Turning, she gaped at the man standing there. What was he doing? Why would he sneak up on someone like that? Especially when he knew her past!
“I’m Richard Drews. Remember me from the other day?”
She didn’t reply. She was too busy trying to convince her body that this wasn’t a fight or flight situation.
“I really am sorry. I thought you would have heard me approach.”
Urgh. She probably should have. She’d been overwhelmed by books.
“Um, yes. I remember. Can I help you?”
“Well, I wondered if you still needed a job?” he asked.
Angie felt a leap of excitement, but then wariness filled her. Was it weird that he’d asked her to let him interview her only to turn around and offer her a job after she rejected him?
Was this a ploy to get her to answer questions from him?
“No strings.” He held up his hands. “It’s not actually even for me but for an older relative who needs help with his housework. He’s looking for someone to clean and make meals. That might not be what you’re looking for, but I know it’s a tough job market so I thought I would ask if I saw you again.”
“You are sure he’d want me to help him?”
“Absolutely.” He nodded. “Would you like to meet him?”
She hesitated slightly. She didn’t know this man.
Angie was determined not to live her life afraid of everything. But she was finding that was much easier to say than do.
“Here, why don’t I give you my card,” he said. “I get it. You can’t trust me. But you can look me up if you like. Here.”
He held out a card and she took it, sliding it into her pocket.
“Message me if you want to meet my uncle about the job. Just don’t take too long, okay?”
“Thanks.” She watched him warily as he turned and walked away.
Then she headed over to the librarian. “Hi, I was just wondering if you knew that man.”
“What man?” she said shrilly.
“The one that just left. He was here the other day when I was here.”
The day when she announced that she’d been married to an abusive mafia kingpin.
“I can’t remember every person that comes in here,” the woman said huffily. “Now, I actually have work to do.”
Wow.
No wonder the library was so quiet with someone so cheerful working here.
Angie left with a sigh.
5
Angie sat on the small sofa and stared at the card.
Richard Drews
Psychologist
