Cajun Two-Step- The Complete Series

by Leigh Landry

  After an hour of matching up orders with shipping receipts and logging inventory and moving things around, Shane was down to the last box. When he opened it, he shook his head at the packing slip and the company’s logo.

  A dragon’s head.

  Well, he’d gone a whole hour without thinking about Natalie. That was something, he guessed. Somehow, though, he needed to get down to not thinking about her at all.

  Good luck.

  Shane hadn’t expected sex that night, but what he really hadn’t expected was to miss her the next day. And he shouldn’t have. He’d known her for…what? An hour? Five, if he counted the gig beforehand.

  But she knew his favorite author now. His favorite books. And she’d given him a new series recommendation. That felt even more intimate than half the stuff they did against those bookshelves.

  Shane shifted his focus back to the packing slip and contents of that box, because there was no point thinking about books or blondes. Especially not ones with obviously complicated backstories. He’d given up complicated a long time ago, and he sure as hell wasn’t looking for a relationship right now.

  He had one more gig with the band next Friday. He was going to be professional, do his job, and be glad for the bit of fun they had together. He’d take his quiet, semi-lonely life over complications and heartbreak any day.

  But that didn’t mean he had to ignore a perfectly good book recommendation.

  He took one last look at the dragon’s head on the packing slip, then cleaned up the trash around him and walked to the front of the store.

  “All done?” asked Charles, the sales manager. He was a short, middle-aged, light-skinned black man who had more charm and ease with customers than Shane had ever seen before. He was inarguably the best boss Shane had ever had, and he also had an apparent skincare regimen that made all the women in the office insanely jealous.

  “Yeah. Everything’s accounted for and shelved.” He handed Charles the packing slips.

  “Good,” said Charles. “Oh hey, I forgot to ask this morning. How was Friday?”

  “Friday?” Shane stuttered.

  Charles eyed him curiously. “Yeah, the gig I got you. The ball?”

  “Oh, that.” Shane scratched his arm. “Great. Thanks for hooking me up with that.”

  He strategically held back his thanks for the rest of his hooking up.

  “No problem. You were my first thought when they called asking if we could recommend someone.”

  “Well, thanks. I appreciate it.” Shane had put out the word to his coworkers that he was taking on more gigs. Better than sitting at home alone, second guessing his choices with his family. Plus, he could always use the extra cash. “Doing the Cajun Field gig for them, too.”

  “Oh yeah? Great.”

  Shane glanced at that dragon head on the top packing slip in Charles’s hand, then looked up at the clock above the display of drum kits. “I’m gonna take my lunch a little early. That okay?”

  “All right. It’s quiet here this morning. Got errands to run?”

  “Yeah, I’ve gotta run to the library.”

  “The library?”

  Shane laughed. “I’ll tell you about it later.”

  “This better be a good story.”

  “Oh, it is.”

  “Happy ending?” Charles asked.

  The bells on the door chimed as Shane pushed it open and sunshine streamed into the store. “Not a chance.”

  * * * * *

  Natalie rolled the shelving cart to the junior nonfiction section and glanced at the first book. Castles. She found the right shelf, tucked it in line, and moved on to the next book. The Loch Ness Monster.

  She smiled at the cover. Nessie had been her favorite thing to read about as a kid. Cadence wasn’t quite there yet, but she felt bonded to whichever kid recently returned this stack of (probably overdue) Nessie books.

  Monday mornings were Natalie’s favorite day at work. The children’s section was usually pretty quiet in the mornings, since most of the older kids were in school, and Mardi Gras break didn’t start until next week. The children’s department didn’t even have a story time scheduled on Mondays. That meant a nice, slow start to the week—just Natalie and the books, a handful of preschoolers and toddlers, and a few of their homeschooling patrons.

  While she didn’t exactly enjoy dropping Cadence off at school on Monday mornings—she missed her little bug during the day—she was grateful for some time out of the house. It had been nice to finally have downtime after working the last couple weekends to make up for a few days she’d taken off when Cadence was sick with the flu. But her house was too damn quiet this past weekend and the air too full of questions. Even Cadence had been quiet, content to build elaborate Lego villages all weekend.

