Gary Abernathy was exhausted.
What should have been an easy, amicable divorce had turned into a two year war. How was it possible to give someone everything they wanted and the person still wanted more?
Greedy. Selfish. Self-absorbed. Those words described Jill Abernathy to a T. As an eighteen-year-old private, he’d loved her. As a twenty-four-year-old staff sergeant, he’d adored her. As a thirty-year-old honorably discharged army veteran, he’d hated her guts.
At age thirty-six, after finding her in bed with two of his buddies, he’d decided to call it quits. Eighteen years of marriage and staying together for the sake of the family be damned.
Today, he would celebrate. His divorce was finally final. Hallelujah!
Gary reined in his excitement and looked over at his coworker. Peggy Evon Williams.
She’s the most bubbly person I’ve ever met.
Fun. Gregarious. Clever. And totally oblivious to the heart eyes I’ve been trying not to throw her for the past two years.
Because you’re married.
I was married. Past tense. Not anymore.
“Peggy, I need you.”
Peggy slowly turned toward the rough, gravelly voice directly behind her. She pasted on her best, good girl smile.
Did you just say what I think you said? ‘Cause baby, I can give you everything you need.
She tamped down the riotous thoughts that always went through her head whenever he spoke.
“Yes, Gary,” she said sweetly, “what can I help you with?”
Oh god, he’s staring again. It’s that intense thing he does. Like he’s dissecting every word that comes out my mouth. Waiting for me to trip up, or fall over him. Like I did the first day we met.
Should I ask him if he wants me to strip right here? That should shock him.
Keep your clothes on, girl. The man’s married.
Divorced. As of today. He showed me the papers.
It doesn’t matter. I’m the last person he’d be asking to strip.
I’m just the coworker he stares at and barely talks to.
“Could you pass me the books on the bottom shelf of the cart?” He was formal, and polite, as always.
She glanced over her shoulder at the rolling book cart. “Of course.”
Peggy sighed as she bent over to grab the sci-fi books off the bottom shelf. He’s looking at the books. Not your booty. This is a library after all.
Gary turned his eyes away from the soft curves that plagued him five to six days a week. Sometimes, he worked extra hours just because she was on the schedule. In addition to the unexpected bonus of an alluring colleague, he loved working at the library. Berryhill, Virginia had been the perfect place for him and his daughter to start over after he’d filed for divorce.
He’d expected to love working around books all day. He hadn’t expected to be a tongue-tied, uptight, not-quite-divorced man lusting after his coworker.
He recited the ethos that had been drilled into him for over a decade.
Loyalty. Duty. Respect. Selfless service. Honor. Integrity. Personal courage.
Don’t fraternize. Don’t cheat. Do your duty. Do what’s right.
He’d always been faithful to his ex. Even after he’d removed his wedding ring, he’d kept his pants zipped. Look but don’t touch. He peeked over as Peggy bent down to grab another handful of books. I really want to touch.
“My divorce is final today.”
“Yes, I know. You mentioned it this morning. We’re all very happy for you.”
You’re the first person I told. “Hailey’s staying with friends tonight.”
At the mention of his daughter, Peggy’s face lit up. “So you’ll have the house to yourself on your big night? You should do something fun.”
“Would you like to do it with me?” Oh damn. That didn’t come out right. “To me. I mean, would you like to do something with me?”
He turned and started shelving books as fast as he could. After he mixed up a few call numbers, he switched to a more methodical pace.
She watched him work his way down the aisle, shelving books as if he hadn’t just dropped a grenade and left it to detonate at her feet.
Is he asking me out? Is he suggesting what I think he’s suggesting? Only one way to find out.
“What do you have in mind?” she asked.
“Dinner and a movie?”
“Sure.”
“At my place.”
