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“We don’t believe that someone like you should be running the library. You don't represent the family values we hold dear, that we expect of public figures. And while you're not an elected official, you are a representative of this community, nonetheless.”
I suck in a breath, stomach muscles spasming, afraid to ask for clarification. I already dread what I’ve gathered he means from his stupid, convoluted political speak. All he does is beat around the bush, and the image of me beating him with his shiny leather gloves flashes before me. Tempting, but likely it would only prove his point.
“Mayor Malone, please be frank. I want to be sure I understand you. What exactly do you mean about my job?”
I have so many more questions, but I need to know if I’m being fired first.
“Well, while nothing is official about the librarian role…soon, you may no longer have this position. We don’t think you’re the right person.”
A horse couldn’t have kicked me harder in the stomach, and I stagger back in shock. My fingers grip the desk, and I lean on it for support.
“What am I being accused of?”
Suddenly affronted, he slides on his gloves and refuses to look at me. “I don't care to repeat it. It's quite upsetting, especially considering my daughter is involved. She was a victim for lack of a better word. Dorothy would hate me stating it as such, but that is what it is.”
“A victim? Dot?” I press my lips together.
I have to stop any disparaging words I so want to utter about his daughter from tumbling out of my mouth. What is happening? What has Dot done now?
“Mayor Malone, I’m afraid I don’t understand. What do you think I have done?”
“Really? You can cut this innocent act. Everyone knows you’ve been having an affair with Oliver. He’s engaged to my daughter, for goodness’ sake. They’ve been together for years.” He bends and tilts his head to catch my gaze and glowers at me. “She’s pregnant. How could you?”
I feel the rush of blood to my cheeks as shame threatens to burn me alive. It doesn’t even matter that he has the facts wrong. Bordering on a drought, all the saliva in my mouth has dried up.
I struggle to get the words out, to tell him like it really is. “No. No. It wasn’t like that. They weren’t together. The engagement was called off two years before.”
“And you believed that?” He frowns, pity swimming in the depths of his gaze. “Really, Miss Tyler? I thought you were smarter than that. He lied to you.”
“No. No. He’d never do that. And the baby…the baby isn’t his.” Every word out of my mouth is sharp and cutting as shards of glass.
Even as I realize no matter what I say to this man, his mind is already made up, I can’t stop myself from trying to get through to him and make him see the truth.
“Are you really this desperate to believe that too? Another lie.”
“No, but—” Hot and a little dizzy, it seems to me like the world tilts on its axis and nothing is as it should be.
“Stop. Now you’re embarrassing yourself, and frankly, I’m more than uncomfortable. Not that my daughter should have to and yet, she has DNA tests to prove Oliver is the father of her unborn child.”
Just then, Oliver rushes into the library. The sight of him brings a tidal wave of relief at the same time as nausea.
The baby is his? No, it can’t be.
The mayor stiffens and his expression swiftly turns glacial. “Well, if this isn’t proof that we’ve made the right decision.” He flicks up the collar of his coat and shoots daggers at me, then Oliver. “You two deserve each other.”
At this point, I’m ready for the man to leave. He just ripped my life in two, and I can’t take much more of this. But he isn’t done.
He marches up to Oliver, who’s flushed, gaze tumultuous, and says in a strong, commanding tone, “You will do right by my daughter, young man, and we will talk soon. You’re a disgrace.” Without another word, he strides from the library.
Oliver stands several feet from me, looking as ashen and sickly as I feel. He approaches, cautious and shaken. “You know, don’t you?”
I recoil from his outstretched hand. Of all the things he could say, his confirmation of what Bill Malone told me slams into me with the force of a ten-ton truck.
“God, no. Really? How…how could you lie to me?” Tears leak from my eyes. I’m unable to stop them and my vision blurs.
Oliver’s an obscure and grainy outline in front of me both metaphorically and literally. Not only am I not able to fully see him, but everything I believed to be real and solid about this man, no longer feels so. Can I count on Oliver and what we’re trying to build? The barbed question stabs at my heart. This can’t be happening.
I scurry backward as he grabs for me. “Wren, what? I didn’t lie.”