  Maybe she’d get a dog. They make a lot of noise.

  Natalie turned at the end of the aisle and headed toward the picture books, where a mom was reading to her toddler while she pushed a sleeping baby back and forth in a stroller. A purple streak against black caught Natalie’s eye, and she waved as Kelsey maneuvered through the low shelves to meet her.

  “Hey,” Kelsey whispered.

  Kelsey worked at a record store downtown, a few blocks from the library. She normally ate her lunch behind the counter, but if she wasn’t working alone, she would occasionally take a walk on her break to enjoy some sunshine and visit Natalie for a few minutes.

  Natalie glanced up at the colorful clock on the wall. Wow. Almost lunchtime already. The day was flying by. Too quickly. The sooner her work day ended, the sooner she’d be back home to her quiet house and that damn unopened letter.

  “Didn’t think I’d see you here today.”

  “I wanted to take a walk. Enjoy the beautiful day.”

  Natalie narrowed her eyes. “It’s thirty-five degrees and cloudy. And you’re a bad liar.”

  “Am not.”

  “The worst. You came to check on me. Which means you talked to Robin.”

  Kelsey sighed. “Fine. I talked to Robin.”

  “I’m fine.” Natalie shelved a couple of books, each with a pig and a chicken on their covers.

  “Now who’s the liar?”

  Natalie maneuvered to another shelf. Kelsey followed, while the mom with the two kids descended upon the newly shelved pig-and-chicken books.

  “Did you read it?” Kelsey asked.

  “No. Doesn’t matter what it says.”

  Kelsey put her hands on her hips. “Like hell it doesn’t.”

  Natalie had never told Kelsey how she really felt about Camille. She’d never even told any of them, except Camille, that she was bisexual. It just wasn’t any of their business as far as Natalie was concerned. But they all knew how close Natalie and Camille were, regardless of Natalie’s deeper feelings for her best friend.

  “It doesn’t matter, because I can’t change her mind. She’s nearly as stubborn as I am. You know that.”

  “Exactly. So since when do you not even try?”

  Natalie leaned heavily on the cart. Kelsey was right. Camille was stubborn, but she was nothing compared to Natalie. Whatever Camille put in that letter wasn’t going to change Natalie’s mind. The only real question left was, why hadn’t Natalie already tracked down Camille and convinced her to come back? Or at least tried?

  “It wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain sound guy, would it?”

  Natalie shook her head. “No, of course not.”

  “You sure? Because Robin also mentioned she saw you drive off in his truck after the gig Saturday.”

  Shit. “How pissed was she?”

  “Eh, for Robin? Not much,” Kelsey said. “I think she’s cutting you some slack. You know, because of the other stuff.”

  “I don’t need her damn pity.”

  “Believe me, Robin doesn’t have any for you.” Kelsey looked over her shoulder to make sure the mom and her kid were distracted, then leaned close and whispered, “How was it?”

  Natalie glan
ced at the mom too, then pushed her cart over to another set of shelves, buying herself some time to cool the flush she felt creeping up her neck. She whispered to Kelsey, “A-fucking-mazing.”

  Kelsey stuck her tongue out, bit it, and scrunched her face in an approving grin. “Nice!”

  “He’s fun. And tasty.”

  “Good. You deserve fun and tasty.”

  Natalie agreed. “What about you? How are you?”

  “As long as I don’t have to watch him make out with his ex, I’ll be fine.” Kelsey shrugged. “I could use my own fun and tasty, though.”

  Natalie grinned. “Mission accepted.”

  “Maybe yours has a brother?”

  “I wouldn’t know. This isn’t a thing.”

  Kelsey raised her eyebrows and looked over Natalie’s shoulder. “You sure about that?”

  Natalie turned and followed Kelsey’s gaze. “What the hell?”

