The Man Who Returned Every Library Book Early

Genevieve worked the university library's return desk, and she'd noticed him for months before ever properly speaking to him a graduate student who returned every single book precisely three days before its due date, without fail, regardless of subject or length.

"You're the earliest returner I've ever met," she finally said, scanning in his latest stack. "Most people return things the day they're due, or considerably late. You're an anomaly."

"Guilty anxiety," he admitted, looking faintly sheepish. "I have recurring nightmares about accumulated late fees. Started in undergrad, never properly stopped."

"For what it's worth, your fines would be minimal even if you were occasionally late," Genevieve said, amused. "The university library isn't exactly predatory about overdue books."

"Try telling that to my nervous system," he said, smiling. "I'm Julian, by the way. I feel like after eight months of silently returning books to you, introductions are somewhat overdue."

"Genevieve," she said, extending a hand. "Though clearly, unlike your books, you've taken your time getting around to this."

"In my defense, I'm considerably braver about returning library materials than initiating conversation with cute librarians," Julian said, then visibly startled at his own admission. "That was supposed to stay internal. Apologies."

Genevieve laughed, genuinely charmed by his flustered honesty. "Duly noted, and appreciated, despite the accidental delivery."

"Would it be too forward," Julian asked, gathering visible courage, "to ask if you'd want to get coffee sometime? Considerably sooner than three days before some arbitrary due date, ideally."

"I'd like that," Genevieve said, smiling. "Though I confess, I've spent eight months slightly curious about the anxious early-returner myself."

"Word gets around the library staff, apparently," Julian said, amused.

"You're something of a legend at the return desk," Genevieve admitted. "The staff has an ongoing pool about whether you'll ever actually keep a book past its due date. I believe the current record stands at negative four days."

"I refuse to confirm or deny the accuracy of that legend," Julian said, grinning. "Though I maintain my system works perfectly well."

to be continued... 📚💛