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Bryan frowns and whispers in my ear. “You gave up sex so we could look at an old robot?”
I whisper back, “There’s just something special about a woman’s first robot, you know?”
My husband rolls his eyes, but his smile betrays his true feelings.
“I’d like to shoot a new video with him. And I need you here to help.”
Bryan still looks a bit confused, but he nods. I take a step backwards, away from him, and drop the two books I’m holding in Byron’s book return slot. The robot whirls to life and heads down the aisle.
I take out my phone and record Bryan, who follows Byron. “What are you recording? Wait, why am I in the shot?” he asks, turning back to glance at the phone camera.
I shoot him a mysterious smile. “You’ll see.”
When we reach the picture book section, Byron takes the green and red book from the cart and puts it away. I zoom in on the title—Goodnight Moon.
I wait to see if Bryan will say anything. He still looks confused.
The robot straightens the shelf and heads to his next destination. Bryan follows while I record.
Amelia trails after me. “Are you…?” she hisses, but I shoot her a look over my shoulder and she shuts up.
When we reach the 618s, the next book comes up the conveyor belt and into Byron’s metallic hand. This time, I zoom in on the title and then pan to Bryan’s shocked face.
“What to Expect When You're Expecting? Jane, are you? Are we?”
I nod and blindly hand my phone to Amelia so she can keep filming.
Bryan gapes at me. “When did you?—?”
“This morning, when I went shopping, I was actually at the doctor’s. She confirmed it. And I thought tonight?—”
Before I can finish the sentence, Bryan scoops me up and spins me around. He sets me down and stares at me in awe. “I’m going to be a dad?”
I nod.
He whoops and pulls me into his arms. Since we’re at the library, I half-expect someone—possibly Amelia—to shush us. She doesn’t.
The moment Bryan covers my lips with his, I forget all about my former—and possibly future—boss.
She clears her throat. “Should I stop filming now?”
I nod and pull away from Bryan so I can take back my phone.
“So this is why you didn’t jump at my job offer,” Amelia says.
Bryan turns to Amelia. “What job offer?”
“Full-time librarian.” She grins. “It’s been crazy busy here thanks to the Book Talk with Byron videos. Circulation rates are through the roof. It seems like everyone in town is reading now. People from out-of-town bring their kids in to see Byron. The library gift shop sales are covering all our operating costs. Donations are through the roof, too.” Amelia wrings her hands. “And Jane, your ‘Going Social’ talk at the National Library Learning Experience conference last month put Maple Valley Library on the map. No, it made us due north on the map. Everyone wants our strategic plan.”
I blush as she finishes listing my many accomplishments. I glance at Bryan, who is glowing with pride.
“Please tell me you’ll take the job? You’ll have unlimited access to children’s books when the baby’s here.”
“Doesn’t a library card—” Bryan starts to ask, but Amelia shushes him.
I grin. “You don’t need to convince me, Amelia. This is my dream job.”
Bryan nods in agreement. “She mentions wanting to be a librarian at least once a day.”
