Chapter 2 2

The sound of tools clanking echoed through the empty library as Emily stepped into the cavernous space the next morning. The building looked even worse in daylight. Sunlight streamed through cracks in the ceiling, highlighting layers of dust and cobwebs hanging from the wooden beams. Faded murals that once adorned the walls were now chipped and flaking. Emily's heels clicked against the warped hardwood floor as she walked, taking mental notes of everything that needed attention.

She pulled her notebook from her bag and flipped to a fresh page. The scope of work was overwhelming-structural repairs, electrical rewiring, repainting, and a long list of other problems. Still, the potential was undeniable. The arched windows, though grimy, hinted at the grandeur this building had once possessed.

The sound of footsteps drew her attention, and she turned to see Jake strolling in with a confident ease that made her grip her pen tighter. He carried a clipboard in one hand and a coffee cup in the other, looking infuriatingly at home in the chaos.

"You're early," he said, his tone light but tinged with amusement.

"I like to start my day with a plan," she replied, keeping her eyes on her notes.

Jake leaned against one of the columns, his gaze sweeping the room. "You're going to need more than a plan to fix this place."

Emily resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "I'm aware of the challenges, thank you."

He smirked, taking a sip of his coffee. "Just making sure. Don't want you getting overwhelmed and running back to the city."

"I don't run from challenges," she said, snapping her notebook shut. "Unlike some people, I know how to adapt."

The playful glint in his eyes sharpened. "Is that what you think? That I stayed here because I couldn't handle anything else?"

"I didn't say that," she said, though the accusation in her tone was undeniable.

Jake straightened, setting his clipboard on a nearby workbench. "You've been back for what-less than a day? And you think you know me?"

"I don't need to know you to recognize someone who's comfortable staying in their bubble," she shot back.

Jake's jaw tightened, and for a moment, Emily thought she'd pushed him too far. But then he shrugged, the tension rolling off him like water. "Alright, Monroe. You want to think that, go ahead. But let me tell you something-you don't fix up a place like this by sitting in a bubble."

He walked past her, heading toward a pile of tools near the corner. Emily exhaled sharply, her heart pounding in her chest. Jake Harper had always been good at getting under her skin. She had to find a way to keep her composure, or this project was going to be unbearable.

---

The day progressed with a tense rhythm. Emily focused on her sketches, trying to block out the noise of Jake and his team moving around the building. The library's interior needed a complete overhaul, but she was determined to preserve its historic charm.

Jake approached her around midday, a set of blueprints in his hand. "We need to talk about the structural issues," he said, his tone brisk and professional.

Emily nodded, setting her sketchpad aside. "What's the problem?"

He unrolled the blueprints on a nearby table and pointed to the foundation. "The west wing is sinking. If we don't address it first, anything you design in that area is going to collapse."

"Can we reinforce it without tearing it down?" she asked, leaning over the plans.

Jake's eyes flicked to hers briefly before returning to the blueprints. "It'll be tricky, but it's doable. The question is whether you're willing to adjust your timeline."

Her brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Reinforcing the foundation is going to take weeks," he explained. "It's not a quick fix. If you want this done right, you'll need to be flexible."

"I can be flexible," she said, though the words felt like a lie. Deadlines were her lifeline in New York, and adjusting them was rarely an option.

Jake studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I'll get the crew started on it tomorrow."

She nodded, grateful for the momentary truce. But as Jake rolled up the blueprints, his smirk returned. "Guess you're not as rigid as I thought, city girl."

The jab stung, but Emily refused to take the bait. She turned back to her sketches, determined to prove that she could handle whatever this project threw at her.

---

Later that afternoon, Emily ventured into one of the library's smaller rooms, hoping to find inspiration. The space was lined with dusty shelves, their contents long forgotten. A single ray of sunlight streamed through a crack in the shutters, illuminating a small wooden desk in the corner.

She approached the desk, her fingers brushing against its worn surface. It was a beautiful piece, intricately carved with delicate patterns. It must have been part of the library's original furnishings.

Jake's voice broke the silence. "Found something interesting?"

Emily jumped, spinning to face him. "Do you always sneak up on people?"

He shrugged, leaning against the doorframe. "Didn't mean to startle you. Just curious what caught your attention."

She gestured toward the desk. "This. It's stunning. If the rest of the library used to look like this, I can't imagine why anyone would let it fall into disrepair."

Jake stepped into the room, his gaze softening as he studied the desk. "It's a shame, isn't it? This place used to be the heart of the town. My mom used to bring me here every Saturday to pick out books."

Emily blinked, caught off guard by the hint of nostalgia in his voice. "I didn't know you liked to read."

"There's a lot you don't know about me," he said, his tone lighter now.

The weight of his earlier words lingered, though, and for a brief moment, Emily saw a different side of him-a side that wasn't all smirks and jabs. But the moment passed quickly, and Jake straightened, his teasing grin back in place.

"Don't get too attached to that desk," he said. "It's probably rotting from the inside out."

She rolled her eyes. "You really know how to ruin a moment, don't you?"

"Just keeping you grounded," he said, winking before walking out.

Emily sighed, turning back to the desk. If there was one thing she was sure of, it was that working with Jake Harper was going to test every ounce of her patience.

---

The sun dipped low in the sky by the time Emily called it a day. Her notebook was filled with sketches and notes, and her head buzzed with ideas for the library's transformation. Despite Jake's infuriating presence, she felt a flicker of excitement about the project.

Back at the inn, Lily was waiting for her in the common room, a bottle of wine and two glasses on the table.

"You survived day one," Lily said with a grin, pouring them both a glass.

"Barely," Emily muttered, sinking into the armchair across from her.

"Let me guess-Jake?"

Emily groaned, taking a sip of her wine. "He's impossible. Always has to have the last word, always thinks he's right."

Lily laughed. "That sounds about right. But he's good at what he does. You'll see."

"We'll see," Emily said, though her tone lacked conviction.

Lily leaned forward, her expression turning mischievous. "You know, some people would say all that tension between you two could mean something else."

Emily shot her a glare. "Don't even start."

"I'm just saying," Lily said, holding up her hands. "There's a fine line between love and hate."

Emily drained the rest of her wine, shaking her head. "Not this time. Trust me."

But as she climbed into bed that night, her mind wandered back to Jake's unexpected moment of vulnerability in the library. She told herself it didn't matter. This was just a job, and Jake Harper was nothing more than an obstacle to overcome.

Still, sleep didn't come easily, her thoughts tangled in the web of the past and the challenges of the days ahead.