Page 62 of The Overdue Kiss

“I’ve made my decision, Ms. Santos. There is nothing wrong with the building. It sounds like a problem with how you organize and run your library. That’s not my problem.”

“Structure does matter. You didn’t even give me an opportunity to explain my case before you denied it. At least be fair and hear me out.”

With a bored expression, she threads her fingers together. “Two minutes. Go.”

“The way the library operates has changed since this structure was originally built. We need to stay current with the modern demands and advancements. Would you go to a beauty salon and use a blow dryer from the early 1900s? No. It’s the same with the library. Technology has changed and will keep changing, and so we need to do the same. And the people in this room agree with me. I’d also like to present a signed petition from the community supporting the renovation oftheirlibrary. Please take their wishes into account. If we can get those people to return to the library, then maybe we can prevent it from shutting down.”

She sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Just bring me the signatures, Ms. Santos.”

The paper crackles as she flips through the pages.

“You all signed this?” Gladys asks, surprised.

I stand, ignoring the prickle of stares. “Not only did the majority of Rocosa sign it, but so did other libraries and supporters?—‍”

“Mr. Brooks, sit down.”

I speak louder so she doesn’t drown me out. “—‍all across the US. They believed in our cause and continued to share this petition so that?—‍”

“You do not have my approval to speak.”

“—‍in a matter of days, we gained over two thousand signatures.”

“Silence, Mr. Brooks.”

“You can’t ignore that. Rocosa needs a library.”

Maya spins to smile at me, a bright one that lights up her whole face. My chests expands, warmth spreading through me.

Gladys shoots up from her seat, her cheeks a flaming red. “That’s enough from you. I am the one that gets to decide. Me and this board. Not you. Not the town. And certainly not this librarian who’s been here for one nanosecond.”

“Gladys Monroe, you’ve gone too far and have let your pride go to your head,” Mr. Sherman accuses, bolting to his feet. “This isn’t about you and the power you think your family holds over the town. This is about the community uniting over a common goal. If you can’t be neutral about this, then maybe we need to vote for a new president after this meeting.”

She doesn’t respond, letting her scathing glare do the work for her.

“Wait. What if we can construct a wall to show off the library’s history?” Maya suggests. “Pictures of the original building and how it’s evolved over time. That way the past won’t be forgotten. It will be hanging on the walls for all to see.”

Gladys surveys the crowd, her lips pinched. “This is what you all want? To modernize our history and replace it with photographs?”

A unanimous agreement ripples across the room, and she shakes her head.

“Fine. Your appeal has been... approved,” she says through clenched teeth.

The room erupts in cheers, the noise deafening. Normally, I’d bolt from the room, but Maya turns around and her eyes land on mine to anchor me in place. Sound fades out until it’s just the hum of my raspy breaths as she races toward me. I catch her mid-jump, wrapping her in my arms, and breathe in her sweet scent.

“Well done, Ms. Santos,” I whisper in her ear, feeling her shiver when my lip grazes the soft rim. “I knew you could do it.”

“I thought we lost for a second there, but you saved the day with the petition.”

She burrows in closer, and I relish the moment. That out of everyone in the room, she chose to celebrate with me.

“They were your words I quoted. I just posted it online.”

“Still though. I couldn’t have done this without you. We make an excellent team.”

My eyes close briefly as I savor her words. A slow smile stretches across my face. “I’m glad you think so too.”

When Saturday rolls around, I’m more than happy to play chauffeur for my favorite librarian. I might have even taken a longer route so I could revel in the feeling of her arms wrapped around me as long as possible. Despite her tempting invitation to the opening of her uncle’s Mexican restaurant, I reluctantly hug Maya goodbye and join the biker group at Brokedown Tavern for the afternoon.

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