The next week passed in a rush of preparations, the upcoming exhibition looming over us and keeping us busy. I wrote and rewrote my speech-until Tuesday before noon, Conny told me to stop. "You have rewritten it so many times, I'm sure you know every potential version by heart by now. Has Paco already called for the trial run?"

"No, and I'm getting worried."

She frowned, but before she could answer, the buzz of the library phone interrupted us. I slipped the headset over my ears. "City library, Lynn speaking. How can I help you?"

"This is Paco, hey Lynn. I just had a call from the print shop. We have to postpone the test run. They run late. Our prints aren't ready yet."

"What do you mean, they run late? We open the exhibition the day after tomorrow." My pulse fastened in rising panic.

"I know, but there's not much we can do. The manager assured me everything will be ready Wednesday evening or Thursday morning at latest. I'll drop by as soon as I can with the pictures. It will be alright, don't worry."

When I hung up, Conny rolled her eyes. "Do we have a major problem, Huston?"

"He says not to worry. He'll be here Thursday morning."

She snorted. "Men—they always say it will be alright. I fear we can't do anything, but hope he's right at this point."

Of course, this didn't help to stop me worrying, and when I found Paco's van parked in front of the library Thursday morning, a stone the weight of a building dropped from my shoulders. The artist was already hauling the large prints into the premises, and I dropped my backpack inside to help him.

"You can't imagine how relieved I am."

"So am I, Lynn. The printer called me last night, and I fetched the pictures after dinner. There wasn't much time to spare."

"At least you're here now, and so are the prints." I picked up one of the smaller packages and he followed me with a larger one. We had all the pictures inside and began unwrapping them when Conny arrived.

"Good morning. I see you're already hard at work."

"We want to be done with the brunt of it when the library opens. And I have another appointment in the afternoon." He helped me get rid of the paper wrapping of the largest picture. "What do you think? Are you still worried they won't fit in here?"

Tempted to hit him in the arm, I stepped back to take in the image of a girl reading on a bench by the river. The branches of a weeping willow tree almost touched the water, and the sun painted highlights onto the tiny wavelets rippling the surface. The girl's face was hidden behind her long hair, but I imagined her being oblivious to her surroundings, lost in the story she enjoyed. "I remember this one from your homepage. But it's so much cooler in this format."

"Marjorie picked this one. She said it shows the genuine spirit and magic of reading. We tried to choose motifs fitting a library."

We placed the pictures where we thought they might fit best, and they were all amazing, but my gaze returned to the girl beneath the willow again and again.

"Do you like this one?" Paco must have observed me staring at it for the umpteenth time.

"Yes, very much so. Could we place it opposite of the reception desk?"

"Sure, why not? If it's your favourite, we should hang it where you can see it best."

Paco kept me busy with the installation until I had to care for our customers. Then he mounted several spotlights to illuminate the pictures. The result looked highly professional. Caught up in the action, it took until lunch for my nerves to act up. Despite both Conny and Paco having read my speech and confirmed it was fine, I couldn't help going through it again and again while eating a sandwich in the kitchenette.

I jumped when Conny touched my shoulder with a worry line on her forehead. "Are you fine, Lynn? You look strained."

A deep sigh escaped my lips. "Just stressed about the ceremony tonight."

"You'll do fine, I'm sure. We have another problem, though. The caterer just called, and it seems their delivery van broke down. They will be late, unless we have the means to pick up the stuff ourselves."

Great, with the pictures here, another hassle threatened to throw over our meticulous schedule. "Can we ask Paco? He said he would be here at four. Perhaps he can fetch the food on his way."

The worry line deepened. "I might call him, I guess."

"Conny, I'll call him if you prefer, but I don't get why you avoid him. He seems like a nice guy."

She closed her eyes, and her face fell. I could have hit myself for raising the topic. "Sorry, I shouldn't—this was inconsiderate. Please forgive me."

She blinked and touched my arm. "No, it's fine, I guess. You're right, he is always helpful. It's just that I'm wary after an experience I had with a few men following Marcel's death. Mister Martinez is innocent, though, and I shouldn't project others' shortcomings on him. Okay, I'll call him and offer him an opportunity to dash in as our knight in shiny armour."

Her last remark made me hope she'd give up her reservation. I didn't know if Cat would accept this tiny step as a win in the matchmaking project, but I was relieved she made it. After a quick call, she gave me a thumbs up.

Minutes past four, Paco arrived, loaded with a tray covered in a white dishcloth. "Where shall I put this?"

I pointed my thumb over my shoulder while I ran the reading card of a customer over the scanner. "In the kitchen corner, I guess."

He nodded and disappeared into the office. I hoped Conny would be fine with my decision. Moments later, they both came out of the room together.

"Lynn, I'm going to help Mister Martinez bring in the rest of the food."

I stood up. "Can I help?"

"No, it's fine. Please, just hold the desk in the meantime. Marjorie insists someone has to be here at all times, and I think it's wise."

