The Library After Hours

The smell of old books filled the air as Mia wandered the dimly lit aisles of the library. She had volunteered to help with the community book sale, but most of the other volunteers had already left. Only she and the library’s newest hire, Alex, remained, organizing and stacking the unsold books.

“Do you think anyone actually reads these encyclopedias anymore?” Alex asked, holding up a heavy, dust-covered volume.

Mia chuckled. “Maybe someone trying to build a home gym.”

Alex grinned, placing the book on a nearby cart. He had an easy charm that Mia found distracting. His dark-rimmed glasses made him look serious, but the warmth in his hazel eyes softened the effect.

“What’s your excuse for still being here?” he asked, leaning against the cart.

“I’m a sucker for books,” she admitted. “Even when they’re not mine.”

“That explains the four boxes of books you bought earlier,” Alex teased.

“Hey, those were good finds!” she defended, trying to suppress a smile.

Alex laughed, a deep, genuine sound that echoed through the empty library.

They worked in companionable silence for a while, sorting and stacking until the job was nearly done. The only sound was the soft hum of the fluorescent lights overhead.

“You know,” Alex said suddenly, breaking the quiet, “I’ve been meaning to ask—what’s your favorite book?”

Mia paused, caught off guard. “Oh, that’s tough. There are too many.”

“Come on,” Alex urged. “Top three, then.”

“Okay,” Mia said, thinking. “Pride and Prejudice, The Night Circus, and… To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“Solid choices,” Alex said, nodding. “Though I wouldn’t have pegged you for a Pride and Prejudice fan.”

“Why not?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“I don’t know,” he said with a playful shrug. “You don’t seem like the type to fall for brooding types like Mr. Darcy.”

Mia raised an eyebrow. “Oh, and what type do I seem like?”

Alex hesitated, suddenly serious. “The kind that deserves someone who can make her laugh.”

Mia’s breath caught. The teasing atmosphere shifted, and she found herself unable to look away from him.

“Well,” she said softly, “what about you? Favorite books?”

“Easy,” Alex said. “The Great Gatsby, Dune, and this,” he added, holding up a worn copy of The Catcher in the Rye.

Mia tilted her head. “You’re a Holden Caulfield fan?”

“Not really,” Alex admitted, grinning. “But it’s a good conversation starter.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, here you are,” he said, his tone light but his eyes full of something deeper.

Before Mia could respond, the clock chimed, signaling it was well past closing time.

“Guess we should lock up,” Alex said, reluctant.

“Yeah,” Mia said, gathering her things.

As they walked to the door, Alex hesitated. “Mia… Would you want to grab coffee sometime? To talk more about books. Or anything.”

She smiled. “I’d like that.”

As they stepped into the cool night air, Mia couldn’t help but think that some of the best stories started in the most unexpected places.