Chapter 13 - Sam

Standing on her toes, she tried pushing the book onto the self, it didn't happen.  Where was Bethany with her stepladder?  Sam shook her head; she didn't even have to think about the answer to her own question.  The girl was probably standing on top of it, declaring that she was Queen of the Library.  It sounded like something Bethany would do.

A sigh escaped her mouth as the book still did not slide into its spot.  Placing her foot on the bottom shelf, she glanced around to make sure no one was watching.  She used the bottom shelf to boost herself up a little.  It worked; the book slide into the correct place, but as it fell into place, she fell off her shelf.  It was a small fall, one that would leave her on her back, but wouldn't hurt her.  She never had the chance to feel the fall though as arms wrapped around her, keeping her from the ground.

"Thanks Max," she mumbled, not turning around to see her friend shake his head at her.

He set her on her feet before glancing down at them with an amused expression.  "What's with the shoes?"

Turning, Sam thrust her foot out, twisting it from side to side with a small smile on her face.  "I'll start small and work my way up to some real heels."

"Those are real, babe.  The heel is an inch more than what I would consider a real heel."

"Three inches are real heels," she said in a serious tone, her eyes narrowed at him.

He let out a laugh while placing a kiss to her cheek. "That was perfect.  You looked and sounded just like her."

Sam bent down, grabbing another book from her cart.  "Why are you here anyway?  I thought you had a job."

"They're not shooting today.  The rain got in the way," he mumbled, pulling a book from the shelf before placing it in the wrong spot.

Yanking it out of the place he put it, she slipped it back.  "That still does not tell me why you're here."

His eyes cut towards her.  "How long are the two of them going to follow you around?"

"I don't know what you mean," she said, a small laugh escaping her mouth.

"You do," he said in a flat voice before his own laughter left his mouth.  "When you left, they stood there looking lost.  Graham finally turned towards Scott and asked if he remembered where the library was.  It's horribly sad, Sam."

"They were joking," she defended, pushing Max out of her way.  She kept placing books in their spots while Max kept removing them behind her. 

"I don't think they were."

Glancing to her left, she smiled.  "They were.  You came off as big brother protecting me.  So, they'll do anything to throw you off your game. They may come off as immature sometimes, but they're smart Max.  You'll see."

"You've known them for a couple days at most, Sam.  You don't really know these men."

Hearing the worry in his voice, she set her books down before looking towards him.  Someone who didn't know him well wouldn't have been able to see the worry around his eyes, the strain lining his mouth, but she could see it.  Taking a step forward, she wrapped her arms around him.  "Nothing will happen to me, Max, because you'll be there."

He stayed frozen in front of her before letting out a sigh.  His arms wrapped around her, capturing her in a tight grip.  "I won't always be there, Sammy, and that's what I don't like to think about."

Her mouth stayed closed.  That was something she didn't like thinking about either.  She didn't want to believe her life could be without Max, but she also knew how quickly things could change.  Her arms tightened around him one last time before they let each other go.  Looking down at her, he pushed a piece of hair from her face.

"I'm going to go now.  You want to meet up for lunch?"

"No," she mumbled while shaking her head.  "I have work to do.  Missing Saturday wasn't a good idea."

A smile curled onto his lips, and the worry she had seen earlier diminished a little.  "Workaholic."

She poked him in the side.  "If you had work right now, you would be the same."

"True," he said, grabbing her hand to keep it from poking him again.  He pulled her into one last hug before letting her go.  "See you tonight," he said with a smile before walking away.

Shaking her head at his retreating back, she brought her attention to her work.  There were books that needed to be organized, and she needed to set up for a book club later today.  It may not have sounded like a lot of work, but missing one day had made her book returns double. 

"Miss C?"

"What is it, Jay?" she asked, looking over at the boy who fidgeted on his feet. 

He took a step towards her.  "That man that came with Max last night, he's here."

"Just him?" she asked, as Jay took another step in her direction. 

"Yeah," Jay mumbled, glancing behind him as if Scott was going to jump out of one of the shelves.  "He looks mad too."

"Why would he—"

"Sam, are you back there?"

Jay's eyes widened before he scrambled behind her.  He stood perfectly still as Scott rounded the corner.  Jay was right, the man did look a little mad, but why he was mad, Sam didn't have a clue. 

"Yeah," she answered, even though her location was now obvious.  "What do you want?"

"Ouch," he mumbled, clutching his heart in mock hurt.

She rolled her eyes at him, wanting to turn towards the books, but not wanting to give Jay's location away.  "I didn't mean it like that.  I just know you have work today.  So, there must be a reason why you came to the library."

He shrugged.  "You're right.  Do you remember my mother's party?"

"Yeah," she said, wincing when she remembered promising to go.

"It's tonight," he blurted, looking at her with hopeful eyes.

"You're kidding," she mumbled, turning to lean against the shelf.  A gasp echoed through the row, coming from Jay, who she had just let into eyes view.

Scott looked at the boy, his eyes narrowing before he shrugged.  "It was back at my house when I got home, and all my cash was still in my wallet.  No harm done."

The boy visibly relaxed, but as he realized that Sam now knew what had happened, he froze again.  His eyes turned towards her slowly.  "Sorry, Sam."

She shook her head at him.  "Don't tell me sorry.  It's not my car that you stole."

"No one would steal your car," Jay said, his chest puffing out in a little bit of pride.

"Jay," she chastised.

"Fine," he sighed.  "I'm sorry, Max's friend."

The boy took off running before she had a chance to say another word.  He paused at the corner of the bookshelf before snagging a book and walking calmly away.  As she looked back to Scott, she noticed the amusement in his eyes.

"He reads," she replied with a shrug.

"That's what I've been told," he said, a smile forming on his lips.  Abruptly, the smile dropped.  "Will you go to the party with me?  I know that you said yes simply to make me stand, but I really need your help.  You don't understand how my mother can be when I show up dateless."

"I'll go, Scott."

He must not have heard her, because he continued.  "I'll buy you a dress.  Women love that stuff, and jewelry, I can get you some of that too."

"Scott," she said, catching his attention.  "I don't need a dress or jewelry.  I have all that.  I'll go with you."

"Good," he said, reaching out to pull her into a hug.  "Thank you so much, Sam.  You honestly don't understand how much this means to me."  He pulled away from her, a large smile on his face.  "You're going to look even more amazing," he mumbled, before taking a step back.  "I'm sorry, but I got to run.  It's just my lunch break."

She nodded, waiting until he left before looking down at her clothes.  She had a dress, that was true, but it wasn't at her house.  The only dress she had at her home was this one, and it was nothing to brag about.  The black was a little faded, making it look just like a librarian dress in her mind. 

Letting out a sigh, she pulled her cellphone out of one of the little pockets on her dress.  Scrolling through the contacts, she stopped on the name before hitting the send button.  It rang and rang; finally, a groggy voice answered the line.  "Hello?"

"I need your help."