6. Chapter Six
Chapter Six
Cody
On his next visit to Cornerstone, Cody decided to spend the afternoon checking out the specific businesses where he had Residents to meet.
Just off of Main Street was the Cornerstone Public Library.
It was a simple, one-story red brick building.
He had never been inside, having never visited with his Grandpa Sam.
Books were scarce and expensive in Velasarin, so he hadn’t done much reading during the past decade.
He had dabbled in reading pre-Velasarin, picking up books here and there.
He’d never really considered himself a big reader.
When he had free time, he used to play video games.
But after being stuck in a game world for a decade, and now stuck in another game world, that old hobby was much less appealing.
He walked through the sliding glass doors into the open concept library.
Unsurprisingly, there were several rows of metal shelving units packed with books.
They were on the short side, only about four feet tall, so it was easy to see the whole space.
One corner of the library was clearly dedicated to children’s books and activities, with a colorful mural of a cartoon-character bookworm covering the wall and bright blue and yellow child-size desks and chairs.
It was hard not to notice the two-tier circulation desk and the woman standing behind it, working on a computer.
She was wearing a fitted navy blue suit and had light brown skin.
Her long, black hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail and she looked like she was in her thirties.
Perfect! Knife said. She’s the one on your list.
Yes, she is. Librarian Lexi Rayes.
She is really working the sexy librarian thing, Knife said. You sure you’re all-in with the redhead?
I’m sure. But Cody could not deny that Knife was right; she really did have the hot librarian look down.
She was tall and slim and had the kind of perfectly symmetrical, angular features that could allow her a career as a supermodel.
When she looked over at him and smiled, he noticed she had rich, golden-colored eyes.
“Good morning,” she said. “Did you need help finding anything today?”
Cody nodded to her. “Thanks, but I’m just browsing for now.”
“Are you new to Cornerstone? Because I don’t believe we’ve met, and that means I haven’t set you up with a library card. And if you don’t have a library card, then I can’t let you borrow any books.”
“Right.” Cody made his way over to the circulation desk. “I used to come to Cornerstone in the summer to visit my grandfather, but now I’ve come back to stay.”
“By any chance, does that mean you’re Grandpa Sam’s grandson?”
“Yes, it does. I’ll be living at his place now.”
“I am sorry for your loss,” she said solemnly. “Grandpa Sam used to come here often. He will be missed.”
Cody was aware that his grandfather was well-known in Cornerstone, but it was still weird hearing someone he had never met before refer to him as Grandpa Sam.
Cody got the feeling Lexi wasn’t a native to the town.
There was something about her that looked too polished to be the kind of woman who grew up in middle-of-nowhere Ontario.
“How long have you been in Cornerstone?” Cody asked.
“It’s that obvious I'm not from around here?”
Cody shrugged. “A little.”
“I started this job two years ago. But it’s a great town. Good people. I’d like to stick around.”
“I’m Cody, by the way.” He offered her his hand and she shook it. “Cody Hampshire.”
“Lexi Rayes. Now, would you like to get set up with a library card?”
“Sure thing.”
After asking for his ID and phone number and typing his info into the computer, she presented him with a green and white Cornerstone Public Library card.
He thanked her and slipped it into his wallet, and then excused himself to go browse.
He brought up his Resident List to double-check if his little interaction had filled in a Friendship Level or not.
He hadn’t received a notification, and sure enough, all five of Lexi’s circles remained empty.
The tutorial had mentioned both gifts and fetch quests.
Doris’s first Friendship Level had been achieved after giving her a good tip.
He supposed that counted as a ‘gift’. He hoped he could continue giving Doris generous tips until she was at Full Friendship.
But he felt uncertain about giving gift-like items to everyone.
He was sincerely hoping most of them would require fetch quests, not gifts.
It was less socially awkward that way, especially when he had Doug Callahan on his list. He wasn’t keen on doing a fetch quest for Doug, but it would be better than the alternative.
Cody wandered through the rows of adult fiction.
He knew he’d prefer to read a novel over a non-fiction book, but it was hard to focus on the titles and the blurbs when he was still trying to puzzle out how to level up Lexi.
He felt there was a small chance that borrowing books from the librarian might do the trick.
It was certainly worth a try, since he was here and now officially had a library card.
He grabbed three paperbacks at random and was just turning to head back to the circulation desk when the sliding doors whooshed open, and in walked Morgan.
Even though she was wearing her simple Callahan Food Mart work polo and simple black shorts, she still looked breathtaking–especially when he wasn’t expecting to see her.
Morgan waved hello to Lexi, but immediately noticed Cody. She gave him a curious smile and made a beeline for him. “Hey. Didn’t expect to bump into you here.”
“Same.” Cody readjusted the books he was holding, trying to move them to a more comfortable position tucked under his arm.
“Picking up some summer reading material?” Morgan asked.
“Yeah, I guess.” Cody noticed her bottom lip was a bit red. He motioned to it. “Are you okay? After something bit you the other day?”
Morgan gingerly touched her lip. “It’s a little tender, but it’ll probably be all healed up in a day or two.”
Looking at her lips was distracting. They were so perfect. Not too thin, but not overly plump. Nicely shaped, with a touch of shine from her lip gloss. He wanted to kiss her so badly, but it was neither the time nor the place.
He tore his eyes away from her lips. “Good. That’s…good.”
