Page 36 of Overdue

I laugh. Did I mention I’ve always adored Eliot?

The head of the council, Arnold Chrisman-Mr. Chrisman, to anyone who has taken high school algebra in the last twenty years-asks the crowd to find their seats.

“You’d better get up there. Hit it out of the park, Reed.” With a wink, Eliot heads for a seat in the back. I take the one next to Gran in the front.

I try to sit patiently while the council deals with the usual business. I’m too wound up to not fidget. As if an hour of droning on about things like how to plan a more efficient trash collection route or what to do about the town’s feral cat population isn’t bad enough, according to the agenda, I’m presenting last. Great. Plenty of time to work myself into a full-blown panic. At least Chad looks like he’s ready. He sits calmly, holding his laptop.

I glance over my shoulder to the back of the room for the hundredth time. Eliot flips me off. Typical. The seat next to her is still empty, however.

I should have asked Austen to come personally, instead of just assuming she’d show up. We’ve been getting along so well, though. I didn’t want to push my luck.

In my mind, the wrestling match on the kitchen floor had been spectacular. But maybe it wasn’t so great for her. Maybe I pushed too far. This could be her way of telling me, once again, to fuck off. If so, she’s gotten a lot more subtle.

“Reed,” Mr. Daily whispers. “They’re ready for you.”

I stand on shaky legs. He gives me a reassuring pat on the back as I start for the lectern. After giving each of the council members a packet of information they’ll need to make their final decision, I step to the microphone.

“Good evening. I’m Reed Campbell of Daily’s Landscape and Nursery. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to convince you of why you need us to design the town square.” I nod at Chad. He nods and turns to his computer.

I take a moment to scan the room. My gaze settles on the beautiful, feisty woman sitting next to Eliot. I smile at her. Austen smiles back with a thumbs up. It takes a monumental effort, but I refocus my attention back on the presentation.

“Our design divides the square into sections. A little something for everyone, you might say.” Several council members chuckle softly. Seems like a good sign. “In the center, we’ll plant a large oak tree to provide shade. To the north, we’ll build a stage.” I work my way through the presentation. Chad matches my pace with the visuals of each section perfectly.

When my time is up, I thank the council and return to my seat. Gran pats one of my thighs and Mr. Daily the other. Are they trying to tell me it was good or reconcile me to the fact that, at least, I tried? The meeting ends and the room quickly begins to empty.

“That was a fine job, Reed.”

“Thank you, Mr. Dailey.”

“Simply superb. I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Gran.”

What I want to know is what Austen thought. I appreciate the encouragement from my boss and grandmother, but it isn’t the same. Neither of them has eyes I could drown in or commands my attention with just a word as she can. Mr. Daily pushes Gran’s chair toward the door.

“Congratulations. You gave the best of the presentations.” Austen appears next to me.

“Do you think so?”

“I do. The visuals made all the difference. The council woke up and paid attention. That’s no small feat. You should see them when I present the library budget.”

I want to sweep her into my arms and kiss every inch of her in happiness. She’s close enough. It wouldn’t be that hard. But, for once, I try not to do something stupid. Yet. Maybe later.

“Thanks. I couldn’t have done it without your help.”

“Oh, barf. Y’all are like watching Disney porn. They stare at each other a lot, but nothing ever happens.” Eliot makes a gagging noise and leaves to join the few people still loitering outside. We watch her step outside.

“Your sister might need an intervention. Can that be done for a bad attitude?”

“Probably nothing a good lay won’t help,” Austen mumbles. She turns pink when I grin at her. “I said that out loud, didn’t I?”

“Yep.”

“I should go.” Austen walks outside to join Eliot. Taking a moment to school my features, I follow. I have so many good comebacks to that. It seems a shame to keep them to myself. But there’s no reason to get slapped by two women. Eliot is probably more of a puncher.

* * *

Days go by before I hear from the town council. It’s a Tuesday when my boss finally calls. I’m working on a simple job across town that only takes one man. Standing at the edge of the yard, I’m dripping and muddy from repairing a sprinkler system when my phone rings.

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