"Why does he think returning the books earlier would give him a discount of sorts?" Aaron wondered aloud to himself, squinting and frowning. "What does he take me for, a fool? I run the library, for crying out loud."
Clicking his tongue, he turned the page and noted with slight interest his favorite pen was running out of ink. Hmm… either he could stock up on the same pen or invest for a filler to keep the same pen. Which would be wiser?
It was currently close to turning ten in the evening and he was still awake sorting out books, late returned ones, and the borrowed ones for the day seated by the counter. Donna sometimes advised him to hire a part-time worker to help but Aaron still was unsure on that idea. He didn't like the thought of a stranger near his books and his prized collection. It made him shiver unpleasantly.
Which reminded him… there was supposed to be a book sale by the mall and he was thinking of stocking up on new books to appeal to new customers. Lately, the people coming by the library had been dwindling and he was constantly worried if he had to close shop and try to do other things to make ends meet. And if he had run out of customers, he would also lose his home.
What would he do then if his situation came to that?
His rambling thoughts were cut off by a buzz from his phone, Aaron taking a moment to take off his reading glasses and rub his closed eyelids.
When he opened his phone, an involuntary smile tugged his lips upward at seeing a message from Georgina. Finally, she had a phone now and not one or a few stolen. Connor had managed to convince her to buy a new one and it took a lot of persuading on his part but it was worth it and Aaron internally thanked the man for his insistence to make Georgina have her own phone.
George
Outta the house rn
Don't go wastin your time
pourin over papers and shit, eh?
Aaron couldn't help but laugh; just what exactly did she mean? And it wasn't her business if he chose to spend his time checking logbooks. He chuckled, shaking his head.
A sharp rap on the closed glass doors made him look up in panic, heart and body relaxing once he saw familiar features and a large hand waving at him.
Chuckling, Aaron got up from his seat and crossed the room to unlock the doors, revealing the grinning face of one Connor Diaz, his hair windswept and his signature glasses somewhat foggy from the cold. When he exhaled little puffs of air appeared, signifying how near the Christmas season was. He was wrapped in a thick brown coat and a maroon scarf was wrapped snugly around his neck. When Aaron looked lower there was a plastic bag in his hand and his feet were in boots which had a lighter shade than his coat.
"Good evening, Connor," Aaron greeted with a sleepy smile, wrapping his bathrobe tighter around him due to the chill entered his library.
Connor raised his free hand and gave a salute of greeting.
"Evening, Aaron. Still up I see. Got any time for coffee?"
Aaron chuckled and admitted, "If I drink coffee in this late hour I won't be able to sleep. And frankly, I'm more a fan of tea."
Realization dawned on Connor's face and he slowly nodded his head.
"Then how 'bout a walk, eh? Should be good for the legs and blood circulation."
Actually, that didn't sound bad.
Aaron nodded his head and hurriedly went back inside calling out, "Hold on a moment; let me change to warmer and thicker clothes."
"Sure!"
In less than five minutes, both men were out on the streets with Aaron having changed into a wool coat and winter boots, Chip's leash in hand with the small terrier taking step beside them for a walk.
The half-moon hung low in the air, puffs of clouds swirling lazily in the night sky and occasionally blocking the light the moon offered.
"Hmm… strange there're no stars out," Connor remarked, gaze up on the sky.
Aaron followed his gaze and hummed in thought too.
"But at least the moon is out."
"True."
Aaron turned toward Connor's side profile and couldn't help but admire his features, still attractive even in the dark. His spectacles were sharp as ever and sometimes glinted whenever it caught light from a nearby streetlamp.
"What about your wife, though? Isn't she wondering where you are?"
Connor gave a little laugh and regarded him with a glance. "Bud, she was the one who told me to check on you."
Aaron blinked in confusion.
"Why do you have to check on me? I'm perfectly well."
"Yeah I told the girls that but still, they shoved me out the door and locked it behind me. V said she won't let me in if I don't check on ya so here I am."
"Oh I'm so sorry you've been locked out of the house on my account."
Connor waved a careless hand, grinning easily. "It's no problem. I might as well check anyway since I've also been kinda concerned. Like, you haven't been reaching out to us and stuff."
