"You say that like it's a bad thing," Din said. His accent was Scottish too, though rougher than Fenella's.
"Not bad at all. I love it." Shira popped a piece of lamb into her mouth and chewed.
"I've heard that you are working with Kaia on something," Din said. "Some highly classified project."
Tony nodded. "I'm a bioinformatician. I analyze biological data, look for patterns, that sort of thing." He shrugged. "It's not as exciting as it sounds."
"It sounds plenty exciting to me," Fenella said. "I tend bar. Not exactly cutting-edge science unless you regard it as social science. You can learn a lot about people when you work in a bar."
Tony's interest was piqued. "Where is that bar?"
"Right here in the village." Fenella grinned. "It's called the Hobbit because it's built like a hobbit home. Come by tonight and check it out. I provide a unique type of entertainment."
"The Hobbit," Tony repeated. "As in Tolkien?"
"The very same."
"So you sing?" Tony asked.
She chuckled. "Badly in the shower. Din plays the guitar, and he sings, but only when he's in the mood. I provide fake psychometric readings. It's more like stand-up comedy than real readings, so don't be afraid to hand me an object. Even if I actually do see something, I will make up something funny instead." She turned to Shira. "You should come too. It's been ages since you've visited, and Tony will need a guide to navigate the natives."
"I've been so busy." Shira made a face. "I had to work overtime. We're digitizing the entire Greek history collection, and my boss is breathing down my neck about deadlines."
"You're a librarian?" Tony couldn't keep the surprise out of his voice.
"Don't sound so shocked." Shira's eyes narrowed playfully. "Wait until I put my fake glasses on. Then I'll look the part."
"No, it's not that. It's just—" He fumbled for words. "You seem so lively. Every librarian I've ever met has been mousy."
"Then you've been meeting the wrong librarians." She tossed her curly red hair over her shoulder. "I work in one of the largest libraries in the city. There's research, and community programs, and plenty of other activities."
There was something captivating about the way her face lit up when she talked about her work, and the way her hands moved expressively to punctuate her points.
"The harem had an enormous library with many rare books," he said. "When it got damaged in the flood, the ladies embarked on a massive restoration project."
Was meeting Shira one more of those coincidences that were not coincidences at all? She was a librarian, and Tula and the other ladies had become experts in book restoration.
Perhaps she could help them find gainful employment restoring books?
"That's a dying art. Only very old and rare books get to be restored." Shira held his gaze, something flickering in her green eyes. Then she smiled, that crooked, asymmetrical smile that made his pulse quicken.
Fenella cleared her throat, breaking the spell. "So, it's settled. Both of you at the Hobbit. Tonight. I'm not taking no for an answer."
"I'll be there," Tony said, then turned to Shira. "Will you?"
She tilted her head. "Are you asking me out?"
The directness of the question caught him off guard, but only for a moment.
"Yes," he said. "I am."
Shira's smile widened, her eyes dancing with that mirth that he was beginning to find irresistible. "Then it's a date. You can pick me up at my house at nine."
"I don't know where you live."
"Check the map of the village on your phone. You can find me there. There is only one Shira in our community."
Tony was hyperaware of Fenella and Din exchanging knowing looks across the table, but he didn't care. He was excited to explore this thing with Shira.
