Page 17 of The Librarian’s Familiar

The library hadn’t been the kind of place he’d hung out growing up. “And you actually want people to come in?”

“Yes. I’m a librarian first and a Coven representative second,” he said, but there was that small catch in his voice.

His grandmother had always said to listen to the warning in his gut. To pay attention to more than just the words and use all his senses. Charlie’s scent was distracting, warm but with the bite of chili, and a little burned sugar on top. His pulse mirrored August’s, but he didn’t smell of fear.

Charlie pointed at a chair behind the counter, and this time, August took the invitation even though he probably shouldn’t be behind the counter. “You might as well sit and enjoy your coffee and cookies.”

Charlie reached for his muffin and broke off a piece, popping it in his mouth. His gaze was on the computer as he logged in and opened programs.

August turned the chair, so Charlie wasn’t in his oversized blind spot, and took a stab at the ice between them. “You looked me up, didn’t you?”

“Of course I did. Not in the Coven database, only online. That was enough.”

“Enough for you to…” Become cold? Push me away? He didn’t know what kind of answer he wanted. He shouldn’t have given Charlie his full name. Not that it would’ve mattered, as Charlie could’ve made a few educated guesses or looked him up in the database. “To make assumptions?”

That felt safe. People learned who he was and always got a few wrong ideas about him.

Charlie spun on his chair and faced him. “I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know if this is some rivalry with the foxes. But I’m not going to be caught in the middle of a very old rivalry.”

“It’s not.” Maybe a tiny bit, but Sinclair didn’t seem to care.

Charlie considered him for several seconds, head tilted as if trying to read his mind. “Hmm…that leaves one other option.”

“What’s that?” If Charlie had the answers, August was happy to hear them.

“That you’ve decided to come out of the closet.”

August’s eyes widened.

“That you saw me and Sinclair and figured I was a safe bet. The answer is still no. But I am enjoying the coffee, so thank you.” This time, the thank you came with a genuine smile. Charlie lifted his cup and took a drink.

“I’m not coming out of the closet.”

Charlie rolled his eyes. “That’s even worse.”

“How is that worse?”

“Because I’m not hiding another part of me.”

“What else are you hiding?” August leaned forward, wanting to learn more.

“That I’m a witch. You must have some understanding of how hard it is to be paranormal in the human world. This place is different. I like it.”

August snorted. “Are you thinking of moving here permanently?”

“Too early to tell, I’m not sure I’ll survive the winter since I don’t have a fur coat.”

“I’m sure there are plenty of shifters who would be happy to share theirs.” Not him. He was not hooking up with anyone in Claw Lake; the gossip would spread before he’d pulled his pants down.

“Maybe, but it was probably a mistake to fall against the wall with Sinclair.”

“Fall against the wall?”

Charlie grinned. “We didn’t make it to bed.”

August wished he hadn’t asked, as he couldn’t stop the heat from blooming in his chest and spreading. He shrugged out of his coat, wanting to blame it on being overdressed in the overly warm library.

The way Charlie watched him take his coat off didn’t help.