Chapter 7
Chapter
Seven
Ethan had never noticed how many people visited the library's circulation desk until they came not to check out a book but him.
"Beautiful day, isn't it?" A grad student with paint-stained hands leaned against the counter, grinning. "Almost as beautiful as?—"
"Your books are due in three weeks. Except for this one. This one needs to be back next Tuesday." Ethan pointed at the topmost book and then pushed the pile across the desk, careful not to let their fingers brush. He'd learned that lesson after the third person had tried to hold his hand while checking out their books.
"Next Tuesday." The student sighed dreamily. "I'll see you then?"
"The drop box is open twenty-four seven," Ethan mumbled.
Noah, re-shelving nearby, snorted.
This was ridiculous. Ethan had spent years perfecting the art of being invisible, and now he couldn't go five minutes without someone trying to start a conversation. His usual strategy of avoiding eye contact, hunching his shoulders and hiding behind the computer screen only seemed to make people find him more endearing.
"You're doing better," Noah said once the grad student finally left. "So many full sentences!"
"I hate everything about this."
"No, you don't." Noah straightened a row of freshly returned books. "You smiled at that history professor earlier. Actual eye contact and everything."
"He asked about my favorite romance tropes!"
"And you gave him a very detailed explanation on enemies-to-lovers versus rivals-to-lovers. Progress!"
Maybe Noah had a point. Ethan's hands hadn't shaken quite as badly during his last few interactions. He'd managed to recommend books without stumbling over his words. And it felt... nice, sometimes. Being seen. Being heard. Even if it was all because of demon magic.
And then he spotted a familiar figure in the corner of his eyes.
Ethan's heart stopped, then started again at double speed.
Kyle.
He wore his usual laptop bag, the one with all the literary quote pins. Today's sweater was a soft blue that made his eyes look warmer, more approachable. He moved through the lobby with easy confidence, nodding hello to a few regulars.
And he barely even glanced at Ethan.
Everyone else in the library seemed to gravitate toward the circulation desk, finding excuses to linger, to browse the new releases display, to ask Ethan questions they definitely could have googled. But Kyle walked right past, heading for the staff room like it was any other Tuesday.
Of course he did.
Kyle was different. Special. Too sophisticated to fall for some cheap demon trick. He probably saw right through Mal's magic, just like he saw through pretentious literary devices and derivative plotlines.
"Earth to Ethan." Noah waved a hand in front of his face. "You're doing the Kyle-staring thing again."
"I am not." But he totally was.
"You know what would be wild?" Noah's eyes gleamed with trouble. "If you actually talked to him."
"I talk to him!"
"Mumbling 'good morning' and then hiding in the stacks doesn't count."
Ethan opened his mouth to argue, then closed it again. He thought about all the conversations he'd managed today. About the history professor who'd listened, really listened, to his thoughts on romance tropes. About all the students who'd asked for his number.
If all those strangers could see something in him—even if it was just demon magic—maybe...
"I'm going to ask him out," Ethan heard himself say.
Noah stared at him. "What?"
"For coffee." Ethan's voice shook, but his resolve didn't. "To discuss The Nightless Sky ."
"Are you serious right now?"
"Yes?" Ethan wasn't sure who was more surprised by his answer, Noah or himself. "I mean, yes. I am. He liked the book, right? And I've read it. I can talk about it."
"You hated that book."
"I can still talk about it!"
Noah studied him for a long moment. "Look at you, all grown up and ready to lie about literature for love."
"I'm not lying. I'm..." Ethan searched for the right word. "Engaging in literary discourse."
"Right." Noah grinned. "Well, don't let me stop you. Go get your man."
Ethan stood. His legs felt steady. His hands weren't shaking.
Maybe this was what confidence felt like.
He walked toward the staff room, rehearsing his opening line. Simple. Casual. Hey, I couldn't help overhearing you talk about The Nightless Sky yesterday. Want to grab coffee and discuss it?
He could do this.
He was going to do this.
He pushed open the staff room door.
Kyle sat at the table, reading something on his laptop with fierce concentration.
God, he was so handsome like that, all focused.
How could Ethan dare to break that focus?
No, he had to.
"Hey," Ethan made himself say.
Kyle looked up, blinked like he was coming back from somewhere far away. "Oh. Hi."
"I couldn't help overhearing..." Ethan's carefully rehearsed words tangled in his throat. "Um. Yesterday. The book. You were talking about The Nightless Sky ?"
"Yes?" Kyle's expression shifted from distant to interested. "Have you read it?"
"I have!" Too eager. Dial it back. "I mean, yes. I have."
"What did you think of the metaphysical implications of the nested narrative structure?"
Ethan had thought the nested narrative structure was pretentious garbage, but he wasn't about to say that. "It was... fascinating. Would you maybe want to get coffee? Talk about it?"
The words tumbled out too fast, all running together, but they were out. He'd done it. He'd actually done it.
Kyle's eyes lit up. "I'd love to discuss it! None of my friends understand why it's such a masterpiece.
Because it isn't, Ethan's brain supplied helpfully. But Kyle was smiling at him. Actually smiling. At him.
"Great!" Ethan's voice only cracked a little. "This afternoon? After work?"
"Perfect. The café down the street?" Kyle was already turning back to his laptop. "I have so many thoughts about the author's use of meta-literary commentary as a reflection of post-modern society."
"Can't wait to hear them."
Ethan fled the break room before his courage could desert him entirely.
Noah was waiting by the circulation desk, practically vibrating with curiosity. "Well?"
"He said yes." The words didn't feel real. "We're getting coffee."
"Holy shit, you actually did it!" Noah punched his arm. "I'm so proud of you!" He grinned widely. "Did he seem… affected at all?"
"No, he just seemed normal."
Noah rubbed his chin. "I wonder why."
"Does it matter?" Ethan couldn’t get himself to care. He'd done it. He’d done the thing! Without magic. "You aren’t affected either," he reminded his friend.
"I doubt Kyle is like me."
Ethan shrugged.
Noah kept pondering, though. "You should talk to your demon and ask him if his magic being useless will get you out of that contract."
"Oh, yeah, I'll do that," Ethan said, but he was distracted.
He needed to take some notes on The Nightless Sky .