The Reading Room – Part 2: Last Page
Mature & Silver·EN·1 min read·Published 2026-11-07, updated 2026-11-07·Part 2 of 2
On a wet November evening, the librarian left early with a headache and a ring of keys.
"Lock up when you're done," she said, winking. "Don't take the first editions."
The library was silent and golden. The lamps glowed on the desks, the rain streamed down the tall windows, and the radiators ticked comfortably. Maeve and Declan sat at their corner table with the old anthology between them, a flask of tea and a plate of shortbread.
"We're on the last poem," said Declan.
"We could stop."
"We could read it again."
She smiled. He passed her the book, open at a short, plain verse about two people in a kitchen. She read it aloud, slowly, her voice unsteady. When she finished, there was a long, warm quiet.
"That was my wife's favourite," said Declan. "I wanted you to read it."
Her eyes were bright. "Thank you."
"I think she'd have liked you."
"I think I'd have liked her."
He reached across the table and took her hand. His was dry and warm, with long careful fingers. The rain drummed on.
"Can I ask you something?" said Maeve.
"Yes."
"May I kiss you?"
"Yes," said Declan, almost a whisper. "And if you say stop, you must read me the whole anthology again."
"That isn't a punishment."
"I'm told I'm hopeless at those."
She rose and kissed him, gently, her hand against his cheek. He kissed her back, slow and tender, tasting of tea and shortbread. The lamps glowed around them. Outside, the rain softened and stopped.
When they parted, both of them were smiling.
"Green?" he asked.
"Green," said Maeve. "Very green."
They read together every evening after that. The librarian says the poetry corner has never been so busy.
More mature romance stories: Autumn in Quebec · The Quilting Circle · The Silver Ballroom
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