Bottled Up: April Fools For Love by Roxy Mews Page B

strode up to the help desk. The branch was a large one, but most people tended to use the self-scanners and not bother the librarians at all. He liked talking with the ladies who worked there. His mom had been a librarian, and she’d always taught him to make nice with the women who put the books on hold. It made sure you got the book that didn’t have a broken spine if they had a choice.
    He smiled when he saw Patty was working. Unfortunately, she didn’t have good news for him. The book he was waiting for wasn’t returned yet, but it was due back today.
    “I think you should charge whoever has it extra as punishment for keeping my book hostage,” he told her.
    Patty laughed. “If I had that power, everyone who dog-eared books would get charged per fold.”
    He leaned over the counter to find out what was coming in for the next month. Since there wasn’t anyone else in line she pulled up the Library Journal and they went shopping.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
     
    Betty walked into the library and headed right past the book drop to get her borrows into the hands of the librarians. She jostled her stack of books as she pulled them out of her tote bag when someone stood up behind Patty. No way.
    “Betty! You’re just in time. I’m looking up some books for Nate. What else should I suggest for next month?”
    Wide shoulders spread as Nate took a deep breath and started around the desk. “I’ll catch you later, Patty. I need…” He stopped when he got to Betty. “You have it?” Nate pointed to her hand and one of the books she was returning.
    “You like him?” she asked. She handed Nate the book, and it looked like he wanted to leave, but he wanted the book more.
    Patty grabbed it from him. “You can’t take it until I run it as returned, mister.”
    Nate shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’ll get it later.”
    “You might not get this one then. There could be a mix up and maybe the person behind you would get it first.”
    Nate’s mouth dropped open. “You wouldn’t.”
    “It’s a risk you’d be taking if you left,” Patty sang as she walked toward the scanners. “I’ll be back in a minute to get the book to you. If you’re still here.”
    He crossed his arms and turned to Betty. “Do you have something to do with this?”
    “I’m just here at the library. I didn’t even know you read.”
    “Because a stripper is obviously illiterate.”
    A couple of teenage girls giggled behind their hands, and Betty had to smile with them as Nate grabbed her arm and tugged her behind the desk. Normally she wouldn’t chance hanging behind the command center, but Patty was obviously on her side here. She loved her librarian even more.
    “Are you going to shout out other stereotypes about adult service people?” Betty asked.
    “You said—”
    She held a hand up to his mouth to shush him. “I said I didn’t know if you read. I meant for pleasure. You were more interested in physical activities when I knew you before. I didn’t ever see you with a book in high school.”
    “I had a lot of time to read when I flew out to location. I could only write and read so many letters. And after getting my ego squashed by a girl I was interested in recently, I needed a good laugh.”
    “I needed a laugh too.”
    Nate pulled another book out of her stack. “And some romance?”
    She shrugged. “I figured I might pick up some pointers. I’m not doing so good winging it on my own.”
    “You could use some communication help.”
    She put down her stack and folded her arms. There were only so many times she could apologize. “I’ve been trying to communicate.”
    “I know.” He held up his phone. “It’s just awkward. And now that my boss is living with you, it doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
    “What doesn’t?” she asked.
    He backed up. “Um. Us? Us getting together again. I thought…isn’t that what you were apologizing for? To get together again?”
    “I still have all the sand bottles.” Man, she was