“I just need to return some books Alexa checked out under my name,” I told her as Book-man carefully placed the stack on the heavy wooden desk.
Darcie hit what must have been the save button and looked up, smiling as she recognized me. “Hi, Lena. How's your day going?”
“She won her big case,” Book-man supplied when I hesitated. I felt my cheeks go bright red. Darcie was my best friend and would know that I had kind-of lied.
“You did, did you?” she asked innocently, looking at Book-man and then back at me with skeptical cornflower blue eyes. The corners of her mouth were twitching in an obvious attempt to keep from smiling. She was going to give me hell about this later. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks Darcie,” I replied, glad that she was going along with it in front of Book-man. She was a good friend. I pointed to the books. “I need to return these for Alexa.”
Book-man looked back and forth between the two of us for a moment, evaluating if he wanted to stay in the conversation, and then stepped back from the desk and pretended to look at the books lining the walls. I knew he could still hear every word, but I appreciated the gesture of giving us space. Darcie winked at me as she picked up the first book and scanned it into the computer.
“It says they're checked out to you, not Alexa.” Darcie frowned at the computer and double-checked the title of the book. Her voice grew cold. “This book isn't supposed to leave the library. I've been searching for it for two days.”
“That's how you know it wasn't me. She must have checked them out under my ID number after hours.” There were three things that Darcie Erickson loved: her husband, good food, and her books. I knew she and her husband were trying to add another little someone to that list, but it hadn't happened yet. Their lack of success seemed to only fuel her mothering tendencies toward her beloved books.
Darcie's mouth tightened into a thin line as she checked the rest of the books back in. The two of us had become friends the moment I had walked into the firm. She knew more about law and research than anyone I had ever met. I would often bring my work upstairs and sit at one of the research desks, feeling as if I could win any legal case given to me if I spent enough time with those books and Darcie.
“Alexa thinks she entitled to the damn world,” Darcie mumbled as she checked in another book. I was glad she knew I would have never taken those books because she had murder in her eyes. She got along with Alexa about as well as I did. “I guess I should just be happy she even bothered to check them out at all this time. I'm going to change your account number so she can't do it again.”
“Thanks, Darcie. I appreciate it,” I said, feeling a little better. I wished Alexa would get in trouble for this, but even if Darcie reported it, it would end up being my word against Alexa's. Since Alexa was an attorney and I wasn't, she would win every time.
“Thank you for bringing them back,” Darcie replied, putting the last book on her re-shelf pile. She patted the top one like a good child before leaning back in her chair to take a better look at Book-man. He was still looking politely at a shelf of books, but we had an excellent view of his very muscular backside. She mouthed the word, “Nice!” before speaking aloud. “All done. You have a great evening, Lena. And congratulations on your big case.”
I stuck my tongue out at her before Book-man turned around. She gave me a wide, cheeky grin in return. I knew in about thirty minutes she'd be texting me to see if she could get the scoop on why a cute guy was carrying my books to the library.
“Bye, Darcie,” I said, glaring at her as I moved away from the desk.
“It was nice to meet you,” Book-man added, holding the door open for me to walk out.
“You too!” came Darcie's reply just before the door shut behind us. The hallway was mostly empty, as anyone who was staying late was holed up in their offices.
“Thank you again. You really didn't have to carry the books,” I told him once the door was officially shut. I could see Darcie inside, pretending to look at her computer but really just watching the two of us and grinning at me like a Cheshire cat.
“It was my pleasure,” he replied warmly. “My name's Aiden, by the way.” He extended his hand out to me for a handshake, which I took with a smile.
“I'm Lena.” His grasp was firm and strong, and I didn't want to let go. Just touching his skin made the butterflies in my stomach start mamboing. I hoped I wasn't blushing too badly. If I kept this up, I knew I was just going to embarrass myself. I forced myself to let go of his hand and turn to start walking.
“So, what are you doing for dinner?” he asked, matching his steps to my slow ones.
“What do you mean?” I asked, a little confused. My mind was still on how Alexa could have gotten my ID number to check out the books, not on what I was going to eat in a few hours.
“Since your dinner plans were canceled, what are you doing for dinner?” He smiled at me, his eyes following me like I was made of light. I loved the way he looked at me.
“I actually don't know yet.” I tucked the loose strand of hair behind my ear again. “Probably just eat the granola bar in my desk or something.”
“A granola bar?” Aiden made a displeased face, as though I had said I was eating a cardboard box. “Not even pizza?”
“There's only so much pizza a girl can eat. I don't think I've had an actual meal that wasn't pizza or some sort of take out in well over a week. A granola bar actually sounds better than pizza right now,” I explained. I could see the main lobby for the firm and tried to slow my steps even further without being too obvious. Talking with Aiden had been the best part of my day.
“They keep you that busy?” He raised his perfectly groomed eyebrows in appreciation. “You must be one of their best attorneys.”
I smiled and looked down at my shoeless feet without correcting him. He thought I was a lawyer. I certainly was dressed like one today, he had found me in an attorney's office, and I had told him I had won a case. I didn't want to tell him that I wasn't actually a lawyer. I would probably never see him again, and it was nice to feel important for once. He saw me as someone significant, and after the way my day had gone, it felt good to be appreciated.
“Not really. I'm pretty low level.” It wasn't a lie. I just wasn't correcting him. “I'm working my way up and that means long hours.”
He turned and looked me over, appraising what he saw. “I have a feeling you won't be low level for long.”
“Thank you,” I said, feeling proud of myself for the first time all day. I grinned up shyly at him. He looked at me like he saw something worthwhile. I wanted this moment to last forever.