“Right.” As Vicki promised, her assistant had called April a week ago to confirm the time and date.
“Hopefully it won’t be a complete waste of time,” Lexi said.
“It won’t be. Vicki promised me she would try to work something out.”
“She promised you?” Lexi asked. “I thought you said you talked to her assistant?”
“Yeah, I did. I spoke to Vicki herself too,” April said, leaving out the fact that she had spoken to Vicki at a BDSM club.
“How did that conversation go? Did yo
u yell at her some more?”
April crossed her arms. “Why does everyone think I’m some kind of tyrant?”
“Who else said that?”
“Eliza.”
Lexi chuckled. “That woman is never wrong.”
“I did yell at Vicki a little,” April admitted. “But then she genuinely seemed to be interested in finding a solution. Maybe we have her all wrong.”
“Seriously? A week ago, you were convinced that she was pure evil. What did she say to you that changed your mind?”
“Nothing. I’m just trying something new. I’m being open to compromise and change.”
“Eliza?” Lexi asked.
“That obvious, huh?” April got up from her desk. “Let’s go.”
They made their way to one of the meeting rooms at the other side of the library. Vicki hadn’t arrived yet, but everyone else had. As well as the library staff, a few community leaders who were involved in programs that took place at the library had been invited.
April greeted everyone, then sat down at the head of the table, with Lexi to her right. She looked out through the glass walls of the meeting room, watching for Vicki’s arrival. Moments later, Vicki appeared, dressed as stylish as ever in a pantsuit and heels. She looked so different than the last time April had seen her, all dressed in leather. But somehow, Vicki managed to look incredibly sexy no matter what she wore.
Vicki spotted them through the glass and strode purposefully toward the meeting room. The head librarian was a few steps behind, struggling to keep up with the long-legged woman.
The two of them entered the room. Vicki apologized for her lateness, then made her way around the table, introducing herself to the staff one by one. When Vicki reached Lexi, the curly-haired woman gave Vicki a stiff, firm handshake. Vicki returned it in kind.
What was that about? Perhaps neither of them liked not being the only lady-killing lesbian in the room. April made a mental note to ask Lexi about it later.
But April forgot all about it when Vicki moved on to her. April stood up and took Vicki’s outstretched hand. As soon as their skin touched, April was transported back to the other night. Suddenly, the room felt foggy. Could everyone see how weak-kneed Vicki made her?
As soon as Vicki let go of her hand, April sat down before her legs could collapse underneath her.
Finally, Vicki took a seat at the opposite end of the table, right across from April, and placed a folder down in front of her.
“Shall we get started, April?” Vicki looked at April expectantly. “Sorry, do you prefer Miss Reid?”
It took April a moment to find her voice. “April is fine.”
“April it is.”
“Uh, yes.” April wasn’t sure if she imagined the suggestion in Vicki’s eyes, but she ignored it. “Let’s get started. Vicki, can you tell us about how Oasis is willing to work with us?”
Vicki flipped open her folder. “You’ll be pleased to hear that Oasis has agreed to lease a property to the library at the same rate the city was paying for this building.”
April frowned. Was it really that easy?