“Because I know you, Royce. I figured the only way to get you here was to already have Maxwell here. You’re a tricky devil.”
“And you’re sneaky,” I muttered.
“I know.” She gave another annoying giggle. “But it’s for a good cause. I think some time spent focusing on our similarities instead of our differences could mend fences. You candidates shouldn’t be enemies. We all just care about Rainy Dale, right?”
“They’re trying to take myjob, Penelope,” I drawled.
“They’re not gonna win, silly. You’re still going to be sheriff after all the dust settles. I’ll eat my favorite handbag if anybody can beat you.” She sounded very confident, and I wondered if she knew something I didn’t or if she was just blowing smoke up my ass.
“Fine,” I grumbled. “But I’m not staying long.”
“I know. I know. Thank you, Royce. I really think this will be so great for the candidates and the community.”
I wasn’t sure I agreed, but so long as Max was there, I’d suck it up. “I’ll see you there shortly.”
“Okay. Tootles.” She hung up.
Since Maxwell was already at the mixer, there was no reason for me to go home first. I opened my desk drawer and pulled out a spare bottle of cologne I kept on hand. I worked long hours and didn’t like smelling like a camel by the end of the day. I went to the bathroom and splashed some cold water on my face to help wake me up. Then I grabbed my jacket and headed out.
Since Wagon Wheel Lane was just a moderate walk away and I’d been sitting all day, I decided to hoof it. As I walked down Main Street, in front of the shops, I heard what sounded like a live band in the distance. It seemed Penelope and the city council had spared no expense.
It was late afternoon, and most of the stores were quiet. As I got closer to Wagon Wheel, more and more people congregated. The band had stopped playing, and somebody was speaking over a microphone. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but it sounded like some sort of speech.
I turned the corner and headed down Wagon Wheel Lane. At the end of the street, there was amakeshift stage. A brightly colored banner featuring a smiling Liam James hung at the front of the stage. I was once more annoyed that Penelope hadn’t given me any warning. No one had offered to hang a banner for me. Not that I had one. But maybe I’d have had one made if I’d realized this mixer was happening. Even Kyle Segrott had a banner flapping in the wind over the stage, although it was half the size of Liam’s.
Now that I was closer, I recognized one of the city council members at the microphone. His name was Tom Glenn, and he’d never met a microphone he didn’t like. He was saying some nonsense about how the recall election was good for Rainy Dale. I tried hard not to roll my eyes because a lot of people were staring at me. But the truth was, the special election was a huge waste of money, and that was all there was to it.
I was happy when I spotted Max hovering near one of the food booths. He was sipping a frozen lemonade and looking decidedly out of place. He wore his usual suit and tie, and my heart squeezed with affection at the sight of him. When he saw me, obvious relief painted his face. He gave a little wave but stayed where he was. When I reached him, I gave him a quick kiss on the mouth. I could feel his surprise at the unexpected PDA.
When the kiss ended, he mumbled, “I was terrified you wouldn’t come.”
“Of course I was gonna come. You’re here.”
“Still, I wouldn’t have blamed you if you ghosted Penelope.”
“Well, I did try to get out of it, but she’d already talked you into it.” I sighed. “So, here I am.”
He grimaced. “She tricked me into admitting we had no plans. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. At least it’s outside so we get some fresh air.”
He nodded. “Yes. Although it’s a bit chilly for an outside event.”
“Want me to warm you up?” I winked.
“You would be smarter to pretend you don’t know me. I don’t want to lose you any votes.”
I frowned. “Stop it.”
He twisted his lips as if he was trying not to smile. “The one bright spot is at least we won’t run into River today. That’s something.”
I winced. “Ouch.”
“Too soon?”
“Kind of. Especially since the Raidens are using my treatment of him against me.”
“Yes.” He frowned. “I saw them earlier. They looked very smug.”
