The Librarian And The Witch by Brian Yansky

Author:Brian Yansky [Yansky, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

I thought I was going back to the library and take a nap, but on the way to my apartment, I realized I was hungry. I took Fluffy to the library, thinking the town might not be ready for a hellhound.

I gave Fluffy the run of the place and told him if he read any books, he had to put them back in their places. Perplexed dog look.

He followed me to the door and sat by it looking forlorn. I had seen this look before. Dogs had perfected it over the centuries. Those eyes were saying something along the lines of how could you leave me to a fate worse than death when I have nothing but love for you? I shut the door feeling guilty.

I walked over to the café for dinner. Inside, the cafe was just starting to get the early-birds. Already the smells of baking fresh bread and fried and grilled meat were floating in the air. I was in time to grab a booth and I did.

Olive came over and asked me what she could get me. She didn’t look me in the eye. She had her pad out. I ordered the pot roast. I studied her discreetly as she poured my coffee. She looked tired.

“Are you all right?” I said.

Olive finally looked at me. She leaned in and spoke softly. “I wanted to say I’m sorry for how I acted the other day. I know I was kind of a bitch. I was upset, but I—I was—you know. You’ve been good to me and I respect you. I hope we can be friends.”

“I was just surprised,” I said. “I thought everything was good.”

“It was,” she said. “I don’t want you to think I’ve been faking it or you misread something or it wasn’t real. It wasn’t like that. I just have to move on. I’m doing what I have to do. It’s no one’s fault.”

“Thanks for saying that,” I said.

“It’s the truth. I hope we can be friends.”

I sipped my coffee, hesitating. “That’s a tough one. If we’re friends, then I have to tell you the truth. You’re making a mistake. I know you don’t love Sir Ronald. Friends don’t let friends marry the wrong man.”

Olive bit her lip, looking down at the counter. “You know I have to do this. Can’t you just let me be?”

“Not if we’re friends. I would be a bad friend.”

“I have to be an adult about this. People get married for all kinds of reasons. Love is a fairy tale. I can’t afford it. My father comes first. So, if you can’t understand that, then I guess we can’t be friends.”

“It would relieve me of my responsibility. I wouldn’t have to keep telling you that your father wouldn’t want you to throw your life away for him or that you’re going to be miserable with a man like Sir Ronald.”

“You don’t even know him.”

“I feel like I do.”

“I’ve made my choice,” Olive said sharply. “Nothing you say will change my mind.

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