Chapter 11

Iwalked into work, my steps dragging. Under my arm I was carrying the poster boards I was going to use to make more posters. I had picked up some new markers to use on the boards that would hopefully be eye catching.

I was dreading the day, but it wasn't because I didn't love my job. I just knew it was going to be over soon. Any day now, I could show up and find the doors locked and a sign telling me to go kick rocks. I had no idea if they would give me a warning or if it would just be over and done with.

I spent the weekend wondering about the books. Would I be involved with packing them up? There were so many questions, and no one seemed the least bit interested in answering them.

I heard a woman talking in the head librarian's office. Maybe she would know something about what was going on.

When I walked into the back, I froze as I took in the scene. It was like a punch to the gut when I saw the business chick, as I had come to think of her—talking animatedly with a couple of city officials. They walked right by me and into the library like I was invisible. I followed behind them, powerless to stop these barbarians from invading my little library.

They were gesturing to the ceiling and walls, pointing out all the flaws. I couldn't help but eavesdrop, my curiosity getting the better of me as I strained to catch snippets of their conversation.

"The new building will make this community more appealing to higher income earners," one of the city officials remarked.

My heart clenched at the thought of these shelves being cleared out and the building demolished. The business chick nodded in agreement, all but licking her lips as she surveyed the space that had become my second home over the years. This jackal in a miniskirt couldn't wait to rip this place to shreds.

As they moved further into the library, I trailed behind them like a ghost. My mind raced with questions and uncertainties. They were talking about tearing down a place that held so many memories and moments that made this little corner of the world special. I couldn't bear the thought of losing this haven.

I couldn't just stand by and watch them destroy everything that this library represented. Fighting these goliaths was probably futile, of course. A few posters around the area weren't much compared to their millions of dollars, but I would never forgive myself if I didn't at least try.

I walked back to my desk to get started on library business but it all felt a little pointless. Clearly, they were moving forward with their plans. Why bother putting books back on the shelves when they were all going to be shipped off to the other libraries or given away?

I mechanically started shelving books, and that old sense of calm settled over me. Tidying up the library always helped tidy up my scattered thoughts too. An idea began to form in the back of my mind. Maybe there was a better way to fight back, to make them see the value of this place, the heart and soul that went into every story housed within these walls. I couldn't let them bulldoze over years of history and community connection without a fight.

I glanced over at the business chick and the officials deep in discussion, their faces set with determination. Determination. That was what I needed. I needed to gather support, to rally the community together to stand up for our library.

The group eventually dispersed, leaving the business chick standing alone in the entryway, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on me. And then, to my surprise, she shot me a radiant smile, her perfect lipstick gleaming in the soft light.

"Excuse me," she said to get my attention. "Do you know where I can find a good coffee around here?"

I blinked in surprise, taken aback by her sudden attention. "Um, yeah," I replied, my voice coming out a little more strained than normal. "There's a café up the block. Just head out the front doors and turn left. You can't miss it."

She nodded, her smile never faltering. "Thanks, I'll check it out. See you around!"

And with that, she turned and walked away, her heels clicking and clacking as she disappeared from sight. I watched her go, feeling a mix of anger and admiration swirling inside me. Women like that knew what they wanted. They went after it, taking no prisoners. The thought of me going up against a woman like that was pretty funny.

I couldn't shake the feelings of inadequacy, choking me like a poison cloud. How could I compete with someone like her? All put together, she wouldn't be intimidated by a man like Archer. She would know just what to write in her notes, and if he threw down a challenge, she would throw one down right back.

She had blueprints, corporate money, designer shoes, and legit legal documents. And what did I have? I looked down at one of the posters I'd been working on. It was nice but definitely amateur looking. It didn't have the sleek professionalism of the business chick's presentation, but it did have heart. It had soul. And maybe that was exactly what I needed to combat her polished exterior.

No, the poster wasn't going to do it. I could see that now. My handwritten flyers weren't it. I needed a new strategy.

Tears of frustration stung my eyes as I tore up the poster I had been working on. It was nothing but a painful reminder of my own inadequacy.

"Everything okay?"

My head jerked up. Archer was standing at the edge of my desk with a concerned look on his face. I was humiliated he witnessed my moment of weakness, and I was angry he didn't announce his presence. He snuck up on me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice coming out sharper than I had intended.

