Chapter 16

Chapter

Sixteen

Iitched at the inside of my arm, rolling out my neck once I finished cleaning up and headed upstairs to the main library. On the first floor, the sun poured through the windows. Mid-day, the space felt far too bright after being cooped up for too long.

My hunched-over muscles protested each movement I made to the main offices.

I knocked on the edge of the open doorway. "Mr. Wolfern?"

The alpha librarian I'd only seen in passing the past week as he ran around campus for meetings he diligently organized on his work calendar for everyone to take note of, jumped at the sound of my voice.

Quickly, he collected himself. He looked up from his desk where he toggled between his computer and a rather large book spread out in front of him.

He clicked out of whatever he might have been looking at.

Wasn't my problem, though, I couldn't help but notice what was on his screen. I was pretty sure he was looking at employment rosters. If he didn't meet everyone in the library by now, he was much further behind than I figured.

"Ms. Jones. How can I help you?" He gave a polite smile.

I hesitated by the doorway, fine with staying where I was until he stood, waving me inside. His crisp pinstriped button-down was rolled up at the sleeves, revealing his forearms and giving more attention to the shiny gold ring on his left hand.

Not only was Mr. Wolfern bonded with his omega, but it looked like he was married. Marriage was more of a beta tendency to make things official, I always thought, since betas couldn't physically bond another to them.

I guessed I was wrong.

"Please, come in. Shut the door if this is something you'd rather do," he advised, looking behind me towards where students and faculty milled.

Taking a single step inside, I didn't bother with the door. I didn't plan on spending much time here.

I cupped my hands in front of me as I adjusted my weight, foot to foot as I tried to find balance. Even that felt off, or maybe I was just fidgety after so many hours stuck at my computer. "I just wanted to let you know that I sent you the links to all the information and collections you requested for the alumni weekend coming up. Everything is complete."

His warm eyes widened in shock. "You're kidding."

Did he think I wasn't going to get it done?

"If the link to the public database isn't already up and running it should refresh itself within the hour," I explained.

"I apologize. That's just amazing. To be honest, when I first looked into how you were archiving and repurposing all the information into a user-friendly flow for the alumni, I figured your attention to detail would slow you down a bit. I'm stunned at your work quality."

Pressing my lips together, I cleared my throat again.

The moment I was in his office, I got a heavy scent of him I hadn't noticed before. At least not in such great detail. Paper and tobacco.

I coughed, covering my mouth with my elbow.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, I apologize." I didn't think his scent was that strong before, but now it made my eyes water. "Thank you."

"No, thank you, Ms. Jones. Your persistence on this project has been noted. I'm grateful that we have you here on our team right now when we are in such a time crunch."

"You're welcome," I said, trying to hold my breath. All it made me look like, however, was a little breathless.

I closed my eyes and swallowed, my throat tight.

Mr. Wolfern turned his head at me when I opened my eyes once more. "Are you feeling well, Ms. Jones?"

"I'm good. Thank you. I'm just getting over a bit of a cold. It's been hanging on this past week," I explained.

Mr. Wolfern didn't seem to buy my answer.

Of course, for once, I was telling the truth.

He narrowed his eyes, though luckily didn't move from behind his desk. I wasn't sure if I could take it if he moved another step closer to me. "Are you positive? You look a bit feverish."

"Just tired."

"Perhaps you caught the first bug of the school year that's been going around. Please, take the rest of the afternoon off and take care of yourself," Mr. Wolfern insisted, still studying me closely as his nose twitched as if he didn't find my bland and blocked scent all that enjoyable either. "Enjoy your weekend, Ms. Jones. I'll see you on Monday."

"Thank you. You too, Mr. Wolfern."

Usually, I'd argue to make sure that I stayed until the end of the day. I didn't want anyone, especially him to think that I was slacking on my work duties.

But he did insist. And it was the weekend.

Plus, I could maybe sneak in a nap and a quick shower to clean off whatever sweat and who knows what kind of dust must've been sticking to me from the stacks.

Taking out my phone, I paused before shooting off a message. I usually wasn't the first one to start a conversation, but today, I felt like I had to.

The project is finally 100% finished.

Cal: Woohoo! So proud of you.

I smiled, shaking my head.

Cal: Pick you up at 7.

Once I got home to the apartment, I unlocked my door and made sure to lock it behind me. It felt weird, knowing that Rita was going to be gone for the weekend with most of the PhD students at a smarty-pants conference, leaving me here all alone.

Dropping my things on the floor, I stripped before I made my way to the bathroom.

For once, I didn't mind how the water always seemed to run a little cold. I stood under the spray of water for a long time before finally making sure I scrubbed myself down with my body wash.

By the time I made it back out of the shower, the week must've been catching up to me.

I washed down an extra blocker knowing that Cal was going to be taking me out somewhere a little more crowded than usual by the sounds of it. Then, I collapsed onto my mattress only wrapped in my towel, checking that I set my alarm so I would have enough time to get dressed.

It was another Rita-approved outfit of a dark blue, sparkling dress she insisted I borrow since I had nothing bar or club-appropriate, in her words.

I'd return it when she got back from the conference, perfectly clean, as promised.