Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Jenna
“You’re being creepy.”
His eyes widened and his eyebrows rose in mock horror. “How dare you!”
“Stop following me around, and I’ll stop calling you creepy.”
“I like following you, Firefly. I just want to be near you.”
My heart melted a little. “I like it, too.”
“Do you need anything else?”
I looked around at the materials he’d helped prep for my next group—a bird feeder craft to go with the book, A Birdie Named Gerdie.
“No, that’s all. Thank you for your help.”
“My pleasure. I’ll just sit there and read during the class.” He gestured to a tiny table with a towering collection of children’s books about firefighters, ice cream shops, and tricks to teach dogs. “I’ll stay out of the way, but I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you, too.” The crazy thing was, I meant it.
I thought it would be awkward to have him watching me all day, but he was sweet and funny, and he seemed genuinely happy to be there.
He’d eagerly pulled out all those books, being silly about it while still being respectful of me and my library.
He’d even helped clean up after the morning toddler rush and said he’d help put away the books.
And with him there distracting me, I’d barely given much thought to my nightmare. “You can’t sit there, though.”
His lips pulled down in a silly, exaggerated frown, and they looked so kissable in his velvety beard. “Why not?”
“Because it’s made for little kids, not six-foot giants. You’ll be more comfortable in the adult section.”
“I’m six five, and I’m staying here, near you. I’ll bring over an adult chair, though, so I don’t break yours.”
Oh wow. The only thing breaking here was my ribs—my chest felt like it might crack wide open.
My heart was too big, too full from the way he made me feel; there was no way to contain it.
I couldn’t say or do anything about that now, though, so I thanked him with a ridiculously big smile and said, “They’ll be coming in soon. Go read.”
“I will, and I’m also going to work on the plans for later. Do you have any preference?”
“Nope, surprise me.”
He blew me a discreet kiss on his way out of the activity room, and that was absolutely perfect, just like him.
Izzy hurried in right after he left and threw her arms around me. “Sorry for doubting you. He’s awesome, but I can’t decide if you guys are making me more envious or nauseous.”
“Hey!” I swatted her away.
“Kidding! I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, Iz.”
A few minutes later, just after the first two kids arrived, Liam came back in, a thunderous look on his face.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, rushing over.
“I got called in.”
A chill ran down my spine. It must’ve been really bad for him to get called in and for him to look like that. “What happened?”
“Don’t worry,” he said, his expression gentling. “It’s not bad, just a lot going on. There’s a multi-alarm fire in an apartment building downtown, and also a car accident with injuries and smoke. It’s being covered, but they’re stretched thin and might need additional units so they called us in.”
“If it’s not bad, why do you look like that?”
“I don’t want to leave you,” he said, his voice tight. “I told you I’d be here with you today.”
“Liam…” I whispered, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I love having you here. I don’t want you to go, but only because I’m enjoying your company. I don’t need protection at work. I’ll be okay.”
“Be safe. Heat up the lunch we brought, and stay inside the library? Please?”
“I will. Don’t worry about me. Go ahead.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can. If I can’t make it back before closing—”
His concern wrapped around me like a blanket, even if it was a bit much. “Stop it. I’ll call Juliette or Nicky for a ride. I’m fine.”
With a resigned nod, Liam squeezed my hand and hurried out.
Immediately missing him more than was reasonable, I followed him to the doorway under the pretense of greeting the kids coming in, and watched the muscles flex in his broad back, his thick thighs, and his tight butt as he jogged away.
Turning back into the room, a chill ran through me as my attention caught on the contractor standing outside the construction area, his cold, blue eyes on me. Dan. I’d been uneasy around him before, but just my usual. Never like this—never so sharp, so intense.
An ugly feeling twisted in my stomach. This was exactly what I was afraid of. I loved having Liam here, but the second he left and I was on my own, I was jumpier than usual.
I forced myself to smile at Dan before I hurried in and welcomed the class with an overly cheerful greeting. I read them a book about a hungry bird named Gerdie and they made bird feeders, and then I headed back to the circulation desk.
“Jenna,” the same construction worker said as he strode toward me, his long gray ponytail swinging with each step. He stepped up to the desk and rested his forearms on it, leaning toward me.
Every muscle in my body went stiff, but I smiled. “Dan, right?”
“You remember me,” he said with a too-bright smile.
