straight for the folklore section, trailing her fingers along the spines like they’re secrets meant only for her. I pretend to browse nearby, but let’s be honest, my attention is completely on her.
She’s fascinating to watch. The way she tilts her head when something catches her eye, the way her lips part slightly as she skims a page like she’s trying to drink in every word.
Rachel and Cam are off doing their own thing, talking and laughing somewhere in the back. I hear a sharp inhale and look over just as she pulls a book from the shelf, her eyes wide with excitement.
Scottish Folklore and Legends.
I read the title aloud, and the grin she gives me is enough to knock the air right out of my lungs.
“Rachel, look at this!” Raven calls out, waving the book in the air like she’s just discovered treasure.
Rachel, already balancing a ridiculous stack of books, grins. “Obviously, you need to buy that.”
“I could stay here all day,” Raven admits, clutching the book to her chest like it’s something precious. A strange tug pulls in my chest, but I shove it down before I can think too much about it.
Rachel wanders off, disappearing deeper into the store, leaving us alone in a quiet aisle.
Raven steps closer, stopping right next to me at the bookshelf I’m leaning against. Her shoulder is just inches away, and close enough to feel the warmth of her body.
“Thanks for bringing us here.” Her voice is soft, as she pulls another book off the shelf.
