“Sí, lo sé.”
Tito squeezed Felix’s forearm firmly and withdrew his hand. They resumed eating, each man occupied with his own thoughts for a long time. Felix wasn’t convinced he should ask Jo out. It was still unprofessional as long as they worked together. If anything, he was reminded that friendship was just as meaningful as a romantic relationship. Crushes came and went, but Jo liked being his friend, and he liked being hers. He needed that. Maybe what they had wasn’t the rare, beautiful thing Tito had described, but it was still worthwhile. Still important and good.
“You feel better?” Tito asked as he sopped up runny egg yolk with his toast.
“Sí. Thank you for listening.”
“You forgot my book this week. I need something to keep me entertained.”
Felix groaned, but it was mostly for show. “I said I’ll bring it tomorrow.”
“That doesn’t help me today, now does it?” Tito quirked an eyebrow at Felix and then burst out laughing. Felix joined him.
Jo’s pager buzzed against her wrist. She peeked at the face of the watch-like device, read “Front desk: Nonurgent,” and smiled to herself. She let Sharon know she was taking a short break and wound through the halls to the lobby. Felix was standing near the desk, one hand in his back pocket while he typed something on his phone with the other.
“Heading out?” Jo called.
Felix grinned and lowered his phone. “Yeah, off to run some errands.”
“Where’s Tito?”
“Probably sound asleep already,” he replied with that high-pitched chuckle of his. “I have it on good authority that he always takes a long nap after our brunches.”
“I can’t wait until I’m retired,” she said longingly. “Will you let me know how it goes with the guy from Stan’s tomorrow?”
“Sure, I’ll email you.”
“Make it extra formal for me.”
“As thou commandeth.”
She made a face. “Oh God, I take it back.”
Felix gave her a sly grin that sent her pulse skyrocketing. He backed toward the front door. “Too late, Jo. You asked for it.”
“I take it back, though!” She took a few steps toward him, but he backed up faster.
“No take backs!”
And then he was out the door, jogging toward his car and glancing back at her over his shoulder. As if she might chase him. If she hadn’t been at work, with Leo looking on, she totally would have.
From: Felix Navarro
To: Jo Rainier
Date: Monday, May 13, 2024, 2:17 P.M.
Subject: On the Subject of Stan’s
Dear Ms. Rainier,
Pursuant to the agreed upon action item resulting from our most recent conversation, please find below a brief summation of my telephone meeting with one Mr. Charlie Ross, Manager of Stan’s Bar in Ashville, Kansas.
He said no.
He informed me that Ashville Community College hosts periodic community outreach days, wherein nonprofit groups from Butler County, and frequently Wichita and Topeka, advertise their events and programs.
I will be investigating this potential new avenue for advertising later this week, as my bandwidth allows. If you desire, I can keep you abreast of my progress in this matter.
Sincerely,
Mr. Navarro, MI
~
Felix Navarro, MI
Junior Librarian, General Services
Butler County Library District — Ashville Public Library
From: Jo Rainier