Paco held the door open for her. Perhaps this would be the icebreaker Cat was hoping for—and it outdid folding napkins by far. I couldn't do much more.

Soon, our guests began filtering in and my nervousness peaked. Paco was already busy talking to interested visitors, and Conny greeted people she knew from previous events. I tried to go through my speech one last time when she pressed a glass into my hands.

"This should help you relax." She was already gone before I could decline.

I placed the white wine on my desk and pulled a face. A light chuckle made me look up. "You're right to be suspicious."

"Amber, nice that you could make it, and you too, young man."

Her brother shook my hand while his gaze darted through the room. "Is Paco here?"

"Mmm, but I think he's busy with a journalist. I'm sure he will come over when he's done."

The company of the kids helped me get a grip on my anxiety without the doubtful support of alcohol, and when the door opened to let in Becca and Sim, my worries evaporated.

"Hey, girls, so glad you could make it."

A colourful whirlwind, Becca wrapped me in a hug. "I wouldn't have missed that for anything. And who are your companions?"

I could tell by Danny's gleaming eyes my friend had already won his admiration. "That's Danny, our expert on spaceships, and the young lady who gives me moral support is Amber. Danny, Amber, meet my friends Becca and Sim. Becca is a physicist and a true encyclopaedia for science fiction. And Sim is a mermaid."

"Really?" Danny squinted his eyes as he let his gaze wander from her reddish mane worthy of any Disney mermaid to her ordinary legs clad in a pair of faded jeans.

"Lynn is exaggerating. I'm just an instructor for scuba diving."

Amber's face lit up. "Wow, that's cool. Do you think Danny and I could learn it?"

"Sure, I could take you for a try dive, if you are not afraid of the water."

"Amber? Her DNA must be part fish." In the noise of conversation filling the room by now, I hadn't heard Conny approach. "What is my daughter up to now?"

"Mum, Lynn's friend is a scuba instructor. May I do a try dive with her?"

Conny glanced from me to Sim and Becca. The latter put on a winning smile. "I can guarantee that Sim brought even me back ashore, and I'm a lousy swimmer."

"Well, then there isn't much I can say against it, right? But let's discuss this another time. I think our guests have arrived, and it's about time for your speech, Lynn."

"Oh." I'd forgotten about the dreaded moment and the sudden reminder left me lightheaded. "Is Paco around?"

"Over there, still talking to a journalist." He stood by the picture of the girl beneath the willow and winked. I'd better get my wits together for the speech.

Becca, who knew me well, picked up my untouched glass of wine and pulled a metallic ball pen from the pocket. "Are you ready, Lynn?"

Without waiting for my consent, she struck the rim of the glass with the pen. The unmistakable sound called for attention and the room fell quiet as everyone turned in our direction.

Amber bent close to my ear. "You'll do great," she whispered and stepped back

I took a deep breath.

"Dear visitors, sponsors, and guests." Not a brilliant beginning, but I had their attention.

I can't remember much about the next minutes, except that at one point, the audience laughed at a joke I had feared would be weak, and I had to wait for the cheer to die down. When I had finished, they all joined Amber, Becca and Sim in an enthusiastic applause.

I'd done it. Paco's hug came as a surprise, but he didn't have time to see my cheeks burn as he turned to address the audience himself.

Amber grinned and pointed my attention over to the children's section. Luca leaned against a shelf and winked, a tiny smile on his lips.

"Isn't he gorgeous?" Amber batted her lashes, and her brother rolled his eyes. Luca observed us, his smile broadening. But Paco had reached the end of his speech, and amidst the clapping, Conny waved us over to help carry out the snacks. With the help of Becca and Sim, we had the buffet set up in no time.

Relieved the hard part was over and ready to enjoy the rest of the evening, I placed a plate of vegetable sticks on the front desk while Conny already refilled glasses.

Amber took Becca's arm. "Shall I show you around?"

"Great idea."

Sim took Danny's hand. "Come, let's go exploring."

The boy looked up at her and nodded. "Shall I show you my drawing?"

"Is it on display here?" Sim raised her brows. "Then I want to see it first, of course."

I watched them amble over to the children's corner while Becca and Amber plunged into the crowd to tour the exhibition.

Conny sent me a quick glance. "Thanks for inviting your friends. Seems my worries the kids would be bored were unfounded."

"Sim is great with kids. I'm sure Danny will enjoy himself."

With a smile, I turned back to my job of refilling glasses. When everyone seemed happy and the guests were talking or studying Paco's work, Conny touched my shoulder. "I'll fetch a few more bottles from the cooler and cut up another loaf of bread. Can you handle this alone for a moment?"

"Sure, don't worry."

I let my gaze wander over the crowd and spotted Becca's rainbow hat in front of a picture at the back of the library. Beside her, Sim carried Danny on her shoulders to let him see over the heads of the other visitors. Luca had disappeared, and I wondered what he was doing when the chime announced late arrivals. Turning to greet them, the smile froze on my cheeks and I muttered a curse. In the entrance stood Oliver, holding the door for his new flame.