  “Do you tell all your fun and tasty-flings-that-aren’t-a-thing where you work?”

  “No, and I didn’t tell this one either.”

  “Ew. Want me to stick around?”

  “No, I’ve got this.” Natalie pushed the cart back to the information desk and walked with Kelsey toward the exit. “Plenty of witnesses. And a security guard. He’s not super-useful, but he’s got a gun. Plus, I took this guy’s bat from his truck.”

  “You what?”

  Natalie winked at her friend. “Not an appropriate story for the children’s department.”

  “Gotcha.” Kelsey gave her a devilish grin as she nodded toward Shane on her way out.

  Natalie walked out into the library entryway to intercept Shane. She wasn’t sure if he had stalked her to find out where she worked or if this was just some weird coincidence. Either way, she wasn’t going to tiptoe around him at her job. And she was going to take the initiative to let him know she was in control in this place.

  He turned and flinched in surprise when he saw her standing in the middle of the hall.

  Good. She could rule out stalking.

  But when a smile slowly spread through his facial hair and butterflies took residence in Natalie’s stomach, she began to wonder who was in control of what.

  * * * * *

  Shane put his hands up in defense when Natalie stood in his way a few feet from the book drop-off. “I swear, I didn’t know.”

  She was in black slacks, a blue tank, and a light gray cardigan. A far cry from the sassy boots, low-slung jeans, and flirty plaid shirt tied up at her waist Saturday night. A different Natalie, for sure, but she still had a sexy librarian thing going on, especially with her hair pulled back in that smooth, tight ponytail.

  He squinted at the ID badge hanging from her neck, dangling over her breasts.

  “Children’s librarian?” He tried to hide his surprise, but his voice cracked anyway.

  She frowned and glared at him. “Yes. And?”

  He cleared his throat and recovered. “Then I guess you can’t help me find the book I was looking for.”

  “Depends on your reading level. Or how much you like pictures.” She tilted her head. “Or if you have kids.”

  He shook his head. “His Majesty’s Dragon.”

  She stood frozen, staring at him. Shane wasn’t sure if he wanted to break the uncomfortable silence or watch her stunned for a little longer.

  “Second floor,” she finally said. No crack in her stern expression.

  She turned away to walk through the wide, colorful entrance of the brightly lit children’s department. Even from behind—maybe especially from behind—she made black dress pants and a sweater a hot look.

  Shane grinned. If she thought the children’s section of a library would scare him off, she was sorely mistaken.

  Although he probably should have let it scare him off. He didn’t have a clue why he was following her. Maybe he was taking a sign from the universe that was putting her in his path again. Maybe this was some kind of dragon magic at work. Maybe it was time for him to take a chance on something easy and fun.

  Or maybe he was just an idiot and a complete sucker for this woman.

  When she reached the information desk and realized he was right behind her, she startled. “Sorry, we have one Naomi Novik book here in our teen section, but it’s not the title you requested.”

  “I know. But you’re here. And I’m here. And since we’re both here, I was wondering if you might want to go to lunch.”

  Lunch sounded like a good idea. Casual. Uncomplicated.

  Her eyes flashed with interest and her stern facade faded, but only for a brief second. “I already had lunch.”

  Normally he would walk away right then. Cut his losses. Take the hint.

  But there was a faint smile on her face. He loved that smile. That mouth. Something told him she was remembering Saturday night as fondly as he was. This had to be some kind of sign that the universe wanted him to have a little more fun in his life.

  “Well then, how about dinner?”

  She glanced around, then waved at a woman pushing a stroller while herding a little boy to the checkout counter. When they were out of earshot, she whispered, “Listen, you’re fun. Lots of fun. But I’m not looking for a…thing right now.”

  “Can’t you have both fun and…a thing?”

  She gave him a full smile now. God, he wanted to kiss that mouth of hers.

  “Let me save you some time and trouble,” she said. “I’m incredibly stubborn. When my mind is made up, it’s made up.”

  “Fair enough.” He leaned in close enough to whisper in her ear. “Then let me buy you a drink. Maybe more fun?”

