Page 16

The message came from the publicist for one of Friday’s featured authors. A family emergency had forced her to withdraw. While the publicist promised to seek a replacement, she couldn’t guarantee success on such short notice.

I understood completely, but it was one more fire demanding attention.

In my tablet’s notebook, I added Find new author panelist to the expanding to-do list, right under Meet with security and Get the list of featured artists for the theater performances.

A knock at my office door interrupted my spiral of worry. I glanced up to see Wade practically vibrating with excitement.

“Hey, boss!” Their enthusiasm radiated like sunshine. “I’ve got excellent news about the live streaming project.”

I gestured them inside and managed a smile, silently praying this wouldn’t add to my workload. “What’s up?”

Wade dropped into one of the chairs across from my desk. “My friends are ready to run the streaming for the event. We’ve got six people confirmed and possibly two more joining. Whether it’s six or eight, we can provide fantastic coverage. The team’s buzzing with ideas to make it awesome for both the festival and their portfolios.”

“Excellent work pulling that together so quickly.”

Wade’s enthusiasm dimmed. “There’s just one tiny hiccup. They can manage transportation, but accommodation is tricky with all the hotels booked solid.”

Of course, there had to be a catch.

“Right. I’ll see what I can do.” I kept my voice steady, not wanting Wade to sense my mounting stress. “Perhaps we could reach out to locals with spare rooms? We could offer festival perks in exchange.”

Wade nodded eagerly. “I’ll compile a list of potential hosts. Olivia and I can work with some other volunteers to brainstorm options.”

“Perfect. I appreciate you taking that on.” Relief washed over me at their initiative. “Could you send me details about any equipment the team needs? I want to ensure we’re prepared.”

“No worries there. They’ve got their own gear or they’re borrowing from school. Plus Maplewood’s wireless network is solid.” Wade bounced to their feet.

“You might have just saved my morning.”

“Happy to help. I’m off to find Olivia. See you at the security meeting this afternoon.”

My stomach clenched at the reminder. I still needed to prepare for that. “Yes, see you there.”

After Wade departed, I sank back in my chair and closed my eyes. The library’s silence enveloped me, but my thoughts remained loud. Despite the tower of tasks awaiting my attention, my mind drifted back to Ethan.

That spark when our eyes met, the unexpected flutter in my chest.

It was ridiculous.

Ethan and I were opposites in so many ways, and he wasn’t even my type. Yet something in the vulnerability he’d displayed, in his admission of anxiety, had made me truly see him.

Perhaps for the first time.

Had I been so blinded by my preconceptions of who I’d expected him to be?

Another knock at the door cut short that unsettling thought.

Before I could respond, Mickey peered inside.

“Hey. Thought you could use this.” He extended a cup in my direction. “I come bearing hibiscus tea and updates about festival food.”

“Just what I needed. Come in.”

Mickey settled into the recently vacated chair, his eyes widening at the chaos spread across my desk. That subtle reaction was his only comment on the disorder.

“You’ll be pleased to hear that I’ve organized the food vendors—which ones will have booths in the park and which ones will set up in front of their establishments.”

“Wonderful. Can you forward that to Olivia for the program she’s assembling?”