Vicki stood up, her eyes darkening. “I am working with you. Why do you think I came to this meeting personally instead of sending someone else? I don’t usually spend my workday traveling halfway across the city to meet with a bunch of librarians.”
“A bunch of librarians?” April fumed. “So we’re not worth your time? I’m not worth your time?”
?
??That’s not- Will you just listen to me? I did what I could. I stuck my neck out for you. If it wasn’t for me, Oasis wouldn’t have even considered helping out the library. I’ve worked my ass off on this project. If it goes smoothly, I’m looking at an executive level promotion. And I’m risking it all because of you.”
April scoffed. “I’m sorry that I’m standing in the way of you getting a bigger paycheck.”
“It’s not about a paycheck,” Vicki said through gritted teeth. “My job is more than just a job to me. But it’s clear there’s no point trying to make you understand.”
“I’m not the one lacking empathy in this situation. You’re the one who’s rolling into a neighborhood that’s hundreds of years old, displacing its residents and turning it into yet another exclusive playground for the wealthy. But I wouldn’t expect someone like you to understand.”
Vicki’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Someone like me?”
“That’s right,” April said. “I know all about you, Victoria Blake.”
Vicki recoiled. Had April hit a nerve?
But a moment later, Vicki regained her composure. “You’ve obviously made up your mind about me.” Vicki picked up her folder. “I’m done trying to reason with you.”
April shook her head. “I can’t believe I actually thought this meeting would make a difference.”
“You really don’t get it, do you? This project is happening. In a few months, this building is going to be torn down. You’re naive if you think there’s anything you can do about it.”
April put her hands on her hips. “Don’t think I’m going to roll over that easily. I’m going to keep fighting for the library until it’s a pile of rubble. And I’m going to keep fighting you.”
“You can try,” Vicki said. “But you’re wasting your time.”
“Just go,” April said. “Get out of my library.”
Vicki tucked her chair under the table. “If you come to your senses and decide you want to work with me instead of fighting me, let me know.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Suit yourself.” Vicki turned and headed for the door. Before she left the room, she gave April a charming smile. “It was lovely to see you again.”
April closed her eyes and slipped deeper into the bath, letting her head sink under the water. She liked how quiet and peaceful it was, submerged like this, how removed it made her feel from all her problems. The events of the day had left her feeling drained.
Most of all, she was feeling torn about Vicki. On one hand, she was angry. Did Vicki really think Oasis’ offer would placate her? Was Vicki so out of touch, so used to everyone deferring to her, that she thought April would roll over without a fight?
But at the same time, April wondered if Vicki was being honest when she said that she didn’t have any control over the fate of the library. Maybe Vicki was just like everyone else, answerable to someone above her. Maybe April was being too hard on her.
April watched the bubbles of her breath float to the surface. Why the hell was she trying so hard to find a reason to justify Vicki’s actions? Why did April even care about Vicki’s motivations?
She emerged from the water and took a breath. The relaxing music playing on her phone filled her ears and the scent of the rose petal bath bomb hung in the air. But it did nothing to calm her.
Giving up, April decided to try a distraction instead. Maybe a podcast would help take her mind off everything. April reached up to the counter and picked up her phone. She had a message.
It was from Vicki.
Before April could stop herself, she opened the message.
I haven’t received my photo yet today. You have two hours. The clock is ticking.
Every muscle in April’s body tensed. Did Vicki really think April was going to send her a photo after everything that had happened today? She was delusional.
April couldn’t help but feel like Vicki was taunting her. Vicki had never sent her a reminder like this, although, admittedly, it was getting late. The day was almost over, and time really was running out.