  When he pulled back, her mouth opened slightly, and she ran her tongue along the inside of her bottom lip. He suddenly had a whole bunch of newfound library fantasies.

  “Fine,” she said. “Fun. But just fun. I don’t have time or emotional currency for anything else.”

  “Understood. What time do you get off?” Completely intentional. He stopped short of patting himself on the back for that one.

  She pressed her lips together to hide a laugh. “Six.”

  “I’ll pick you up here at six, then.”

  Natalie frowned. “Sorry. I can’t. I need to…I just remembered I can’t.”

  “Are you trying to blow me off?”

  “When I’m blowing you off, you’ll know it, I promise.”

  He coughed into his hand and laughed. Another librarian came up to the desk and looked curiously between the two of them. Shane took a step back. “Tomorrow then. Meet me at the Cuban place downtown? At seven?”

  She held his gaze, her eyes teasing and playful. She thought for a second, then said, “Fine.”

  “Good.” He took another step backward. “I need my bat, anyway.”

  Another smile crept across her face. That was definitely a look he could stand to see on her again.

  When turned away from her, he allowed himself his own smile. It didn’t leave his face all the way up to the second floor.

  Chapter 4

  Shane arrived early and got a table in the bar for them. Casual. No pressure. Not a “real date” table.

  The bar was decorated with beads and doubloons while Cuban music filled the room. A server took Shane’s drink order just as he spotted Natalie entering the restaurant. Shane stood when she approached the table.

  “I brought you a present,” she said.

  She was once again in tight jeans and cowboy boots, with a thick, brown coat to ward off the February wind. Her blonde hair draped over her shoulders, and she had on more makeup than he was used to seeing on her by now—sparkly purple eyeshadow to play off her crisp green eyes and shiny peach lip-gloss. Delicious.

  She stood across the bar-top table and presented her offering with both hands: his baseball bat.

  The server shifted nervously beside him. “Ma’am—”

  “It’s fine,” Shane assured him, taking the bat from her and resting it on the floor against his chair.

  �
�But I don’t think—”

  “You didn’t have a no bats sign on the door, so yeah, I do think.”

  The server looked at the bat again. Then, without making eye contact, he asked Natalie, “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “A Cuban ginger.”

  He scurried away, and Shane settled into his seat again, while Natalie shed her coat. She had on a fitted, long-sleeve black T-shirt with a v-neck, and a silver chain with a pendant of what looked like octopus tentacles hung from her neck. Odd choice, but it seemed to suit her.

  Not that he knew at all what suited this woman. Not yet, at least.

  “I thought you might not show up,” he said.

  “I told you if I blew you off you’d know it.”

  “I remember what you said. Still glad you showed up.”

  She nodded at the bat beside him. “I had to return your bat.”

  “And terrorize the server?”

  She shrugged. “Bonus.”

  They stared at each other for a while, which he guessed was slightly better than the awkward looking around the room that usually went with a first date. Although, this wasn’t exactly a first date. He didn’t know what this was, or what the other thing was, but staring into her green eyes across the table, he knew he wanted more of it.

  “So,” he said when the awkwardness finally got to him, “how was librarying today?”

  “Day off. I have to work next Saturday instead.”

  “Ah, hope you had a good day off then?”

  She shifted uncomfortably, appraising him. She looked as if she was deciding if he was worthy of whatever answer she had brewing on that tongue of hers. “It was fine. Mostly.”

  “Mostly?”

  The server returned and set down their drinks, the Cuban ginger for Natalie and a Cuba libre for Shane. “Would you like to order any appetizers?”

  Natalie shook her head, so Shane answered, “Not just yet.” When the server left, Shane asked, “Not hungry or planning on ditching me now that you’ve handed off your weapon?”

  “Late lunch.”

  “Ah. Is that due to the ‘mostly’ part of the day you mentioned?”

  Her mouth parted as she debated her words carefully. He wanted to walk over and cover those lips of hers with his own.