Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
brIANNA
Between the lack of staff at the library and all the extra patrons coming in to grab and drop off their books before the new year, Brianna was exhausted.
It was always hectic this time of year with regulars coming to return their items for a fresh slate in the new year, and those deciding to come in early to get their library cards in preparation of new reading goals.
She was looking forward to New Year’s Eve, though. She hadn’t wanted to admit that her feelings were fully in crush territory for Audrey, but when she had offered to wait to reorganize her books so they could do it together, she realized she was a goner.
Thankfully, their plans were for the late afternoon, so they could stay up to ring in the New Year together. Audrey had said her parents usually host a few people, but she was usually free to go do her own thing if she wanted.
Though it was an innocent enough expression, Brianna’s heart had warmed when she heard Audrey wanted to hang out with her.
In her past relationships, and even her friendships, she had felt sometimes that people put up with her because they had to.
With Audrey, Brianna liked that she seemed to want to spend time with her.
It wasn’t hard to spend time dissecting their past conversations when it was the only thing on Brianna’s mind.
She was in deep cleaning mode, wanting to make sure everything was spotless for Audrey.
It wasn’t even for Audrey, if she thought about it.
It was for herself, because if she didn’t clean to her own personal standards, she would spend the whole day fixated on how she should have done more.
After giving the kitchen counters one more swipe, Brianna stood back to look at her progress.
Yes, technically, the boxes of books lining the far wall weren’t considered clean, but the rest of the apartment was.
Besides, those boxes would all be opened and torn down today.
Brianna couldn’t wait; she was itching to be reunited with her physical book collection.
While she’d been making great use of her regular library access and her ebook collection, she was looking forward to getting through some of the books on her shelves.
Her phone alarm went off, distracting her. She had to take a shower now, or her hair wouldn’t dry in time for Audrey’s arrival in two hours. Afterwards, she lay on the couch and tried to distract herself with a TV comedy until her next alarm went off to remind her to get ready.
She wanted to put on makeup, but she decided against it, figuring it would all be gone by the time they finished unpacking. Now dressed, she sat nervously on the couch again.
“You got this, Bri. You can do it. It’s just unpacking your books. Nothing else.”
The motivational pep talk didn’t work, but she had no time to panic as her phone rang with the buzzer, exactly two minutes before she had expected Audrey.
She punched in the code to let the door unlock and went to the kitchen, standing close enough to the door that she could grab it quickly without seeming like she was waiting right at the door. At the knock, she opened it to find Audrey waiting outside.
It had only been a few days since they’d seen each other in-person, and Brianna swore Audrey had somehow gotten prettier, if it was possible.
“Welcome to my little abode,” Brianna said, opening the door wide with a cheesy gesture.
“Thank you,” Audrey said. She immediately began taking off her winter boots on the black mat, which Brianna was grateful for.
“I’ll take your jacket,” Brianna said and proceeded to hang it up in the coat closet.
With the unpleasant winter necessities out of the way, Brianna wasn’t sure how to act.
She couldn’t just stand there staring at Audrey, but seeing as the other woman was just doing the same to her, she didn’t feel particularly hurried.
Should she give her a hug? She really wanted to, but it would be weird to hug someone after they had entered your home, not immediately at the door.
“Want to give me the tour?” Audrey eventually asked.
“Yes.”
Brianna led the small distance further into the apartment, gesturing to the kitchen and then the living room, where only a couch and TV were fully furnished.
The shelves around the TV and to the right of it were bare, with a wall full of boxes obstructing the balcony door to the right; not that she had a need to use the balcony in the winter, nor was the view something to really marvel at, just a parking lot overlooking a grocery store.
“This is it,” Brianna said, trying not to feel embarrassed at how small the place was. She didn’t need more than what was in this tiny place, but somehow, it seemed so small and meek in comparison to the fancy houses around Beaver Creek.
“No bedroom?” Audrey asked.
“It’s behind that door on the right side.” Brianna pointed to it.
Why was thinking about Audrey seeing her bedroom so much more vulnerable than she expected? Brianna needed to get a grip before she really embarrassed herself.
“Nice. It’s a perfect size. Very homey without feeling too small,” Audrey said. “I presume these are the books we need to organize?” Audrey had walked over to the tall stack of small cardboard boxes, grabbing the first one. She dropped it to the floor, clearly eager to open it.
“Scissors?” she asked, glancing up at Brianna, who had just followed her listlessly.
“Right, that would be helpful.”
Brianna fled to the kitchen—not that it was that far away—to find the pair of scissors she kept there. She needed to focus. They had a mission to do today.
Brianna couldn’t help but think that maybe she shouldn’t’ve invited Audrey over, or maybe to somewhere else, somewhere more sexy, proper date like.
Unpacking books was something you did with your friends, not people you were hoping to romance. God, no wonder she was still single. She thought it could possibly be romantic to have someone help her unpack.
Realizing she was stalling, Brianna headed back to the boxes and passed Audrey the scissors.
“Would you like a glass of water?” she asked. She was finally remembering how to be a good host.
“Sure,” Audrey said as she ripped into the box.
While Brianna filled a cup of water from her filter, she could hear Audrey oooh-ing and aah-ing at the books.
Brianna returned and placed the cup of water on the TV stand, not wanting to place it on the shelves that would presumably be filled with books soon.
“I’ve never seen these editions. Are they special?” Audrey was holding a set of one of Brianna’s favourite fantasy series. She didn’t read the genre often, but she had a few select favourites she couldn’t resist acquiring in a fancy version.
“Yes. Isn’t it gorgeous?” Brianna said, sitting next to Audrey on the woman’s right. “Look, there’s character art on the inside.”
Brianna reached over and opened the front cover of the book, exposing the detailed illustrations inside.
“Pretty,” Audrey said. Brianna glanced up from the book and met Audrey’s eye.
“Yes, very,” she agreed. She wasn’t entirely sure she was talking about only the book.
“So, what method of organization are you thinking?” Audrey asked. She gestured to the pile of books on her left, away from Brianna.
“I was thinking by author last name, maybe by genre first? I know people like organizing their books by aesthetic or colour, but that’s too messy for me. I like to know where my books are when I need them.”
“That makes sense. Should we do separate piles for each genre while we unpack?”
“Sure. Good idea.”
“Maybe I should put on some music first? I don’t really have a fancy speaker, but I can play some music through the TV?” Brianna realized that unpacking in silence may get more awkward than she’d like.
“Okay, whatever works for you. I’m not picky. I’m just glad to help.” Audrey stood and began to stretch her arms a bit.
“Are you sure? I realize this may not be the most ideal way to spend your New Year’s Eve. I’m sorry; I should’ve thought of something more fun for us to do. You likely don’t want to be doing this right now. Ugh—” Brianna stopped herself before she spiralled further.
Audrey stopped stretching and stepped closer to Brianna, placing a comforting hand on her arm. “It’s okay. I said yes to being here. I want to be here, with you. I don’t have anything better to do, and even if I did, I would still choose to be here.”
Brianna had no clue what she did to deserve this kind, warm woman, but she wasn’t about to start questioning the universe when Audrey was standing this close to her, that look in her eyes that made Brianna want to kiss her. She had to fight down that instinct.
“Thank you. I appreciate it,” Brianna said meekly instead.
The moment passed, and Audrey turned back to the boxes of books, opening the next one.
“Let’s put some Quixotic on?” Audrey asked.
“You got it.”
Not only did they seem to have the same taste in books, but it seemed they had the same taste in music, which only confirmed Brianna’s growing belief that this, whatever it was, wasn’t too bad.