Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
RAVEN
S hoving the book on the shelf a little more forcefully than necessary, I end up knocking a couple off the opposite end.
The book did nothing wrong. I need to calm down.
But Kaitlyn’s words are replaying through my head over and over while I finish my shift at the library, and it’s making me ready to go off on her all over again.
Picking up the books that have become a victim of my temper, I try to nicely place them on the shelf.
“What I say goes. What I want, I get.”
Another slam and another thump on the ground.
“Woah. What did those books ever do to you?”
My head turns in the direction of the teasing comment, finding the man who is still one big mystery to me. The cowboy. He’s wearing his easy smile and typical southern getup. Boots, jeans, and a flannel.
Jed is a handsome man, but I’m starting to realize that my type leans more toward a specific pair of twins.
Is it wrong to want both brothers?
Sighing, I crouch down to pick up my mess again. “Nothing. I shouldn’t be taking out my frustrations on the works of…” I flip one of the books over to get a look at the cover. “Lo Gold.”
Jed crouches down with me, gathering up books. “Everything okay?”
“Just fine. Nothing to stress about.” We stand together, and he hands me the books to return to the shelf.
“Are you sure?” Jed asks with a tight expression.
My raised brows are all he needs to give up on his line of questioning. He twists his lips to the side like he’s mulling something over.
“Do you need help finding a book or something?” I watch as he shoves his hands in his denim pockets.
“No, I’m good.” His lips press into a thin line.
“You keep showing up here without checking out some books, and Florence might ban you,” I tease.
The rigidity in his body releases. “I’m sure she’ll forgive me.” His half-smile makes me feel like I’m having deja vu, but I can’t pinpoint why.
“Actually…I came to find you,” Jed reveals, rocking from his heels to his toes and back again.
“Okay…” I trail off as I finish shelving the abused books.
Some of that tension creeps back. “Do you want to go to dinner on Friday?”
“Oh.” My hand covers my mouth.
It feels like hours before I can even formulate a thought, and all I can think is that I would have preferred a different man to ask me.
Or rather, two different men. But it’s not like we gave each other promise rings or something.
We’ve only shared a kiss. They were both very intense kisses, but that’s beside the point.
I don’t owe them anything, and they don’t owe me.
So, I shouldn’t feel guilty about being asked out by another man.
“I have to work on Friday,” I tell him.
“Oh, okay. That’s alright.” He nods his head and starts to turn.
I reach for his shoulder before he can turn away fully. “But I’m free tomorrow night,” I blurt out.
Jed’s eyes practically sparkle, spinning back to me. “Tomorrow night? Yeah! I mean…” He clears his throat. “Yeah, tomorrow night works.”
I hold in the chuckle that wants to burst free at his attempt to look cool. “Great.”
“I’ll pick you up at six,” he informs me.
“Okay,” I agree and give him my address.
I’m ready for this—putting myself out there. I need it. This is part of moving on and leaving what happened in New York back in New York. A date doesn’t mean we have to get married. It’s just a free meal and hopefully some good stimulating conversation.
God, I hope this isn’t a horrible first date.