37. Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Ryan
F estival day had arrived. I woke up knowing my fate was sealed. Either I was going to remain the library director or the doors would have to close in six months. We’d received some help from the state but it wasn’t nearly enough to keep us going.
Throwing the blankets off me, I pushed myself to get out of bed. Meghan had made me swear I wouldn’t look at anything regarding the event because of how the stress was affecting me. I was actually grateful she was so understanding, and yes the last two weeks had been easier on me by not looking for updates.
However, now that the day had arrived, I was more stressed and nervous than any day in the months leading up to this. The worst part was knowing Emily likely wouldn’t show and, fuck, I wanted her there. She made me feel at peace. Her presence would make this whole day better. But with the way the town was still whispering about us, I didn’t have high hopes she’d surprise me by showing up.
I showered, dressed, ate breakfast, and drank coffee in hopes of starting my day off right, even with the fear that it wasn’t going to turn out well once it was all said and done. The numbers hadn’t seemed promising last I checked two weeks ago. But what could have been done in those two weeks to change things?
We needed some kind of miracle.
After checking the weather, which was supposed to remain good through the day, I left my house. The sun had barely risen and the roads were quiet the entire drive in. It was the thing I loved the most about small town living. The only time there was traffic was when cows blocked the road. Even when the farmers needed to pull their tractors out on the road, it wasn’t a big of a deal, and passing them was easy enough.
I didn’t miss the blare of horns, sirens, or the flashing lights blinding you in the city. I liked seeing the stars in the sky every single night. Sure, I was starting to see the downside to living in such a small town, but at least here I didn’t feel lonely like I had in the city. Here I had friends who always had my back. Here I had Emily, if I could win her back.
As I drove I made a promise I wouldn’t leave. No matter what I was staying in Maple Creek. All I had to do was get through this day first. I’d figure out what I’d say to convince Emily not to break up with me, and how I was going to make living here a possibility, tomorrow.
Arriving early at the library, I parked and got out of my car with my bag. There were people already here setting up the tables and signs. I unlocked the door to the library and walked in. Turning on all the lights, I left the main part locked up. This way the people outside could come in to use the facilities if needed, but no one would be in the main part for the day. Betsy, her sister Ruby, Trudy, and Sadie were all going to be here today to help out with the festival. My friends would be here soon, too. Meghan would probably show up with them.
After putting my bag in my office, I locked up the offices and exited the library. Turning toward the surrounding park, I walked down the path. I walked through the park to see if I could help out at all. Tables had been set up on either side, meaning my friends had probably already arrived. We were having people walk the path and the entire perimeter of the park, before eventually landing in the center where our panels would be. Meghan had set it up so the most popular authors would be toward the end of the path to give some smaller authors the chance to spark the interest of our attendees who may not know of them.
I spotted Trey by the stage he had finished building a few days ago as he was putting the finishing touches on the tables and plugging in the electronics.
“Hey man, you’re early,” Trey said as I walked toward him.
“Yeah, well, slept like shit last night and nervous about today. Meg made me promise not to check anything about the event, and she’d handle it.”
“Oh yeah, she handled it,” Trey said with a smirk I didn’t quite understand.
“What the hell happened?” I asked.
“You’ll see soon enough.” Trey nodded his head toward the parking lot, and I turned to look.
My sister was getting out of Meghan’s car along with the only person I actually wanted to see, Emily. I barely registered the chuckle that came from Trey as my feet started toward her. Meghan was pulling a foldable wagon from her trunk, and setting it up, before the three began loading boxes into it.
Emily spotted me and stopped as I approached. Out of the corner of my eye, Meghan and Lacey glanced at me before Meg pushed a book into Emily’s hands.
“We’ll let you two talk,” Meghan said quietly, as she gripped my sister's arm, and pulled her away with the loaded wagon.
My sister complained about wanting to see what happened, but Meghan shushed her. Emily smiled softly at me. Once again she took my breath away, wearing the sundress with the little flowers that reminded me of the time I bent her over my desk. Her hair was up in a ponytail, and she stared at me with wide sad eyes, but a small glimmer of hope shined in them.
“Hey,” she whispered.
“Hey,” I croaked before I cleared my throat and repeated myself.
She glanced down at the book in her hands, and my eyes followed hers as she said, “I wanted you to have this. Read the dedication.”
The book had a large ARC sticker on the cover. I took the book from her and opened it to the dedication page.
To my brainstorm buddy,
Thank you for all your help with market research and the unwavering support you’ve given me. You’re the reason I’m able to take this next step in my career.
P.S. I looked it up, and yes, penis enlargement is a real thing.
I laughed out loud and fixed my eyes on her in question. “What does this mean?”
“Meghan didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“I’m a signing author. I went public and announced I was attending this event.” She jutted her chin out toward the event, and I glanced behind us to where Meghan and Lacey were standing by a table and watching us.
“You went public?” I questioned, “I didn’t mean you should. I didn’t want to pressure you.”
“Ryan, I needed that pressure. I needed someone to push me, or I would have spent my entire life hiding. I don’t want to hide who I am, or hide who I’m dating anymore. Let them see. Let them talk. I know the truth, and so do those closest to me. Who cares what the rest of them believe?”
“Who’re you dating?” I asked.
“You.” She smiled brightly, and heat rose in my cheeks, “I love you, Ryan.”
My eyes widened, and I could only hold back for a second. My hand went to her neck, and my lips slammed against hers. Her hands gripped my shirt and pulled me closer.
She kissed me back, and everything was right in the world. The weight I’d been holding on my shoulders lifted off of me as I melted into this kiss with her. I didn’t need her to go public with everything, just me, and she had agreed. She wanted to be with me, and wanted the world to know. Okay, maybe not the world because who would care about us, but at least our small town would know.
Backing away, I asked, “Are you sure?”
“Too late for second guessing, but yes. I’m positive.”
She pulled me back down to kiss her. Emily was mine-all-mine, and I was hers-only-hers. I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight to me. For the first time in two and a half long weeks, everything felt right again.
“Wait, is that dedication in all your books?” I asked as we separated.
Emily laughed, “Don’t worry the P.S. is still between you and me. Not even Meghan got to see it.”
I breathed out a sigh of relief as I wrapped my arm around Emily’s shoulders and led her to her table where Meghan, Trey, and my sister were helping to set everything up for her. It didn’t matter anymore how well this event did or didn’t do. We’d tried our hardest, and in the end I would always have Emily.