An Angel Amongst Devils (An enemies to lovers, slow burn romance)

Chapter 11

  "Oh, wait, can we stop here quickly? Sorry, I forgot. I want to talk to a friend, just so- you know when I leave, she doesn't think I am dead." Saying goodbye to Larue, completely slipped my mind, luckily we passed the library on the way to wherever we were going, it jogged my memory.

"I thought you didn't have any friends." Arlo says.

"Ouch."

"Your words, not mine."

I shake my head. "I don't know, I guess she could be called a friend, but it's not like usual friendships where you have to rely on each other, or stress over each other's problems. She's the library owner and so we just talk about books the whole time. Apart from that, I have no idea if she's even married or not, if she has kids. I don't know anything. That's the good thing. But I missed my catchup last night, it completely slipped my mind. I doubt that she would care, but I may as well let her know."

"If you say so." He parks the car in front of the library. I step out of the car and so does Arlo. "What's her name?"

I'm shocked that he's actually taking any interest in what I am saying.

"Larue, wait, You're coming?"

"I want to meet this friend of yours."

"Did I not just say that she wasn't a friend?"

"You share a mutual interest in books, you enjoy her company. In my world, that's a friend."

"Fine. But please don't speak, she can be a bit awkward at times. I don't want your testosterone scaring my only... friend away."

He places a hand over his heart.

"You wound me angel." He furrowed his eyebrows mockingly. I let out a huff, almost a laugh.

"Let's go, Arlo." I say, "Hey, that rhymes."

"I love the way your brain works."

"Is that a compliment?"

"The biggest compliment."

"Well, thank you."

---

"Larue?" I can recognise her small petite frame from a mile away. Her orangy brown hair, with streaks of gray slowly eating away at her hair.

She turns around, recognising my voice. She mustn't be that shocked to see me though, I usually come here often, at random times.

"Hello deary," Larue turns around and gives me a tight hug. She may be tiny and look as frail as a worm, but that woman has strength in her. "I missed you last night, I was starting to worry, are you okay? I didn't see you."

"Yes, I'm sorry It completely slipped my mind."

"That's quite alright deary, and who is this young man?" Larue looks over at Arlo, rephrasing that, looks up at Arlo. I could almost laugh at the size difference, Arlos' tall and muscular build, in contrast to tiny, little Laurue. It's sweet to look at though.

"This is Arlo, Arlo, this is Larue." I say.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Larue." Arlo says. I'm shocked by his politeness. He holds out a hand and Larue shakes it. Another image to look at. Arlos' firm, olive hand and Larue's pale, wrinkly one.

"Oh, you're such a handsome young man Arlo. Isn't he just, Emma?"

"Uh..."

"Oh dear me, no need to be all bashful now Emma. I may be old, but I still have taste. I recognise a dashing young man when I see him. He is your boyfriend. I take it?"