Chapter 26
Turns out when you have the kind of money that the Reyeses have, you give hefty chunks of it away on occasion. And not only to strippers. Sometimes you offer a tidy sum to academic institutions.
Which is how I find myself at the massive university that counts Sammy Reyes as one of their illustrious alumni. When his mother mentioned a donation at the solstice party, my minimum wage mind did not properly fathom the quantity they might pen on a check. Apparently, “a little donation” equates to paying for an entire new wing of the library.
The Reyes Wing.
When I asked Sammy why the library—not that I disagreed with their choice—he admitted his mom hadn’t been specific about where she wanted the money to go, so he’d made the recommendation.
Is he funding academic libraries because he knows it brings me joy?
Admittedly, I also find it entertaining to watch Sammy dress up in a sexy-as-hell suit and be greeted like a visiting prince by the board of the university. They shake his hand, they take pictures, they stare at his perfect ass—probably considering if they should kiss it or bite it.
Or at least that’s what I tend to do when I see his butt.
When his fawning fans finally leave us to explore on our own, I take the lead, heading into the beautiful library. I got to tour the place a couple of years ago during an academic conference that was held here. I texted Veronica—an old school buddy—to let her know that I would be stopping by. I find her at the reception desk chatting with one of the student workers.
“Ava! I can’t believe how long it’s been since I saw you.” She grins wide at my approach. “It’s like we don’t even live in the same city.”
Guilt curls in my gut. Veronica is not the one to blame for our lack of quality time, it’s me. Every time she sent me a text about meeting up, I had to turn her down because of the workload sitting on my desk and in my inbox. Or because I had a shift at The Jewelry Box—a pastime I have not shared with my human library friend. I never know how someone is going to react to my stripping, so I tend to keep the fact close to my chest.
“I know. I’m sorry.” My apologies come with a tight hug. “But here I am, ready to drool in envy at your library.“
“Please no. We just got the carpets redone. If drooling could wait until the fall semester when the students overrun us, that would be fantastic.” We share a chuckle, and then I watch Veronica’s eyes flick over my shoulder. Her stare widens when she takes in the man at my back.
“Oh, yes.” I turn and wave the Squid forward. “Veronica, this is Sammy Reyes. Sammy, this is Veronica Martin. We did our library science degree together. And Sammy is here because his family is making a donation.”
“Reyes? You’re the money behind our new archival wing.” The librarian’s curiosity morphs into giddiness. “Oh my gosh, I am so happy to meet you! Thank you so much for that donation.” My friend eagerly holds out her hand to shake his.
Sammy accepts and offers her his charming smile. The one that makes everyone in a fifty-foot radius swoon. I smirk.
“You can thank my parents,” he says. “I am simply the pretty face delivering the check.”
“And how do you know Ava?” Veronica‘s eyes flip between the two of us, interest clear in the uptick of her voice.
I have no idea what response Sammy was planning for this question. I don’t think that he would out the fact that he met me at a strip club. But knowing that Veronica is my friend, he might accidentally let slip a mention of The Jewelry Box—saying he met me at my second job or something like that. The confidence I had sharing the info with his family evaporates in the face of someone in my professional field knowing.
Unfortunately, in my hurry to field the query, I accidentally word vomit.
“We’re seeing each other,” I announce. “Not because he’s rich. Or because he’s good in bed. Although he is both those things.“
Oh my goddess, did I just say that out loud?
Sammy stares at me with a baffled yet slightly delighted expression. “Is that what we’re telling people now?“
My friend presses her fingers against her lips, laughter evident in her eyes.
“No. We’re not,” I growl at Sammy. “That was…I didn’t mean it like that.” I turn my back on him, concluding it’s the sexy suit that has muddled my brain briefly. “Anyway, let’s ignore what I just said. Veronica, you said the carpets were just redone. Anything else new in the library?”
