“Hell, no. I’ll walk you. So, what’s it like working in the library? Is it as haunted as they say it is?” he asked.
Lilly laughed. “I don’t think it’s haunted.”
“No flying books?”
“No books flying. Unless the ghost likes to move them around the library.”
“Could be. If you ever want to investigate, I’m your guy.”
Lilly groaned. “I know I don’t have much of a life, but I don’t want to spend my time seeing if the place where I work is haunted. I would have to come here the next day. Way too scary for me.”
“I could quit my job. Be your personal bodyguard.”
“Now that could work, but then the town would totally hate me. You’re the best mechanic around. I know that, you know that. Let’s keep the town hatred to an all-time low.”
“I think you’re right. Besides, if it’s a woman ghost, how could they resist these?” He lifted his shirt and flexed.
For a second, maybe even a minute, Lilly struggled to think. She’d seen naked bodies her entire life. Coming in and out of her mother’s room all the time. Then of course on the television whenever she got to watch it.
Aunt Betty loved watching romantic movies with a lot of heavy sex in them. She’d never seen so much sex in her life. It helped her to watch it though. The stories she wrote were very erotic, a step into her own fantasies and allowing them to play out on the page. She’d never had sex. Never been kissed, not willingly anyway.
She hadn’t wanted the men who’d tried to kiss her, and she’d fought them. They didn’t matter and certainly didn’t count. She was a virgin, and at this rate would probably die one.
Her stories were her sexual outlet. The only place she felt comfortable to voice what she wanted and when.
“You’re right. It would be hard for any woman, living or haunting, to resist those. I’d put them away before the ghost decides you can’t leave.”
Caleb winked at her.
A young girl approached the desk and Caleb stepped away.
Lilly dealt with the last remaining customers, scanning books and leaving the returns on the trolley.
She closed up the library, and like with the bar, she posted the key through the letterbox. She was never allowed to open the library. One day, she hoped people would trust her. She’d moved out of her home and rarely saw her mother.
Normally, her mother only asked for money. There was never anything good between them.
She pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind. She didn’t even know why she was allowing herself to think of her mother.
Caleb offered her his arm and she took it, sliding hers through, linking them together. It felt good.
She pushed some hair off her face, and they made their way toward the diner. Like most Mondays, it was busy. She often passed it on the way to the store.
Caleb held the door for her first, and she stepped inside, nerves hitting her quickly. She had nothing to do with her mother’s affairs, but she was always judged because of it. He put a hand on her waist and led her toward the far table that only had two seats. It wasn’t private, and she was aware of all the stares.
After removing her coat, she placed it on the back of her chair. Caleb further surprised her by pushing her chair under the table.
“Thank you,” she said.
He took the seat opposite her.
Her back was to the room while he faced everyone.
She picked up the menu and perused the items.
Caleb reached out and put a hand on hers. “Ignore them.”
Lilly looked up. “You notice the glares.”
“So, they look at you like that. Ignore them.”
“Says like a man who doesn’t experience it.” She pressed her lips together.
“You think I don’t know what it’s like to be glared at? I know what women say about me, Lilly. Some of it is true. Not all of it. I play the role of a rebel and a heartbreaker. It’s the role they give me, and I’ve got no problem doing it. I like it, and if women throw themselves at me, I still get judged for it. I don’t sleep with every single woman who looks my way. I have standards.”
Lilly lowered her menu. “You’re saying you’ve never been with a married woman?”
“Not technically.”
Lilly smiled, feeling somewhat lighter.
“Don’t let them get to you,” Caleb said. “You have every right to be here. I want to be with you and enjoy dinner. Ignore the rest. This is your life as well.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” He winked at her, and she rolled her eyes. The waitress took forever to come to their table. Every time Caleb tried to talk to her, she’d avoid him. They’d been seated for a good twenty minutes before Caleb got up and went to the diner’s main kitchen. Seconds later, Joanne, the owner, came out.