Page 54 of The Overdue Kiss

Is that something normal people do with a book?

I don’t have time to contemplate the answer as she shoves an apple-and-something candle under my nose, gushing about stickers, candy, and deluxe artwork hidden within the hot pink shredded crinkle paper in the box. Her eyes mist as she reads the blurb on the back aloud, and just when I think she is finished, she dances in a circle, her hair whipping around her.

The joy etched across her face lights a flame in my chest. Now I have the sudden urge to buy her every book in the bookstore just to see her reaction again.

“Des, seriously... I don’t know what to say. Nobody has ever bought me something like this before.” Lovingly, she tucks it all back in the box and hugs it to her chest.

“So . . . you like it?”

“Are you blind? I love it!” She launches herself into my arms, and I pull her close until there isn’t an inch of space between us. Just like yesterday, I savor every second she lets down her guard with me. I’m almost holding my breath, afraid that one sudden movement will make her pull away.

“How are you this amazing?” she mumbles into my shirt.

“Am I?” How could she ask the same question I’m thinking about her?

“Of course you are.” She sighs and glances up at me. “I guess that makes my surprise for you less exciting.”

“Oh?” But my “oh” fades away as she pulls from my embrace.

“Today I’m making your batch of sugar cookies plus some chocolate chip cookies. Plenty of sugar for grading papers this week.” She picks up her bag and cradles it like a newborn. “If I don’t get lost in these pages, I mean. I’ll drop off your cookies at the school tomorrow. All right, I promised Julia I’d hang out with her after church.”

My stomach drops as she starts to back away.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say.

She walks a few steps before turning back and racing into my arms for another hug. “Seriously, the best gift, Des.”

Then she sprints off down the street toward the church.

I dig my phone from my pocket and send Chantelle a text.

How do I sign up for all your books for life?

Chapter Thirteen

Dear Ms. Santos,

We regret to inform you that your request through the Rocosa Historical Society has been denied...

The rest of the email blurs in my inbox as a burst of fury courses through my veins. Yes, I know the others warned me this might be the outcome, but I thought because of my position with Golden Library and the fact that I sent six and a half pages explaining the urgency to prevent the library’s closure would sway their decision.

Nope. It’s a flat-out refusal.

Unbelievable!

A deranged laugh escapes me at the thought of my week’s worth of hard work going down the drain. They are the literal barricade blocking me from time-sensitive renovations that could save their library.

I bark another sarcastic laugh as I read a line further down the email where they “respectfully decline” the closure of the library.What?Does this person think they can override the government’s decision should they choose to pull the library’s funding? What delusional person wrote this? I scroll to the email signature and memorize the name: Gladys Monroe.

I’m about to be a pain in your backside, Ms. Monroe.

“Why does it sound like a mad scientist lives here?” Julia says cautiously from the doorway, peering around the doorjamb.

“The historical society just declined my renovation request. Since there’s no structure damage or code violation, they won’t approve cosmetic changes.” I shake my phone at her. “They are turning it into a book mausoleum instead of a functioning library.”

Julia nods, raising her hands in the air as she tiptoes into the room. “Some of what you said was in Spanish, but I caught the gist of it. Is that all we can do? Can we appeal or fight it somehow?”

“Oh, I’m going to fight it all right,” I growl.

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