M.O.E.. Linda Blum
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reluctantly sat down. The only good thing about this meeting was the restaurant. It was small, but quaint. Every table had fresh cut flowers. The chairs were cushy so when you sat down you melted into them, and the background music was low and soothing, not like some restaurants were you couldn’t hear yourself over the blaring music.
“I wasn’t going to, but I thought I’d better so that I can tell you personally that I didn’t appreciate your call and that I’m not interested in you.” Hope seethed.
Jonathan chuckled. “Your words mean nothing. It’s your actions that say it all.”
Hope sighed knowing it wasn’t going to be easy to get through to this guy. She had called Judy for backup before leaving home and asked her to come and sit somewhere close in case Jonathan tried to do his M.O.E. thing again and she needed rescuing. Hope nonchalantly looked around to see if she could see her friend.
“Looking for someone?” Jonathan asked.
“No,” Hope replied nervously. “I’ve never been here before and was just checking it out.”
The waitress appeared, to take their orders. Hope wasn’t very hungry so she opted for a fruit salad and toast, while Jonathan ordered a hardy breakfast. Once the woman walked away Jonathan began his antics.
“You look beautiful,” he cooed.
Hope purposely outfitted herself in track pants, a bulky top, and wore no makeup in hopes of discouraging him from coming on to her. Obviously her efforts were not working.
“Oh, please.”
Jonathan moved closer to her.
“It doesn’t matter what you wear, I already felt your body and know that you are one sexy lady.”
Hope could feel her body tingle in response as he stared into her eyes. She quickly looked away and tried to shake off this feeling. Judy told her to put a block around herself in order to thwart off Jonathan’s efforts. So Hope pictured a white light surrounding her body that would protect her from his advances.
“You are so hot,” Jonathan said huskily, as he reached over to place a kiss on her neck.
Hope felt her body stir in response and wondered why the block wasn’t working. Quickly she pushed him away.
“Will you stop that!” Hope exclaimed slightly breathless.
Jonathan didn’t answer, but just smiled smugly instead.
“So why exactly did you want to see me?” Hope asked.
“I heard the library was hiring and wanted to talk to you about a job,” he replied.
Hope almost spit out her coffee at his comment. There was no way she was going to let Jonathan get a job at the library. What was this guy up to?
“Why do you want a job there?” Hope questioned.
“I need a change and saw the posting in the library the last time I came in to see you. I thought this may be what I need right now.”
Hope wasn’t buying it.
“The job doesn’t pay very well,” Hope stated.
“I’m not really working for the money. I’m looking for something to do.”
“Rich are we?” Hope said sarcastically.
“I have enough,” he replied.
“You’d probably find it a boring place to work,” Hope said. “Not many exciting things happen there.”
Jonathan smiled. “But you would be there, that’s pretty exciting.”
“Look,” Hope huffed. “If you’re planning to work there just to get close to me then forget it. I will put a stop to your possible employment if this is the case.”
Jonathan smiled. “What if I tell you I’ve always wanted to work in a library?”
“I wouldn’t believe you,” Hope responded.
“In truth, I’ve never wanted to work in one before, until I met you. Just think we could work closely together.” Jonathan winked at her.
Hope was beside herself. “Don’t even think of applying, do you hear me? I have a good job that I happen to like and I don’t want you screwing it up because you can’t seem to keep your pants on.”
Jonathan laughed. “If you had it your way, my pants would be off.”
Hope was at her breaking point and ready to slap this guy silly. She knew she had to leave now before making a scene.
“I’m leaving,” she said getting up. “I suggest you leave me alone or you will be sorry.”
She didn’t wait for a reply as she stormed out of the restaurant.
Judy was waiting for Hope outside.
“What got you so riled?” she asked.
Hope relayed what Jonathan had told her.
“Do you think they would hire him?” Judy asked.
“Not if I have a say about it,” Hope answered.
“What if he does his M.O.E. thing and gets a job that way.”
“Considering my boss is a man, I doubt it, but if for some reason he does get it then I’m screwed. There is no way I’m working with that man.”
“So what are you going to do?” asked Judy.
“I’ll talk to my boss and warn him about Jonathan. Hopefully he will turn him away.”
When Hope got to work she went in search for her boss. Cameron was busy talking to another employee when she found him.
“Cam,” Hope called out. “I need to speak with you.”
“Sure Hope what’s up?”
“You know how you are hiring someone to help you,” Hope started. “There may be a man coming in, showing interest in it. His name is Jonathan Winters. He is around six one, short dark hair, very muscular, dresses well, and has a major attitude. Don’t hire him.”
“Did you date this guy?” he asked.
“No!” Hope implored. “Why would you ask that?”
“The guy sounds like one on of your beaus, that’s why.”
“Well he’s not,” Hope exclaimed. “He’s a smug S.O.B. who doesn’t deserve to work here.”
Cameron held up his hands in surrender. “All right I hear you. I won’t give him the job.”
“Thanks.” Hope breathed a sigh of relief.
She was glad that she spoke to her boss about Jonathan. Now that he knew about him, he could show Jonathan the door. It bugged her, though, that she wasn’t allowed to hire the staff. She always found it odd that she was responsible for the staff and had to make up their work schedule, but could not select who she wanted to work with her. She had heard a rumour that the last person who held her position had hired poorly and that’s why the hiring policy had been changed.
At least she had Cameron on board now so Jonathan didn’t have a chance. She smiled at the thought of seeing the smug look wiped off Jonathan’s face after being rejected. Thoughts of Jonathan soon disappeared when she saw the long line up of people waiting for books to be checked out. She slipped behind the counter to help her staff. Once the line was gone, she headed to her office to work on placing a book order.
When she entered she was surprised to find Bill waiting for her. Bill was an old boyfriend. She first met him when she had suspected him as a suspect in Judy’s mom’s murder. Hope and Judy had decided to play detective themselves to find Judy’s mom’s murderer. Bill was on the top of their list, so Hope went in disguise to find out if he was the killer,