Page 51 of Overdue

“Heading to work?” she asks.

“Yep. It’s so much better with the eye candy working in the square across the street.” I’m not just referring to Reed, either. The cement crew he brought in was like watching a male review. Muscles upon muscles, especially the guy with the scoring saw. “You?”

“I have my class on Bra Burning Literature in an hour. The class is on groundbreaking women’s literature in the twentieth century. We even have several male students actively participating. I love when students take on sexist barriers head-on.”

“And I’m sure it had nothing to do with the hope it’s a class on books about boobs,” I say. Mom stands in thought for a moment.

“Huh, I hadn’t thought of that when I named it. Oh well, they’re trapped now.” She smiles. It strikes me that soon I won’t be having these conversations on the way to work anymore. I’ll be living with Reed at the end of the block. I guess I should tell her.

“So speaking of,” I begin.

“Boobs and men?”

“Well, men, I guess. Maybe boobs.” I shake my head. Off topic. “Anyway, I’m moving in with Reed as soon as Jennie moves to her new home. He has several empty bedrooms so it makes sense to rent one.” Mom’s smile grows even wider. “I mean, that’s a lot of house for one man.”

“Honey, I’ve known that for a while. Jennie told me a week ago,” she says. How? I didn’t even know a week ago. I don’t ask. I’ve learned to just accept that the gossip wheel has a magic all its own. “Do we need to prepare for food fights and slamming doors at the other end of the block?”

“Maybe.” I laugh. “He just needs to stop saying stupid things, and I won’t need to throw food at him. No problem.”

I follow her out the door. Dad is already waiting in the car. I wave as they pull away, then decide to walk to work. It’s such a gorgeous spring day. I call out “good morning” to at least a dozen neighbors on the way.

When I arrive at the library, Reed is already at work. He looks amazing with his T-shirt stretched over muscles that I’m slowly getting to know like the back of my hand. Just the thought of running my hands over him makes my body buzz.

“Hey sexy lady,” he catcalls, then whistles.

Such a jerk. I let the comment slide off my back with a laugh. Would you like to know how I know I’m getting better at taking things in stride? Because that would normally elicit a speech about objectifying women.

Oh god, have I turned into my mother? I shake my head. Instead of an impassioned speech, I just laugh. I’ve come a long way.

He crooks a finger at me, and I walk over to him. Hooking his arm around my neck, he pulls me in for a kiss. His crew hoots and hollers. We ignore them as we enjoy standing in the sun with our lips locked together in the middle of the town square. Talk about P.D.A. When he pulls back, he smiles down at me.

“Damn, I like doing that,” he says.

“Me too.” We grin at each other like two teenage idiots before I head for the library. The early birds are already waiting for me at the door to open up.

* * *

The week rolls on. My routine is as follows: get up, walk to the library, kiss Reed in the town square, and work. Then Reed gives me a ride home, we eat at one of our houses, and he slips in the front door using the spare key after my parents are in bed. Sex, sex, sex. And that’s everything you need to know about what I do with my days.

Even though I’m not getting much sleep, I still have a smile on my face when I climb out of bed this morning. Reed leaves sometime around six so he can get to work before his crew.

Today, they’re putting in a small playground area. I’m desperate for him to finish and for the square to be officially opened. We’ve been saving some of our favorite children’s books to read under the new oak tree.

I think I’m finally settling into small-town life again. I’m even a little surprised to realize that I’m actually learning to enjoy it. True, everyone knows all of my personal business. But, they’re also the same people that will lend a hand whenever I need one.

It wasn’t long ago that I was itching to get out of here. To go where the action was. Now, I enjoy what small-town life has to offer. We might not have all of the amenities of a big city. Instead, we have an amazing imagination. Sometimes, I think I can entertain myself for hours with nothing more than watching cars drive by.

My head is in a much better place than when I arrived a few months ago. Reed has a lot to do with that. He helped give me a sense of self worth again.

I think I needed someone to make my blood boil for both good and not-so-good reasons. I was allowed to vent without worrying about chasing off my best friend. Wow, Reed Campbell is my best friend. That still sounds odd to my ears.

I’m almost dressed when I hear an incoming email ping my phone. Reaching over, I tap the touchpad on my computer. An email opens from my agent. It’s the email I’ve tried to put out of my mind all week. The one I’ve been waiting for with bated breath. I read it through twice before the words sink in.

Austen,

I was more than a little surprised to receive your email at the beginning of the week. It was my understanding you were done with writing.

I’m glad you decided to give it another try. I read straight through the beginning of your newest submission in one sitting. It’s fantastic, to say the least.

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