The Magic of Stories | ONC 2024 shortlist

13 - Paco

When I returned to the library Monday after lunch, I realised how much I loved this job after only a week of working here. The door chime greeted me with its cheerful tune and entering the premises, I felt right at home and eager to start work.

On my way home from the dinner with Dad, I had also decided I wouldn't let myself be pressured to meddle in Conny's affairs by Cat or the mysterious Luca. The first had a dubious reputation in literature at best, and the latter could be a psychopath or something worse for all I knew, despite his cute face and dimples. Not that I really believed it, but my resolution was set. If Conny and Paco were meant for each other, they wouldn't need anyone's help to find out, right?

As usual, destiny had her own agenda.

Paco arrived at two sharp in the afternoon, wearing his trademark faded jeans, a navy shirt and the most beatific smile with his two-o'clock stubble. "Hey, Lynn, how are you holding up?"

I felt my cheeks glow in an unexpected heat wave and tried to hide my embarrassment about the reaction behind my best professional expression. "I'm fine, thanks, getting used to the routine."

"Any trouble with that erratic lamp again?"

Taken by surprise by the question, I tried to remember. When had I been in the classic section last? "I don't think so—not that I can recall." Since I believed the trouble to be connected to our paranormal house guests, I hadn't lost further thoughts about it.

"Great, then we might have solved at least this problem."

"Yes, it seems so." I had no intention of discussing my suspicions that the cause for the flickering light might be of the supernatural kind instead of the electrical. If I went on about ghosts or visitors from the multiverse, this man I'd only met once would think me nuts, and that wasn't an option. "Shall I fetch Conny for the meeting?"

Without waiting for his confirmation, I knocked on the office door before I opened it. "Hey, Paco is here about the exhibition. Do you mind if we join you for a moment?"

"Let's talk at the front desk, so we don't leave it unattended. I'm on my way." Conny saved her file and picked up Marjorie's planner. She was right. One of us was supposed to be available to the library customers during opening hours. Fortunately, there weren't many around yet.

My coworker gave Paco a nod but didn't return his dazzling smile. Amber had been right. Either her mother kept him at a deliberate distance, or she was immune to his captivating aura.

"Fine, let me see what needs doing, Mister Martinez." All businesslike, she placed the planner on the desk and leaved through the pages. A vertical fold formed on her forehead while she ran a finger down a checklist done in Marjorie's neat handwriting, stopped at the end, and looked up. "We should be set on the front of publicity, I think. According to her notes, Marjorie already updated the homepage, mailed the invitations and announced the event to the relevant journalists last week."

Paco ran a hand through his unruly curls and studied the planner over Conny's shoulder. "Marjorie doesn't trust computers, does she? Well, I got contacted by two journalists last Thursday for interviews and also sent them samples of my work. Both promised to publish on opening day."

Great, at least I wouldn't have to worry about public relations on top of anything else—including dealing with a matchmaking cat and an ominous ghost. It seemed the unlikely duo was in for a real challenge if they planned on melting the icy shell Conny hid behind. My resolution to avoid getting involved in their schemes thickened—better to concentrate on my job.

I took a deep breath. "Please forgive my ignorance, but what else do we need to organise? Hanging up the pictures and making canapés for the apéritif?"