Archer shrugged. "It's a library. I'll give you two guesses."

I looked around. A stack of books that needed to be put back on the shelves sat on the corner of my desk. I snatched one and shoved it at him. "Here. This is right up your alley."

Archer chuckled and flipped through the pages with interest. "I'm not here to read, Mary Ellen," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'm here to take you out."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes at his persistence. "I'm working. I've got a bunch of stuff to do. This is not the time. I have a lot on my plate right now."

"That's exactly why you should go out with me," he interrupted, his voice gentle but firm. "You need to take a break, have some fun, let your hair down. What's the harm?"

I opened my mouth to protest but nothing came out.

"What time are you off?" he asked.

I scowled. "Why?"

"Because I'm taking you out. I could just hang out here and wait for you to get off, but I do have things to do. What time are you off work?"

"Six," I muttered, knowing he wasn't actually going to show up.

"Great. I'll be here."

Before I could form a coherent response, he took the book and walked away. I muttered under my breath and looked for something I could throw at him.

I huffed in frustration, shaking my head at his persistence. Who did he think he was? I tried to focus on my work, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Archer's offer. Maybe a break wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. And he was right—I did need to let off some steam and clear my head.

But he was probably just toying with me. He saw a shaken woman in a moment of vulnerability, and he thought he would just have a little fun. What a bully.

But dammit, I couldn't stop myself from feeling a strange mix of irritation and curiosity swirling inside me. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all. He was very attractive. I didn't want anyone to look at me and assume things. Maybe I should take my own advice. If he came back and asked me to get coffee with him, I would keep an open mind.

I tried to ignore him, but he was a hard person to ignore. He was sitting in my corner, his feet up once again as he read the book I thrust at him. I didn't even know what the book was about. It looked like a steamy romance, which seemed to be his preference.

After a couple of hours, he carried the book back to my desk. "Don't read it until your next shift," he said. "I'll be back at six."

He walked out, leaving me speechless. I was going to search the book to see what note he had left, but a few people came in, needing my attention. Things were busy from that moment on. I had students looking for books and a sweet old lady that needed help getting on the internet. I moved around the library, keeping everyone satisfied and doing what I loved. I barely had time to think about Archer and the impending date, assuming he actually showed up. I wasn't really counting on him coming back.

I started preparing to leave for the day. The clock hit six, and as if on cue, the door opened and the man himself strolled in with a cocky smile on his face.

"Ready?" he asked.

"You're serious?"

"Absolutely," he said. "Let's go."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't know you."

"That's the whole point of going out, to get to know someone." He shrugged. "It's just dinner. Nothing fancy. I'm not trying to take you back to my place or anything like that."

"But—"

"Mary Ellen," he said, dropping his voice to a seductive tone. "Come on. It's dinner. We can get tacos at a taco truck if that makes you feel better."

"I don't go out with men I don't know."

"How do you get to know anyone if you never go out?" he countered.

I scowled and shook my head. "That's not what I mean."

"I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I'm not the kind of guy that gives up easily," he said with that infuriating smile.

I blew out an exasperated breath. "Fine. One hour."

"Works for me."

I grabbed my purse and followed him out the door, locking it behind me. I stopped when I saw that Archer didn't have a car parked nearby. Instead, he was standing next to his sleek black motorcycle, with a helmet in hand.

"No way," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head in disbelief. "I am not getting on that thing."

Archer just grinned and held out a helmet toward me. "Don't be a scaredy cat, Mary Ellen. I'll drive slow, I promise. I haven't crashed yet."

"There's always a first time," I mumbled under my breath.

"It's not far. I will take it nice and easy. Look at me. Do you see any scars on this face?"

It looked perfect actually, but I wasn't going to tell him that. I eyed him skeptically, not sure I believed him. But then he drew an X over his heart, his expression earnest.

"Cross my heart," he said softly.

"This will probably be one of the worst decisions I've ever made," I said.

"Isn't dating fun?" He grinned. "Have you ever been on a bike?"

I gave him a dry look. "Do I look like I've ever been on a bike?"

He chuckled. "Nope, but I'm not trying to assume. I'm glad I get to be your first ride."

My face felt like it was on fire. If he only knew where my mind went.