part0019

“It’s the caterers for the ball on the weekend,” Lexi said. “They can’t get ahold of the company that’s supplying the ice sculptures. This is ridiculous! Why do we even need ice sculptures?”

“You know how it is,” April said. “The more extravagant the event is, the more we can charge for tickets. And the more people will donate.”

“I have an idea. Why don’t we skip the ball altogether and donate the money from the funds we’d save instead?”

“I don’t think the association that’s funding the ball would go for that. Those rich old ladies need an excuse to throw a party.”

“Then they should organize it themselves,” Lexi grumbled. “I wish we could throw one of these parties to raise funds for the library.”

“If only we weren’t so pressed for time,” April said. “ These things take all year to organize. Plus, we need the money to fund an event like that in the first place.” She sighed. “At least the online fundraiser is going strong.”

After April’s TV interview, things had picked up. Apparently, she had started a discussion, and people from West Heights and the rest of the city were weighing in with their opinions. And April herself was getting a lot of attention. Friends and strangers had even sent her messages of support.

She opened up her social media page to check on things, and groaned. “Not again.”

“People keep leaving hateful comments. First, it was on the library page, and now it’s on my page too. Look at this one. ‘You should be grateful that Oasis is cleaning up all the trash that lives in West Heights.’ And it just gets worse from there. Who is this person and why do they care so much?”

“Ugh.” Lexi screwed up her face. “It must be some online troll. I get them on my blog all the time. They seem to get off on harassing people, all while hiding behind the anonymity of a computer screen.”

“Welcome to the internet, where people can be assholes without consequences.” Lexi came over to April’s desk and pointed to a little red button at the corner of her screen. “You can report the comments and block him.”

April clicked the button and sent off a report. “This isn’t even the worst of it. Just yesterday, someone posted a misogynistic tirade on my page. It barely even had anything to do with the library! I don’t understand how people can be so nasty. ”

Lexi squeezed April’s shoulder. “Are you going to be all right? Do you want me to take over the social media stuff for you?”

“It’s okay,” April said. She was a grown woman. She wasn’t going to let some online bullies get to her. “I can handle it.”

“Let me know if you change your mind,” Lexi said. “In the meantime, I’m going to grab a coffee before the meeting with Vicki.”

Right . April had been so distracted by the unsettling comments that she’d forgotten all about it. After April’s TV interview, Oasis had backpedaled, stating that they were still negotiating with the library representatives. The next day, Vicki’s assistant called April to arrange another meeting. She didn’t give any details, but April was hopeful.

Five minutes later, April got up and headed to the meeting room. It was all the way at the other end of the building, and she got lost in her thoughts as she walked.

April jumped, her hand flying up to her chest. “Vicki. You scared me.” The blonde-haired woman stood next to her, that irritatingly sexy smile on her face.

April shushed her and glanced around. They were alone. “You’ll get it when I’m ready.” She continued toward the meeting room.

Vicki placed her hand at the small of April’s back. “You know I don’t like to wait.”

Heat spread up April’s cheeks. “What would happen if I didn’t send you a picture? ”

One look at Vicki’s face told April that she wasn’t messing around. It only tempted April more. One of these days, she was going to test whether Vicki would actually follow through on her threats. But not today. She had already taken a photo, she was just waiting for the right moment to send it.

Just before they came into view of the meeting room, Vicki pulled her hand away. April’s back tingled where Vicki had touched her.

April and Vicki entered the room and took their places at opposite ends of the table. They were the last to arrive. Lexi gave April a strange look. April avoided her gaze.

“Sorry we’re late,” Vicki said. “April and I were having a very interesting conversation.”

April ignored Vicki’s comment. “Let’s get started.” Surreptitiously, she placed her phone in her lap and tapped the screen, sending off a message.

Right on cue, Vicki pulled out her phone and glanced at it under the table. Her gaze flicked up to April, the thirst in her eyes hidden from all but April.

“Vicki?” April said. “You called the meeting, is there something you’d like to share with us?”

“Yes.” Vicki shoved her phone in her pocket and cleared her throat. “Given the recent attention that the Oakmont Street Library has been getting in the media, Oasis Developments has decided it’s in everyone’s best interests to delay the Oakmont Street project until a more suitable location for the library can be found.”

April’s heart leaped. It worked. It actually worked. “That’s great,” she said. The library wasn’t safe just yet, but this was the best outcome they could have hoped for. Now they had enough time to figure out what to do.

“I’ve been talking to the head of our corporate sponsorship program, and he’s going to see if we can spare some funds,” Vicki said. “It won’t be much, but it should help.”

“Yes. And now that we have more time, we can raise even more. And there are some federal grants we can apply for.”

The two of them went back and forth, discussing options, the others around the table chiming in now and then. Vicki took plenty of notes and seemed to be taking their feedback and suggestions seriously.

Almost an hour later, the meeting came to an end. As everyone filed out of the room, April told Lexi she’d catch up with her, and stayed in her seat. April didn’t have to ask Vicki to stay. Once the room had emptied, Vicki sat down next to April.

“This is amazing!” April said. “Why didn’t you tell me about it sooner?”

“It wasn’t a done deal until this morning. I had to get approval from the board. They weren’t exactly pleased with my proposition, but I convinced them that going forward now would be a PR disaster.”

April beamed. She was so happy, she wanted to throw her arms around Vicki’s neck and kiss her, to run her fingers through those blonde locks, to bury herself in Vicki’s skin.

But the room they were in had glass walls and everyone could see them. Already, they were sitting much too close.

“So do I,” Vicki replied. “I’ve been putting out fires all week because of your little campaign.”

“I’m not. Even I have to admit, it was a smart play. I’d be commending you if I wasn’t the target of this. You should be working PR at a Fortune 500 company.”

“I would never take a job like that in a million years,” April said.

“Of course you wouldn’t,” Vicki said. “You’re too busy crusading for the greater good. Your talents are wasted here.”

“I’ll see you later.” April was uncertain of whether it was a question or a statement.

“Oh, I’ll be seeing you,” Vicki said. “As soon as everything cools down, you’re coming to my apartment, and I’m going to give you a taste of the rest of my collection.” She straightened up her blazer. “By the way, that picture you sent me. Did you take it at your desk?”

Vicki shook her head. “You’re a bold woman.” With that, she turned and headed for the exit.

April made her way back to her office. It was almost five p.m., and it was Friday. All the excitement of the week had been taxing. April wanted nothing more than to go home and have a long soak in the bath. She was looking forward to doing absolutely nothing for the entire weekend.

When April reached her office, Lexi was sitting with her feet up on her desk and her arms crossed.

She gave April a cold look. “Have a nice talk with Vicki, did you?”

“I thought you hated her. Now the two of you are acting like best friends?”

“We’re working together. I’m just being friendly. It’s nothing more than that.” April didn’t like lying to her friend, but Lexi had made her feelings about Vicki very clear. “What do you have against her, anyway? Did she try to steal some girl you were chasing?”

“Like I said, I don’t like the way she treats women,” Lexi replied.

“That has nothing to do with our jobs and the library. You’re being unfair.”

“You’re actually defending her now? Unbelievable.” Lexi muttered something else under her breath that April didn’t catch.

“I’m angry because you’re falling for her act.” Lexi picked up her bag and grabbed her coat. “Vicki Blake can’t be trusted. She’s just going to end up screwing us over.” Without another word, Lexi stormed out of the office.