A librarians knockout love

Chapter Three

I felt my heart pounding in my chest as I raced down the stairs of my apartment building. My mind was a jumbled mess of thoughts as I mentally went over my schedule for the day. I had a meeting with a vendor in less than an hour, and I still had to finish a report that was due that afternoon, covering the weekly expenses.

As I stepped out, a cold breeze whipped around me, glancing down at my outfit realizing that I had forgotten my jacket on the coat hook by the door. I debated going back to get it but but my mind was already racing with the work I needed to complete. I shivered as I walked briskly down the street.

I tightened the scarf around my neck and quickened my pace, the soles of my shoes clacking against the pavement as I tried to keep warm. The street was deserted, and I felt like the only person braving the frigid air. I kept my head down, my breath forming small clouds in front of my face.

Every few seconds, I glanced up to make sure I wasn't going to bump into anyone. The thought of being jostled by someone else in my fragile state made my heart race. I hugged myself tightly, wishing I had brought a coat.

My stomach grumbled as I reached the library. I fished out the apple from my bag and took a bite, savoring the sweetness. But my hunger was still there, and I knew I wouldn't be able to concentrate on my work properly today.

I checked the time and groaned. I was already ten minutes late. I quickened my pace, and as I approached the entrance, my breath coming out in small puffs in the chilly morning air, the library has only been open for an hour or two.

As I stepped through the front doors, my heart was pounding with anxiety. I had overslept, and I knew I was going to be in trouble, I saw my coworker Lex, looking flustered and annoyed.

"Hey, Lex," I said, my voice hesitant and hushed, "I'm so sorry I'm late. I overslept and I-"

"You're late," she cut me off sharply. "I had to open up by myself this morning because of you. I had to deal with all the early morning rush by myself, while you were sleeping in."

"I'm sorry, Lex," I repeated, feeling a sense of shame and guilt wash over me even though I knew the morning was the most relaxed shift of the day.

"Well, sorry isn't going to cut it," Her tone was still sharp but growing quieter. "You need to be more responsible. The library isn't just about you, We all have to work together to make this work."

"I know, Lex," feeling the weight of her words on my shoulders. "I promise I'll make it up to you. I'll cover one of your shifts or help with your shelving today."

Lex sighed, her expression softening slightly. "Okay, fine. But you need to be more responsible in the future. We can't have this kind of thing happening again."

"I understand," I said, my voice firm. "It won't happen again, I promise."
Lex nodded, her expression still stern as always. "Okay." and with that, my rushed morning began.

I let the familiar smell of books and the quiet hum of activity calm my jittery nerves as I made my way to the reference desk, taking note of the stacks of books that needed to be reshelved and the computer that needed to be turned on.

But as the day wore on, I realized that the one thing that was missing was the mysterious stranger with dark, wavy hair and sparkling green eyes. I had been so caught up in the rush of the morning that I had forgotten all about him, and now it seemed as though he had never been there at all.

I couldn't help but feel disappointed. I had never been the type of person to believe in love at first sight or anything like that, but there was something about the way he looked at me that made me feel like we had a connection. And now he was gone.

I tried to focus on my work, but my mind kept wandering back to the mysterious man with dark wavy hair and green eyes. I found myself getting lost in thought, replaying the events of the day before over and over again in my mind. I couldn't help but wonder what his name was, where he was from, and what he did for a living. I couldn't believe how much he had intrigued me in such a short amount of time. It was as if he had cast a spell on me.

But I knew that I couldn't let myself get too caught up in the fantasy. I had work to do, books to organize, and patrons to assist. So, I took a deep breath and tried to push the thought of him out of my head, reminding myself that it was just a chance encounter, and that I was being silly for getting so caught up in it.

Checking my email, responding to a few messages and making notes about upcoming events at the library. I helped a few patrons find books on the shelves, and answered some reference questions, when I heard a familiar unwanted voice behind me. "Well, well, well, if it isn't my favorite librarian," said Cole, a regular patron who had become somewhat of an irritating fixture at the library, I felt his eyes burning holes into me, a feeling that made my skin crawl.

I turned to face him, flashing me a smile that made my stomach turn, his blue eyes sparkling mischievously, "Well, if it isn't the regular," straining a smile across my face. "What brings you to the library today?"

"Ah, you know, just looking for a good book and some good company," he said, winking his pearly blues at me.

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help but chuckle, unease creeping in, "Well, I can certainly help you with the book part. What are you in the mood for?" I tried to be polite, but he just wouldn't take the hint.

"Oh, something thrilling and romantic, with a dash of adventure," he said, leaning in closer to me, invading my personal space, getting a disgusting waff of booze, I couldn't help but lean back. "I think you might be asking for a bit too much there, but let me see what I can find."

I pranced off to the shelves for a few minutes, pulling out a few books that I thought might fit the bill. Cole looked them over, pretending to be deep in thought, "Hmm, I don't know. I was hoping for something with a bit more..." he said, attempting a wink again. I felt my discomfort growing.

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help but smile. "Sorry to disappoint, but if you want something more, I think you'll have to look somewhere else."

He grinned at me, taking one of the books I had pulled off the shelf. "Thanks for trying, anyway. Maybe next time."

I watched as he walked away, I couldn't shake off the feeling of his eyes on me, the feeling of unease that had settled in my stomach. Memories threatening to spill over the thick wall around them,

Letting my mind wander back to the stranger, distracting myself from earlier, I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing, a desire to see him again. I found myself daydreaming about him, wondering what his name was, what he did for a living, and if he was single.

But as the day turned to night and the library closed its doors once more, I knew that it was time to let go of the fantasy. Perhaps he had never really been there in the first place, or perhaps he had come and gone without me even noticing.

The city was quiet as I walked the streets towards my apartment. My mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of the man from the library, his piercing green eyes and the way he made my heart skip a beat with just one look. I knew I needed to focus on the present and not let my thoughts get carried away, but it was easier said than done.

As I unlocked my door and stepped inside, I couldn't help but feel a sense of loneliness wash over me. It had been a long time since I had felt a comfortable connection with someone, and the prospect of starting something new both thrilled and scared me. Was I ready for this?

I changed into my pajamas and crawled into bed, trying to clear my mind and drift off to sleep. But as the hours ticked by and the darkness enveloped me, I couldn't help but wonder if he was thinking about me too. Did he feel the same connection I did? Or was I just another fleeting thought in his mind?