Midnight Message

Chapter 20 - Cute

'Would you mind starting in the reference section this morning? The non-fiction returns have been piling up.' Jan asks.

'No worries.' Gemma answers, smiling at Jan. She picks up a stack of books and walks towards the non-fiction shelves in the Richmond Public Library. Gemma's mind wanders as she carefully re-shelves the books. She thinks about the events of the last 24 hours. Going to the Mt View hotel with Emily. Meeting Trent on the rooftop. Trent's seductive, teasing kiss. Trent's cocky 4am taunts over the phone. Trent, Trent, Trent, Trent, Trent. Why can't I get this arrogant prick out of my head? Argh.

An old man wearing thick, round glasses looks up from the book he is reading and gives Gemma a questioning look. Gemma realises she must have groaned out loud. She smiles sheepishly at the old man before returning her attention to the pile of books in her hands.

Pull yourself together Gemma. People might start to think you're crazy. Gemma chastens herself. She slots the last book in her pile into its place on the book shelf and returns to the front desk to retrieve another pile of books.

After her late night stroll and less than amicable chat with Trent, Gemma had slept in. She had been woken by the gentle prodding of Emily as the blond, bubbly girl left for her job at the pharmacy. Emily had poked her best friend and left her bedroom with the parting words 'I expect a full report of all the juicy details when we catch up at the café this afternoon.' Gemma just groaned in response and rolled over on the mattress on Emily's floor. She woke an hour later and made her way to the library in time for her usual 10am volunteering session.

'What's on your mind missy?' Jan's voice brings Gemma back to the present.

'Oh nothing.' Gemma responds dismissively. She picks up a pile of books and starts to walk away from the front desk.

'Not so fast!' Jan says.

Gemma stops walking and turns to face the librarian. Jan gives Gemma a playfully stern look.

'Don't try that on me Gemma. You've been daydreaming all morning. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were thinking about a special boy!' Jan nudges Gemma playfully with her elbow.

'What? No, of course not.' Gemma answers, a little too quickly.

'Well ok then.' Jan replies. 'If you don't want to talk about the handsome, chivalrous boy on your mind, that's your choice.'

Gemma feels herself blushing. Chivalrous? If only she knew. Trent Caldwell is the farthest thing from chivalrous. Gemma resists the urge to snort at Jan's misguided opinion of the boy on her mind.

'Speaking of handsome men.' Jan says. 'My husband asked me to pass on a message. He's considering a road trip to Ballarat this Thursday. He wants to watch the North Ballarat VFL team train. Apparently one of their players is on Richmond's must recruit list.'

Yeah. Trent Caldwell. And I can't imagine why. Surely there are better players that Richmond could recruit. Players that aren't arrogant, egotistical bad boys. Gemma thinks drily.

'He was wondering if you would like to join him. He said you two had a great time at the Richmond vs North Ballarat VFL game last Friday.' Jan continues.

The pile of books in Gemma's hands slip out of her grip and onto the library front desk. Drive to Ballarat to watch Trent play footy? The last time she'd been that close to Trent it hadn't ended so well. Why does this jerk have such an effect on me? Gemma feels butterflies enter her stomach. Shakily, she picks up the books she dropped.

Jan stares at her quizzically and raises her eye brows.

'Um' Gemma stammers. Get a hold of yourself girl. You have seriously got to stop freaking out every time Trent's name is mentioned. 'Tell Frank I'll think about it. I usually baby sit the Lawson twins on Thursday nights so I don't think I'll be free.'