Page 60 of The Overdue Kiss

“Absolutely. You’ve been fighting to keep the library doors open when you didn’t have to. The community here needs to step up and show our support. I hope this petition will encourage more to do the same after they read it. I see how many hours you are pouring in over this. Taking on such a big project, especially on your own and in secret, has been such a weight on your shoulders. I’m happy to help carry the burden.”

“Des...” I press a hand to my heart, overwhelmed with his kindness.

“It’s the truth. All of it.”

“Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

His ears tinge pink. “Did you want to proof it?”

As I read, his fingers trace absentmindedly down the side of my arm in a lazy path. A few times I have to read a sentence again, distracted by the tingles coursing through my skin.

“This is exactly what I was looking for. How do we get all the signatures?”

“We’ll post it online and send it to everyone in town. I’ll print it out and bring it to the meeting. Can you send me some pictures of what you’re renovating?”

I nod. “I’ll do it tomorrow.”

“Good. And if we aren’t getting enough signatures, I’ll ask Aunt Birdie to make sure the word gets around.”

“Aunt Birdie... why does that sound familiar? Oooh. A pack of little old ladies cornered me on Main Street. They were searching for some mystery girl.”

He coughs and slides away, guilt splattered on his face in red blotches.

“What did you do, Desmond?”

“Remember when I couldn’t find you after I brought you to Rocosa? I might have accidentally released the unofficial neighborhood watch after you.” He winces. “I actually sorta forgot about it.”

“You forgot?! They interrogated me for almost thirty minutes. I think one lady wanted my dental records.”

Laughing, he shakes his head. “Agh.I’m sorry. I tried to have Aunt Birdie call them off, but they are like a pack of bloodhounds on the scent. We can’t call them off the hunt.”

“You owe me. Big time.” I cross my arms.

“How about I take you to Denver’s most popular bookshop this weekend? You can pick out whatever you want—my treat. We can leave a little early this weekend before we meet up with everyone.”

“That’s a dangerous proposition for a book lover.” I jerk upright, slapping a hand on my forehead. “¡Ay!This weekend!I can’t believe I forgot to tell you about Tío José’s restaurant opening. The whole family is going to help out. I don’t know how long they’ll need me there, so I don’t want to make any plans I can’t keep.”

“I understand.”

But he isn’t fast enough at hiding his disappointment.

“We can still ride into town together if you don’t mind leaving a bit earlier to drop me off.”

My heart flutters as his eyes travel over my face, a slow perusal filled with heat.

“You never have to ask. I don’t think I could say no to you, Maya.”

Chapter Fourteen

Where is she?

I wait on the edge of the metal folding chair, my eyes bouncing between the two community center entrances. Maya has five more minutes before the Rocosa Historical Society meeting starts, and she’s nowhere in sight.

It’s standing room only, with half the town coming to show their support for the library. Which makes Maya’s absence even more noticeable. A few people point to the reserved seat next to me, where she should be sitting right now.

My knee jiggles as I watch the clock hands on the wall slowly tick by, causing the papers to flutter on my lap. The printed petition I posted spread like wildfire, acquiring well above the required hundred signatures. Everything rests on Maya’s shoulders now with her final speech to sway Gladys and the rest of the board.

I know this is her battle to fight, but shoot, something inside me wants to stand up and fight on her behalf. I hate public speaking, even the Back to School nights when I have to meet with all the parents. But if she asked me to stand up in this packed room for her, I’d do it gladly.

---