Page 36 of Marked by the Demigod

"Yes, and on the East Coast. Like...once or twice a week"

"Twice." His assistant mutters.

"Twice a week. You'll get a 30% boost for travel anywhere longer than 3 hours away and I'll see about writing in something bigger next year."

Aimes pauses, glancing between the assistant and him, neither of them making eye contact. "I still get two days off a week, then sure."

Russ claps, and she feels like she just admitted to doing something horrible. "Excellent, can you travel tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow. Not much notice." She blinks.

Russ swivels in his chair. "He quit three hours ago, and he was going to talk to the Librarian Association of Maine." He bounces in the chair, unaware that he’s doing so. "We only have three library systems in Maine. We want more."

Aimes sighs, looks to the unresponsive assistant. "What time would my flight be?"

He types, bored. "Seven fourteen, eight thirty two, or ten twenty eight out of Burbank. The ten twenty eight would only give you one hour to check in and set up. Return flights for the next afternoon at five ten with only one connector."

"Were you gonna be out of luck if I said no?" Aimes blurts out.

"Pretty much." He doesn't look apologetic.

"I'll do the eight thirty two flight," she says, pulling out her phone. Four missed texts, but she texts Trixie rather than reply.

AIMES (4:12 PM): Anyway I can beg an airport ride tomorrow at 7???

Russ swivels back to his desk, in what would be a clear dismissal if he was the type to do that, so Aimes nods at the assistant.

"You'll get the iten shortly." He mutters as she strides out.

By the time she gets back to her beat up car, she's just a smidge bewildered, her mind going into planning mode.

TRIXIE (4:35 PM): This mean no margaritas tomorrow?

AIMES (4:36 PM): I sorta got a promotion?

TRIXIE (4:37 PM): Margaritas tonight?

AIMES (4:37 PM): Totally not up for margaritas yet.

She thumbs the other text messages open, two from Evan asking for techie advice and two from Katya.

KATYA GOVERNMENT (3:47 PM): So I obviously have answers for you now.

And

KATYA GOVERNMENT (4:22 PM): Meet at Flasks?

Aimes leans her head back against the car seat for a brief second.

AIMES (4:40 PM): As long as I don't have to drink. It'll take me an hour to get there.

KATYA GOVERNMENT (4:41 PM): Sure.

She sighs, pressing a hand against her chest, right where the phantom ache still echoes.

* * *

Flasks is empty,devoid of even the blurry bartender, a closed sign flipped at the door. Katya has to unlock the front to let her in, and only the light in the back of the store is on. It's stark, leaving a profoundly uncomfortable feeling like she's walking into an interrogation.

---