"Ah I should have explained I've been kept away by library duties," confessed Aaron earnestly. He saw a couple a few meters from them, locked in a tight embrace. He turned his eyes away from them to give privacy and caught a mother and daughter drawing images on the sand with sticks. He smiled slightly and turned back to Connor.
Connor was smiling though and didn't seem bothered.
"Nah I get it; it's your work and stuff. 'Course you need to be dedicated. I'll just update the girls later you're alive and well." They both snickered. "And anyway, this was a good opportunity to have some bro time, yeah?"
"Then why in the middle of the night?" Aaron couldn't help but tease good-naturedly, an embarrassed pink blush forming on Connor's cheeks. He laughed. "I'm joking."
"Yeah man I know. No hard feelings or anything."
Connor was so easy to talk to and be around with. He wasn't only charming and attractive; he was a genuinely nice guy who liked to tease and didn't take well to being teased himself. Aaron didn't feel pressured around him and conversation flowed punctuated by comfortable lapses of silence whenever they didn't talk. It was relaxing.
"Oh my God I almost forgot to tell you," Connor said with a gasp, Aaron stopping and looking to him in worry.
"Why what is it?"
Connor looked to him with a gleam in his eyes, grinning.
"Georgina's landed a job!"
His feet stopped on its tracks, unintentionally causing Chip to stop walking and yelp in surprise. Both men turned toward the sound and Aaron apologized at the abruptness before they were both walking again. Still, he leveled his companion with a scrutinizing gaze, almost disbelieving.
"You're serious? George landed a job?"
Happiness and indescribable feelings of elation swirled in his mind and chest, immensely proud and joyful for her. She deserved to have a job as much as anyone else. Being in prison certainly didn't stop her from trying and he was delighted it didn't crush her spirit. He had the urge to whip out and call her to have long conversations about it but reminded himself in this moment she was also celebrating with her best friend.
"Yeah man! Luckily for her the owner's got this philosophy in second chances and he saw Georgina's potential and talent for writing all right so she's starting work by next week. The manager's gonna see her skills and everything before determining her position so we've still got our fingers crossed on that." Unmistakable pride and glee was present in his face and tone.
Aaron sighed in relief and bliss and was quick to assure, "I'm sure George will do great. But really, this is such a momentous day I personally think we should be in their midst to properly celebrate."
Connor linked arms with him and made them turn one-eighty degrees, marching back towards the way they went.
"Boy you're right! Can't let 'em hog all the good liquor and stuff! C'mon Aaron onwards we go!"
They ended up half-sprinting towards the Diaz home, both men out of breath with Chip in his human's arms as he panted to regain breathing. When they reached the threshold to the household loud and girlish giggles erupted from inside; obviously Veronica and Georgina having the time of their lives.
Connor's eyebrow twitched in annoyance and he jammed his forefinger multiple times on the doorbell, Aaron snatching his hand back to stop the noise. "Connor what on earth are you doing? You're annoying them and knowing them both, they won't appreciate it."
Connor merely snorted but before he could say anything, the front door was yanked open and a curly mane of bushy hair greeted them but went straight for the bespectacled man, small but powerful hands clutching at the fabric near the throat and shaking violently.
"Can't ya wait a while, you big stupid oaf?! Nica and I were in the middle of playing Truth or Dare when you decided to jam the doorbell!" Georgina was shrieking, shaking her cousin's whole figure with no intention to stop.
Aaron made to speak up but Chip in his arms barked and Georgina turned to the Yorkie then, dropping the violence to coo over the dog. With her attention elsewhere, it gave enough time for both men to exchange looks and smile at each other.
"Oh man you guys are just in time!" Georgina scampered back inside the house. "We were about to play Twister! You'll come play, right?"
"Sure! Tell my honey buns I miss her, okay?" Connor called out, Georgina waving to show her acknowledgement. Then he turned to Aaron and sighed. "Whew. You got me out of a tight spot there, man. I owe you."
Aaron laughed and followed him inside the house. "It was actually Chip who diverted her attention but I'll still accept any form of payment." He winked playfully, Connor chuckling.
"Sure sure. Now c'mon; that little squirt'll get me if I don't shape up."
And so Aaron spent the night surrounded by friends, laughing and playing games to pass the time and celebrate Georgina's employment.