The Librarian Principle (29 page)

“If he really likes you, he’ll call,” he assured her.

“Uh, no, he won’t, and it’s all your fault. You’d better buy me pizza for dinner to make it up to me, and take me shopping for new shoes. Mom refused to let me get the ones I want. She said they weren’t feminine enough.” Tiffany grabbed the keys from him and stomped across the library, pausing before she pushed the door open. “Bye, Ms. Harper. Thanks for letting me hang out this afternoon. And you—” She pointed at Blake. “Thanks for the warning. I’ll meet you in the car, RJ.” With that she disappeared down the hallway, sticking her tongue out at Ryder as she passed the windows.

“Well, this should be a fun weekend.” Ryder sighed. “Thank you for watching the library while Liese was indisposed,” he told Blake. And while his posture was stiff, he sounded sincere.

“No problem,” Blake replied, his hands clasped behind his back.

“Okay, well . . . have a lovely weekend.” Ryder hesitated at the door, his eyes lingering on Liese before he followed his sister down the hall.

So much had happened in this whirlwind of a day that Liese could barely get her head around it all. Meanwhile, Marissa eyed Blake, who was busy shutting down the computer. Liese knew the look on Marissa’s face; it meant she was sizing him up—otherwise known as “mentally undressing him and determining his penis size” in Marissa’s world. Liese suppressed a cringe. The minute they were alone Marissa would give her unsolicited opinion on his assets and drawbacks, just as she would for Ryder.

“Blake, this is my friend Marissa. Marissa, this is Blake, our drama teacher.”

“Ooooh, hey,” Marissa drew out the words as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. “It’s nice to meet you. I think Liese might have mentioned you before.”

“Oh?” Blake rubbed his palm on his pant leg and smiled. “I hope it was only positive.”

“Definitely positive,” Marissa nodded slowly.

“Well, that’s . . . positive.”

“Did you still want to go to the bar?” Liese directed the question at Blake, feeling absurdly awkward.

“Yes!” Blake and Marissa responded in unison. They looked at each other and then away.

“Great.” Liese clapped her hands together, startling them into action.

She grabbed her purse and closed up the library. They accompanied Blake to the drama studio to retrieve his jacket, and he used the opportunity to show Marissa the set of the play that would open the following week, pointing out all the pieces Liese had worked on. Marissa ooh’ed and ahh’ed over it, asking lots of questions, as was her personality. It took another twenty minutes before they finally left the building. Concerned Sean might be lurking outside the school, Blake and Marissa flanked Liese as they crossed the parking lot. If he was around, he went undetected.

Blake suggested they drop off Liese and Marissa’s cars and allow him to drive. Marissa was enthusiastic about the idea, which meant she wanted to tie one on. So they drove separately to Liese’s and then piled into Blake’s car to meet up with the rest of their colleagues.

Marissa fit in seamlessly, striking up easy conversation with the group. Liese felt relief in being able to merge these two facets of her life, particularly since she still worried about how she would manage this with Ryder in the future. Even if things did work out between them, it wasn’t as though she could bring him out for a drink with her work friends.

Embarrassingly, everyone seemed to know about Sean showing up at work. The story had mutated in to a ridiculous rumor that Sean was her ex-husband and had come to the school to confront Blake. Both Liese and Blake were quick to correct this. Liese didn’t like how easily her colleagues had believed the initial story, or the curious glances she received when she shut the conversation down.

The buzz of her phone served as a diversion, and she checked her messages. Ryder had sent a text.

Liese nearly choked on her beer.

The next text came more quickly, with the dictionary definition of restrained sent as a link.

Liese smiled.

The next message made her wish she could drive to his house to make it happen.

Liese checked to make sure no one was paying attention to her before texting

After drinks, Blake drove her and Marissa home. He walked them to the door, checking the perimeter of the house even though they’d passed a cop car parked under a streetlight just down the street. It made Liese feel safer knowing people were watching out for her. Sean would have to keep his distance.

Blake said an awkward goodbye before he left. He’d been gone less than thirty seconds when Marissa started in.

“You didn’t tell me Blake was hot,” she accused as she flopped down on the couch.

“He’s all right. I mean, yeah, he’s a good-looking guy; he’s just not my type. Ryder on the other hand . . .”

“Is. I get it. But still, it would have been easier to date your sexy colleague than your boss.”

Liese sighed and sunk into the cushions. “Blake is a great friend, but he doesn’t do it for me.”

“Because he’s not into spanking and black latex?”

“Oh my God! Would you seriously stop?” Liese smacked her on the leg, mortified. Mostly because the comment rang more true than she wanted to admit.

“What? There’s nothing wrong with a little kink. And don’t even try to deny it. That man is so reserved and in control, there’s no way he’s not bringing it in the bedroom.”

“I don’t even want to know how you know that.”

“Ha!” Marissa’s eyes lit up, and Liese knew she’d been duped into divulging. “You’re such a deviant!”

“You’re the one who made all the photoshopped porn,” Liese pointed out.

“Only because you kept thanking me for it.”

“Can we please change the subject?”

“Sure,” Marissa placated. “So, what kind of heat is Ride-me packing?”

“Why do you always insist on referring to men’s junk as a firearm?”

Marissa gave her a hurt look. “I do not.”

“Actually, you do. And I’m not telling you about
Ryder
’s package, because you don’t need any more ammunition where he’s involved.”

“Now who’s using gun references?”

“You’re impossible.”

“I know. But you love me anyway.” Marissa nudged her shoulder.

“As much as you love me.”

“But just like a sister, so don’t get any ideas.”

Liese snorted. “I’ll try to control myself.”

At three in the morning Liese’s phone buzzed, pulling her out of a dream she didn’t want to leave. She scrambled for her cell, punching buttons until the screen lit up. She grunted into the receiver only to be met with silence.

“Hello?” She blinked groggily and pulled the phone away from her ear to check the number. It read unknown. She listened intently, trying to pick up a sound, something to indicate someone on the other end of the line, but nothing registered.