My friend is grinning as she waves for us to follow her. She takes Sammy and me on a tour of the building, pointing out the renovations they’ve started over the summer, including where the Reyes Archival Wing will soon be located. I’m not sure how interesting Sammy finds any of this, but I find it fascinating. One of the reasons that I gravitated towards working at the college where I do now was the look and the feel of the library. When I first visited, it seemed like a cozy, warm place. It was a smaller institution, and I thought that was why the library was also small. It was respected and a comforting place for the students to be.
After working there for multiple years, I now see that the cozy shabbiness was actually lack of funding and my predecessor’s inability to put a shine on something that hadn’t been replaced in decades. Things that likely won’t be replaced in decades to come.
What would it be like to work at an institution like this?
True, this library is bigger than what I originally thought I would prefer. But this is a place that is getting funding and is obviously utilized by the university as a whole.
I recall the enthusiastic way other librarians from well-funded institutions discussed their workday when I attended the conference here. How they described the support that they received from the administration and faculty. No one claimed that their institution was perfect, but on a scale of positive work environment to step above a hellscape, I think mine fell on the lower end. Veronica points out the twenty new computer stations on the second floor, and I can’t help remembering the sight of Rodrigo sweating through his dress shirt as he struggled to fix our ancient printer for the third time in a single week.
“This place is gorgeous.” I sigh out the confession as we descend the main staircase. “I’m not ashamed to say that I’m jealous.”
Veronica gives me a cheeky smile. “And it is causing me physical pain not to say I told you so.”
I roll my eyes. “Well technically you did just say it, so I hope that was a relief for you.”
“Told Ava what?” This comment comes from Sammy, who hasn’t said much up to this point, simply wearing a small smile and letting the librarians geek out.
Veronica glances over her shoulder at him. “I told Ava that there was more job growth and more funding at larger universities than at small private colleges that don’t care so much about their libraries. But she wanted to be a big fish in a small pond.” She turns to me with a scheming sparkle in her eye. “But if you would like to take a swim in larger waters, one of our instruction librarians is going to be going on maternity leave in a few months. You could always put in your résumé for consideration as a temporary replacement.” She digs a gentle elbow into my side. “Give it a try. See what you think.”
There’s a tug in my chest. A longing. The offer is more tempting than I ever expected it could be.
But there was a very important word in her offer: temporary.
“That sounds like you want me to quit my job for one that would only last for a short time,” I point out. “Doesn’t sound like the smartest decision to me.”
“I know it seems that way, but it could turn into a full-time gig.” Veronica leads us back to the front desk. “Or, if you like it, you could just apply at other large institutions. Don’t pretend like working at CFF isn’t draining you dry. I’ve heard from other librarians who worked there, and I know how they treat you.” All teasing has fallen away when she meets my stare this time. “You deserve better than that.”
I can feel a flush pooling under my cheeks, but I hold Veronica’s gaze. “Thank you for letting me know. But I’m making it work.”
She heaves out a sigh, then checks her watch and frowns. “Crap. I have a meeting in ten minutes, and I need to grab some things from my office.” When her eyes lift again, they’re a touch sad but also hopeful. “It was really good to see you, Ava. And I’m not trying to pressure you. But if you change your mind, and you do want to put your name in for that temporary position, let me know. I will back you up with my boss.” She pokes my arm. “And we need to get drinks soon. I have a feeling that you want to unload some major library-related frustration, and you know that I would be the best person to understand everything that you’re going through.“
She’s right. One of the problems of being the only full-time librarian at CFF is that I have no one to commiserate with. Rodrigo isn’t really the chatty, gossiping type.
And even if unloading all this shit to Veronica would give her more ammo for pressing me to leave my job, it would still be nice to tell it to someone who fully understands the fuckery of working in academia.
“Okay. Yes. Drinks. I will text you the nights that I’m free.“
Veronica grins wide and waves. “I’ll hold you to that. It was great to meet you, Sammy. I’m glad that Ava likes you despite you being super rich and really good in bed!” The student worker at the desk giggles, and I reconsider getting drinks.
Maybe I’ll murder her instead.