Page 78 of Tempting Frey
“Yes. It s-sounds good.”
“Wonderful.”
“The ad s-said you could… help me find an apartment.”
“Oh, yes. We can offer you a one-bedroom above the post office. Um, library. It’s modest but close to the school.”
“P-post office?”
“Sorry. The library used to be a post office. We still call it that sometimes.”
The guy smiled. “I… get it.”
“We can find you a cottage if you prefer, but that might take a few months.”
“That’s okay. An apartment would be great.”
“I can show it to you right after the interview,” Oliver said. He was starting to seem excited, and I was right there with him. Martin Beckett was exactly the kind of guy we’d been looking for.
“We need to talk, of course,” Jesse butted in. Was he going to play hard to get? We needed the guy, not the other way around. Beauville wasn’t crawling with librarians.
“The job is yours if you want it, Martin,” I said.
Jesse threw me a look, but Oliver nodded.
Our new librarian smiled timidly, smoothing a hand down his cheap tie. “That’s g-great. I’d love to work here.”
Oliver left with Martin to show him the apartment since it was only a few steps away from the town hall.
Jesse went to make himself a cup of coffee, but when Oliver returned, he joined us in my office.
“I get why you like him,” he began. “The stutter, though. A teacher shouldn’t have a speech impediment.”
Of course, he went there. I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. “He’s a librarian, not a teacher,” I said, “and kind enoughto help us out as a teaching assistant. Besides, he could express himself just fine. I don’t see a problem.”
“A teacher with a speech impediment or even a disability could be a fantastic role model for the kids,” Oliver stated, his tone sharp. “He’ll show them resilience, inclusivity, and self-advocacy.”
Jesse let out a drawn-out sigh. “Well, it’s your decision, Frey.”
Oliver’s jaw ticked.
“Oliver has been driving this project,” I said, and turned to my treasurer. “What do you think?”
“I think he’s perfect.”
“Then he’s hired. Finalize the papers, and we’ll have him sign them this afternoon.”
Soon after, Jesse left, and Oliver closed the door behind him. He looked at the ceiling, his hands on his hips. The position made his stomach protrude. Sweet mercies, it looked so sexy. He was only seventeen weeks pregnant but looked at least five months along. His belly grew fast.
“Are you listening to me?” he asked.
“I’m sorry. Sorry.”
“You were staring at my belly again, Mr. Mayor.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t help it. You’re so beautiful.”
Oliver blew out a breath. “I can’t be mad at you. I’ll even allow you to kiss my stomach and come on it because you were on my side with Jesse.”
