Page 7 of Love is a Game

“He’s trying to get the state to recognize the hotel as a historical landmark,” Tyson corrected. “He’s been collecting signatures.”

“I think he’s Robby’s executor or something,” Bob said through a mouthful of food. “Didn’t he used to be a—”

“He was, yes.” Julie nodded. “I’m sure he’ll have all the information you need, right, Mom?”

Sadie eyed her. She was acting more high-strung than usual; was she really so excited to have Sadie around?

“Yes I think that’s the best place to start,” Camille agreed. “Maybe you can go in the morning.”

“Okay, I will. That’s a great idea. What is this new librarian’s—”

“How’s work, Tyson?” Camille asked. “I hope these night shifts haven’t been too hard on you. They’ll be hiring soon, won’t they?”

Sadie looked between her mom and Julie, who was focused intently on her food. She hadn’t spent a lot of time at home in the last few years, and she got the sense her family had changed more than she’d realized. Why had her mom cut her off like that? She would have to keep an eye on her; maybe her hearing was going. She shook her head and picked up her sandwich, turning her attention back to the conversation around her.

Chapter Two

Sadie tapped her fingers against her steering wheel. It was five past ten, and the library’s Open sign was still off. Maybe the library ran on “beach time” like so many other businesses in Briar Cove. If that were the case, she could be sitting here for another half hour. Mrs. Dobbs, the previous librarian, never would have opened late. Sadie’s family had said it was a man who worked here now, though, so who knew?

She sighed and grabbed her phone. She could at least check her emails while she waited. She’d left a report half finished back at her parents’ house and was eager to get back to it, but she wanted to come to the library first thing to see if she could get some information about the Cypress Hotel. She knew that evaluating a new site could be a lengthy process, and if the owner was already in the market for buyers, Maddox would have to act soon. She wasn’t sure how to recommend a location to the acquisitions department, but if things looked promising, she would ask Archer what to do.

At 10:08, the neon sign turned on. Sadie grabbed her purse and headed inside the old familiar building. As soon as she stepped inside, she was flooded with memories. Briar Cove’s library was tiny, yet it somehow managed to always have what she needed when she was growing up. The computers had been moved closer to the door, replacing the microfiche machine that always sat unused. There were still only four computer desks, but the machines were newer than the ones she remembered. Beyond them was the children’s corner where her mom had taken her and Julie for story time before they started school. Against the back wall she could see the tables where she’d spent hours studying. Sadie took a deep breath of old-book air and smiled. It felt so good to be back.

She couldn’t see anyone else in the library, but there were sounds coming from the direction of the circulation desk, so she approached and looked behind it. Someone was kneeling on the floor with their head underneath the desk. It sounded like they were struggling quite a bit. Sadie cocked her head to the side, eyeing the khaki cargo shorts warily. Not exactly professional attire.

“Everything all right down there?” she asked.

There was a bang, a head against the desk, she guessed, and then a man’s voice said, “Just trying to untangle these cords. I’ll be right with you.”

“Take your time.” She felt bad for startling him.

“The computers should all be turned on if you need to search the catalog,” he said, grunting with the effort of his task. There was something almost familiar about his voice. She couldn’t place it though. Maybe one of Tyson’s old friends?

“That’s okay,” she told him. “I’m not here for a book. Are you sure you don’t need help?”

After one last grunt, she heard the click of a surge protector switch, and then the man began to crawl out from under the desk.

“That’ll do it. Now,” he said, standing, “what can I help you with?”

Sadie took a step back. The man in front of her was taller than when she’d last seen him. His face and shoulders had broadened, and his jaw had become more chiseled with age, but she recognized that troublesome gleam in his eye and the smug smile that settled on his face when he realized who she was.

Andrew Price.

She looked him up and down, shocked at what she saw. A scruffy five-o’clock shadow darkened his cheeks. One of the pockets on his shorts was ripped. His Stanford sweatshirt was so worn, she knew it must be the same one he’d had in high school. She had never seen him so dressed down. It was unsettling.

“Shady Connor.” He crossed his arms. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

She scowled at the nickname. “What are you doing here?”

He shrugged, gesturing at the room around them. “Working.”

“I meant, what are you doing back in Briar Cove? Last I heard you were at some fancy law firm in LA.”

“Ah, were you keeping tabs on me? I’m touched.”

She ignored the comment. “What happened? Did they fire you when they realized you were only second best?”

He chuckled. His nonchalance was just as aggravating as it had always been. “Now, now.” He tutted. “There’s nothing wrong with coming in second. Right, Madame Vice President?”