I gave an awkward chuckle and took half a step back, straightening a pile of books to keep my hands busy. Anything to do besides look at his icy stare. “Can I help you with something?”
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
“What?” My eyes shot up before quickly dropping back down to the books.
“The paint you requested isn’t available. I tried to get a color that’s close, but nothing seemed quite right.” He leaned closer. “Come with me to the paint store.”
Heck no. “I can’t, I’m working.” Damn, I hated the tremble in my voice.
“We’ll only be gone for a few minutes. No one will even notice,” he said, his tone smooth and coaxing and terrifying.
“Sorry, I can’t leave during work. I’ll look up some similar colors online and let you know.” Not bad. I managed to sound almost normal.
He scowled. “Listen, I’m not repainting the room if you don’t like the color. Let’s just go.”
A flicker of fear ran down my spine, but I drew in a steadying breath and tried to lock onto a professional tone. “Thank you for your concern, but I’m not leaving the library during my workday. I’ll go to the store later and give you the name of a paint color tomorrow.”
He stared down at the desk for a long moment before he looked back up at me with a half-smile that didn’t reach his ice blue eyes.
“I’m sorry, Jenna. I just don’t want to mess this up.
It’s obvious how much thought you put into planning this room, and I respect that.
I know how important it is to choose the right color.
My nephew has autism, and he’ll love this sensory room.
I can’t wait to bring him here when it’s finished. ”
That was nicer…maybe? Latching onto the hope that it was sincere and the doubt was just in my crazy head, I nodded. “Thank you. I hope he’ll love it. I’ll give you a color tomorrow.”
He looked back down at the desk again and smiled. “Okay, thank you, Jenna. I’ll see you later.”
I stood frozen to the spot long after he walked away. I sucked in a calming breath and saw that my hands on the desk were shaking. Was there any chance he missed that?
With my hands still shaking, I tapped out a text as quickly as I could.
Me: So much for a day off. Do you guys want to come here after work?
Nicky: What about a day off? And yes! I need to tell you what an ass Luca’s dad was. I’m so pissed
Me: Liam was called in to work. Dylan, too?
Juliette: Yeah, Chief Asshole called them in. I’ll come for a bit after work. Then I need to go home to change before Six Flags
Me: Six Flags???
Juliette: Crap. Was it a surprise? Did I just ruin it?
Me: LOL yes
Juliette: Dylan didn’t tell me that! I’m sorry!!
Me: No worries! Still fun without the surprise! Who’s going?
Nicky: Me
Juliette: And Ryan
Me: Fun! Nick, what happened with Luca?
Nicky: He got frustrated-my fault, but his dad screamed at him. Luca was terrified
Me: Poor kid. You guys will come here straight from work?
Juliette: Yep
Nicky: Yes
Me: Good, see you then
They’d be here in less than two hours, and they’d stay until Liam came back or until they drove me home.
It was alright. I was alright. And then we were going to Six Flags!
A fun night with Liam and my best friends was just what I needed.
So thoughtful of Liam, and a well-timed distraction from that unsettling interaction.
It pissed me off that Dan’s weirdness was threatening to ruin my mood for something that Liam so sweetly planned for me, but I had plenty of time to get over it before then.
By the time we went, I’d be fine, and it would be a great night!
Nicky could rant the whole time she was here, for all I cared.
Maybe it would keep everyone else away. Luca was her favorite kid to work with, but his dad was horrible.
It was so bad, that between his dad and the shady area she worked in, she checked in with us every day after work just so we’d know she made it safely back home.
She accused Juliette and I of overreacting, but I think it secretly made her feel safer.
I did a loop through the children’s section, avoiding the construction area, and when I found a family of four—a mom, dad, and two kids—doing puzzles near the picture books, I decided the picture books could use a little rearranging.
Putting new books out on display inspired reading.
Nothing wrong with doing that. Nothing to do with avoiding the bigger bookshelves that starred in my nightmare, or using this random unknowing family to hopefully keep Dan away.
His behavior was weird, right? I wished Izzy had been there to confirm or deny if my wild thoughts were reasonable. Or that one of the other workers had come to me instead. Matt, Alex, and Carlos were not nearly as intense as Dan.
After that family left, I organized the Lego bricks by color because there were two pairs of tutors and students in that area.