“But I have to send it back.”

But before Taylor could phone Married in Marietta, Margaret marched into the staff room.

“Troy Sheenan is here, Taylor. He apparently is interested in joining one of the book clubs. He asked specifically about the Tuesday Night Book Group. Personally I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but I’ll leave that to you.”

Taylor found Troy perusing the New and Notable bulletin board display across from the circulation desk, next to the library’s theme table, this month’s theme being Valentine’s Day, with classic romance novels artfully arranged. Jane Eyre. Wuthering Heights. Pride and Prejudice. Sense and Sensibility.

Taylor had fully expected Margaret to reject the theme and choice of books. But she’d left it there, and said nothing.

A victory, in Taylor’s mind.

“Thank you for the dress,” Taylor said, joining Troy in front of the bulletin board display. “But I can’t keep it. I can’t even imagine ever accepting something so extravagant—”

“I didn’t pay for it,” he said, turning to face her. His chiseled jaw was shadowed with a day old beard.

Taylor was surprised how good he looked with a little scruff. She tucked her hands behind her back, fingers threading together. “I’m sure it’s not on loan.”

“No, it’s a gift, from Lily Jewel, the designer. She wants you to wear it and we’re to be photographed and Jane is to send the photos to all her big-wig publicist friends who will tweet and share and post the photos on every fashion blog imaginable, ensuring that Lily Jewel’s dress is seen by all.”

Taylor blanched. “That’s a lot of pressure. Maybe it would have been better if you’d bought the dress after all.”

“You don’t have to wear Lily’s gown. You have a very nice new dress from Married in Marietta at home.”

She smiled at him. “Are you making fun of my nice new dress, that happens to be practical, and affordable?”

“Just a little bit.”

“I see.” But she couldn’t stop smiling at him. He made her feel good on the inside. Bubbly. Happy. It didn’t make sense. Opposites shouldn’t attract. Big city tycoons shouldn’t like small town librarians. Impulsively, she reached up to touch his scruffy jaw. His skin was warm, his jaw was hard, the black bristles sharp against her fingertips. “I kind of like this,” she said.

He lifted a brow. “That’s good, because I don’t always like to shave.”

“You… lazy?”

“Can’t be clean shaven all the time. Where’s the fun in that?”

“You do look rather… wicked.”

“And that’s appealing?”

She blushed, and then pinched herself for blushing.