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I can’t help the scowl that pulls at my mouth.
Hours. I have to wait hours for her to fulfill her dirty promises.
Before today, I thought I was a patient man.
Chapter Thirty-Five
SUMMER
“You are confident. You are a kickass librarian. You won’t have any visible pit stains.” Mirror Summer glares back at me in her black blazer.
This is an uncharacteristically dark outfit choice, but it’s the only thing that will make my last pep talk statement true. My conference presentation starts in fifteen minutes. I need to get out of this bathroom and set up my laptop with the projector.
“Hey, you almost ready?” Amy knocks on the door, startling me.
One last time, I blot my face with a paper towel, then pull open the bathroom door to find my presentation partner waiting.
“You okay?” she asks.
“Yep!” That was overly bright, but I believe my best route is to pursue enthusiasm to keep me from getting lightheaded. I will be too perky to be scared!
Ten minutes later, I’m at the front of a room large enough to hold forty people, and from the steady stream filing in, I wouldn’t be surprised if we meet that number.
It’s okay. Just imagine you’re hosting four Coffee Talks simultaneously. No big deal.
Lying is not my strong suit, especially when I’m trying to misdirect myself.
My hands fidget with the remote for the projector, wanting to press the buttons just for something to do. The organizers have left us each a bottle of water, and I home in on mine, untwisting the cap and chugging down half the contents before I realize I’m not even thirsty.
Damn. Am I going to have to pee halfway through this thing?
I can imagine it now, me standing up here in front of a group of people whose respect I’m trying to earn, all the while clenching my thighs together to keep from pissing myself. Has anyone ever excused themselves in the middle of their own presentation for a bathroom break? Would I be able to fight off the mortification of returning to the front of the room after a stunt like that?
“Okay, looks like we’re about ready.” A smiling woman with a badge that proclaims her as one of the moderators approaches us. “I’ll introduce you both, and then you can take over. Sound good?”
“Sounds great,” says Amy.
“Mmphgerd,” says me.
The moderator gives me a vaguely concerned look before turning to face the mass of gathered librarians.
Wait. Holy shit. A mass?
My eyes race over the audience, and I try to do the math. Logically, I know there’s maybe a couple dozen. But my panicked brain shouts over that fact.
There must be hundreds of people in here. Thousands!
Heavy heartbeats pump too much blood yet absolutely no oxygen to my brain.
Just pass out. If you lose consciousness, you don’t have to worry about anything anymore.
The doors crack open again just as the moderator reads off my name and job title from her notes. I want to yell to the back of the room that no one else is allowed in, but then my eyes catch on a glint of silver.
The shine comes from an eyebrow piercing.
Cole Allemand is in the building.
In the conference room.