Morgan tilted her head, clearly trying to read the spines of the books. “What did you pick out?”
“I…uh…I was having trouble deciding so I randomly grabbed some stuff.”
“Can I see?” She held out her hand expectantly, and Cody felt obliged to hand her the topmost book. “Oh! This one is spicy.”
“Spicy?” The book was navy blue and it had a cartoon man and woman on the front with the title Wonderfully Mr. Wrong. He hadn’t paid much attention to it, sure, but it certainly didn’t strike him as something that would be ‘spicy’. He was pretty sure ‘spicy’ meant it was a sexy times romance book.
Morgan flipped through the book. “This is like, one of the spiciest romance books I’ve read all year. Tell me when you get to chapter twenty-three.”
“What happens in chapter twenty-three?”
“You’ll see.” Morgan gave him a wink. It was so sexy and cute he thought his legs might give out.
He heard Knife chuckling.
Shut up, Cody said to Knife, and then quickly refocused on Morgan: “To be honest, I didn’t even realize it was a romance novel. Like I said, I felt overwhelmed by the selection and grabbed some stuff at random.”
Morgan laughed. “What made you want to stop by in the first place? I don’t remember you reading all that much.”
“I have a lot of time on my hands.” Cody shrugged. “Gotta fill it with something.”
Yeah, like her– Knife began.
Can you give me a minute? Cody cut in and, thankfully, Knife fell silent.
“What else do you have there?” Morgan asked.
Cody handed over the other books. They looked a bit more like thrillers than romance, with suburban houses at night and big vibrant fonts. “Haven’t read these ones. But have fun with the romance one. And if you like it, I can recommend some more that are similar.”
“Sure thing. Are you headed to work or are you done for the day?”
“Just about to start. I have an afternoon shift, but wanted to pop in before work.”
“Can I walk you to work?”
A tiny smile played on her lips, as if she was fighting it. “Yes. I would like that.”
Cody grinned back, unable to contain the sudden burst of happiness he was feeling.
It was like every time he talked to Morgan, it got a little bit easier.
She got a little bit warmer, as if she really was considering trying again.
If things kept up at this pace, he was sure they’d be dating again by the end of the summer. Or sooner. Preferably sooner.
“So, was there a specific book you were looking for or are you just browsing?” Cody asked.
“Specific book. I have a hold to pick up at the front desk.”
“Well, I think I’m headed there, too.”
They walked over to Lexi, where Morgan picked up the book that had been placed aside.
It looked a lot like the romance one he had, with a colorful cartoon cover.
Cody checked out his books and was disappointed when borrowing books from the library didn’t result in a Friendship Level with the librarian.
She did raise one of her perfectly manicured eyebrows as she scanned the romance novel, but she didn’t say anything.
Lexi slipped his books into a reusable canvas bag with ‘Cornerstone Public Library’ written on it in green lettering. “Here, free book bag–on the house.”
“Cool. Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“Morgan has one already, but she seems to forget it all the time,” Lexi teased.
Morgan rolled her eyes. “I was only picking up one paperback. I didn’t need to bring my bag.”
Cody observed their little exchange, noting that it looked like the two of them were friends. Morgan had always been a reader, so it made sense if she was buddies with the new librarian who was a woman close to her own age.
Lexi laughed. “Sure. Sure. You two have a good day. And don’t forget to bring your books back on time!”
Cody and Morgan assured Lexi that they would, and then headed back outside. It was so hot it was hard for Cody to believe this same town would be buried in snow a few months from now.
Morgan walked at Cody’s side, hugging her book to her chest with one arm, her other swaying at her side.
Her free hand was on the side closest to him.
He wanted to reach out, to clasp her hand in his, to walk hand-in-hand through town.
But he knew it was still too soon for that.
He reminded himself to be happy that she was even walking with him.
“So, what have you been up to since you’ve been back?” Morgan asked.
“Mostly wandering around town. Do you have plans for the summer?”
“Just working at the Food Mart. Summer is our busiest time, with all the seasonal folk renting cottages and camping, so it’s all hands on deck, all summer long. Exciting, I know. Boring old Cornerstone. All day, every day.”
“I’ve had enough excitement for a lifetime. I’m fine with boring.”
Careful now, Knife warned him. That’s the kind of shit that demands an explanation.
Sure enough, Morgan gave him a questioning look. “Really? What exactly have you been up to? Grandpa Sam told me you were working in an auto factory in Winbrook.”
Cody swallowed nervously, realizing he had tripped up. “Um…stories for another time.” He slowed his steps, coming to a stop two shops before Callahan’s Food Mart. He quickly changed the subject: “I think we part ways here, so I don’t get punched in the face by Doug?”
“Good plan. Enjoy your books, Cody.”
She gave him a kiss on the cheek, and then abruptly turned, practically jogging the rest of the way to the grocery store. Cody watched her go, admiring the view. Not even boring work shorts could hide her curves.
His hand went to his cheek, as if he was a ten-year-old schoolboy who just got his first cheek-kiss from the prettiest girl in the class. Warmth spread through him, from the cheek she kissed all the way to his toes. And he had to make a slight adjustment to his pants.
Yeah, okay, I definitely think she likes you now, Knife said.
I think she does, too.
Cody Hampshire Player Stats
Residents Met: 4/8
Friendship Moments: Doris: 1/5
Romance Moments: 0
Relationship Status: Single But Hopeful