In your face, Eden Serviteurs.
William leaned back in his seat, drowsiness tugging at his brain. They’d eaten far too much at the buffet, and now he was paying the price. Doomed to be a zombie for the rest of the day.
The clerk explained everything to Adathan, gesticulating enthusiastically as if he were telling him about the latest epic he’d read. This man loved his job; there was no doubt about it.
William would never be passionate about working for an insurance company, but he hoped his new responsibilities might make it more tolerable. He’d be developing new skills, which was something to look forward to, and it certainly wouldn’t hurt to have a boss who had faith in him.
Adathan stood up. “Thank you very much for your time.”
Judging by the look in the man’s eyes, he would have been happy to give Adathan awhole lotmore of his time.
William rested his hand on the small of Adathan’s back as they walked away. “Did you want to borrow some books today?” he whispered.
“Yes.” Adathan stopped and looked at him. “Unless you would rather return home?”
“Nah.” William smiled, gently nudging him forward.
They walked past several aisles of children’s books and headed for the stairs to the second floor. Adathan stopped again, gasping softly as he looked up.
William followed his gaze to the gigantic art piece hanging in the center of the U-shaped staircase. It wasn’t his first time here, yet he’d somehow never noticed it before.
Dozens of metal books floated midair in an intricate spiral, each open at a different angle, as if frozen mid-fall. Light from the skylight glinted off their sharp pages, scattering reflections across the walls.
“It’s magnificent,” Adathan whispered.
“Yeah. It really is.”
William felt his shoulders relax as they reached the second floor. Panoramic windows let in the late afternoon rays, bathing the space in a warm, welcoming glow. Most seats were occupied, but everyone appeared to be suspended in time, fully absorbed in their activities. It was such a stark contrast with the other places they’d visited today—like a cozy hideaway from the day-to-day rat race.
William should come here more often.
“Go ahead,” he whispered, spotting an unoccupied armchair. “I’ll sit over there and send Oliver our pictures while you pick out your books.”
Adathan smiled, gave William’s wrist a quick squeeze, and disappeared between the shelves.
William placed his backpack on the floor and dropped into the armchair, sleepiness instantly washing over him.
What a day.
He didn’t regret a minute of it.
He took out his phone and sent Oliver every picture Adathan had taken today. Even the selfies. Even that one picture Adathan had snapped when William had chocolate trickling down his chin. The traitor.
Man, that dessert had been so good, though.
William smiled as he put his phone away. He suppressed a yawn, letting his gaze wander across the shelves as he relaxed into the upholstered armchair. Maybe he should borrow some books, too. It’d be a better use of his time during his commute than doomscrolling on his phone.
But he was so, so comfortable.
He suppressed another yawn and looked up at the sign of the section he was sitting in.
Mystery
Well, wasn’t that convenient.
William extended his arm and grabbed the book closest to him. The cover showed a cat in a detective’s trench coat holding a woman in denim shorts so tiny they were practically panties—not what William had expected, but certainly not a letdown. The artwork was incredibly detailed, especially the cat’s fur. If the author had put as much care into the writing as the cover, it could only be good.
“The Mangy Detective,” he mumbled to himself.
