Page 61 of The Overdue Kiss

Luckily, I don’t have to. When the door opens again, my heart stops.

Maya storms into the meeting in a white blouse and form-fitting black dress pants, ones I can’t seem to drag my eyes away from. Her heels click with each step as she marches down the aisle to the front row where I saved our seats. A determined glint flashes in her doe eyes as she studies the board members behind the folding table.

It’s hard to pinpoint the difference in her appearance. Whether it’s the professional clothing and heels, her normally loose hair gathered into a bun on top of her head, or the beige knit sweater that stops at the flare of her hips—but it’s the first time she’s ever looked like a librarian.

And holy smokes, she’s hot.

Reese taps my shoulder and gestures to her mouth, shaking her head. Either I’m drooling or my mouth is hanging open.

Realistically, it could be both.

I mean, how could I not be? She’s fierce and beautiful. Her skin glows in the fluorescent lights, reminding me of a confident runway model walking in slow motion toward me.Whoa. It’s with concerning clarity I realize that if there weren’t fifty people in this room, I’d probably meet her halfway and kiss her senseless.

My mind plays this image in a loop in my head until I’ve forgotten what I’m doing or why I’m here. There’s only Maya.

“Des,” Reese hisses from next to me. “Stay focused.”

“Oh, I’m focused.”

She picks up the petition and whacks me on the shoulder just as Maya takes her seat next to me.

“Thanks for saving me a spot. You weren’t joking about the parking situation. Julia had to drop me off, and she’s looking to park at the church and walk here.” She’s panting a little, and maybe I am too.

Reese hits me with the petition again.

“Hey,” I snap at her and grab the documents.

“Maya needs you right now. So get your head in the game.”

I hate it when my sister is right.

The meeting starts on time, Gladys sweating a little with the number of people in the room. Every once in a while, she glances at Maya, who waits stiffly in her chair worrying the hem of her sweater.

I take a chance and place one of my hands over hers, which she clings to with both hands. Tilting her way, I whisper, “You got this.”

She squeezes my hand in response.

Maya stands as soon as the public forum starts, and I push the papers into her hands.

“Hi, I’m Maya Santos, the Outreach Librarian?—‍”

Gladys cuts her off. “Yes, yes, Ms. Santos. I had a funny feeling you’d be gracing us with your presence today. Do you have your appeal form?”

“Yes.”

She beckons Maya forward with impatient fingers until the paper is in her hand. “Hmph. Signed by Mr. Sherman I see.” Gladys looks up through her glasses at the man in question, who’s sitting two rows behind me.

“The library is in my blood. Why wouldn’t I do everything in my power to save it?” he replies with a hint of sarcasm.

The crowd starts to murmur, the voices growing louder by the second.

“Decorum.Decorum.” The room silences immediately. “Mr. Sherman, you do not have the floor. Only Ms. Santos or the board may speak.”

“Someone thinks mighty highly of themselves,” he mutters just loudly enough for a few rows to hear and chuckle.

“Everything looks the same to me. Appeal request denied. Next.”

Maya takes a step back, startled by the declaration. “But... the library will close.”

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