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those doors, it was as though I’d stepped into a different world. I welcomed the peaceful quiet, the musty smell of old books, and the comfort of the shabby furniture.
    One of the few possessions I’d held onto for dear life was the library card I’d gotten back in high school. I wasn’t sure I would even qualify for one now since I didn’t have additional proof of my address.
    A whole new world had opened up to me when I found out that card gave me access to one full hour a day on the internet. Once I figured out how to use the search engines, I felt like I’d been given a free round-trip ticket to anywhere I wanted to go.
    I never used social media sites because, let’s face it, besides Holden, I didn't have any friends to socialize with. And even though I was stuck in the same county I’d grown up in, I definitely had no interest in connecting with people from my past.
    When I fired up the internet, the usual national headlines popped up.  The one that caught my eye was about the White House getting closer to selecting a corporation to protect them from further computer hacking.  I hadn’t even read that they’d been hacked in the first place, but things like that made me thankful I didn’t have my own electronic devices.  The last thing I needed was for some cyber-criminal to have my private information.
    As I’d hoped, nobody bothered me while I scrolled through countless websites during my allotted hour. I researched different places and things to do, dreaming of a life I couldn’t imagine living. It probably seemed odd that someone who’d never been anywhere outside the U.S. would be so fascinated by other people’s travels, but I couldn’t help myself. When we’d done that career assessment in high school, my results said I’d be some sort of world traveler. Unfortunately, those tests didn’t know shit about my reality.
    The second thing I always looked at were the employment listings. The only things I qualified for, though, were the jobs that listed No Experience Necessary . They always seemed to have the shadiest ads, too. Everything from private dancers to cleaning ladies. I have to admit, I read the posting for Beau Monde Domestic Services , a high-end house cleaning company, a few times.  The pay listed was more than I made including tips, and I had to ask myself if it really would be that bad cleaning toilets for the rich and famous. Some clients even offered living quarters.
    Saving the best for last, I finally clicked on the Globe Trekker website. I loved watching the archived episodes and even broke down and bought some earbuds from the dollar store not that long ago. Sadly for me, the next guy kicked me out of my seat before I could finish the video on The Fiesta of San Miguel, Bolivia .
    Stepping away, I pulled my duffle bag strap over my shoulder and headed for the front door, dreaming about the colorful festival I’d just seen when I spotted Holden leaning against a wall nearby. And he was watching me. Shit, how long has he been standing there?
    “I wondered if I’d find you here today.” He pushed away from the wall and flashed one of his heart-melting smiles.  No matter how much I wanted to deny it, this guy made me feel alive and full of hope, but at the moment, I was ashamed that I’d lied to him earlier.
    I gripped the strap of my bag tighter and took a deep breath.
    He placed his hands on the side of my face and ran his thumbs along my cheeks, encouraging me to look at him. “Hey, it’s okay.” His soft words drew my eyes to his. “Jules, tell me the truth.  When do you have to be at work, or anywhere for that matter?”
    I cleared my throat and gave him what he wanted to hear—the truth.  “Tomorrow night.”
    I was hypnotized when he flashed another fierce smile. “So you don’t have anything going on for the rest of today or tomorrow?”
    “Besides laundry, no.” I lifted my shoulder, showing him the bag.
    Stepping to my side, he tugged on my hand.