Sizzle & Share (Surrender to Them 9)

“I hear you’re running for mayor?” His tone was casual and matter-of-fact.

“I—am.” I blinked in surprise.

I don’t remember the last time he even spoke to me—it’s been years.

“Good. It’s about time someone put Mayor Stevenson in his place.” Old Man Wrigley lifted his head and nodded.

Apparently, he talks to someone in this town if he’s

already heard that I’m running for mayor.

“Does that mean I have your vote?” I tilted my head inquisitively.

“Maybe.” A slight smile formed on the edge of lips. “You’ll need more than a big set of balls to beat Mayor Stevenson though.”

“That’s all I have at the moment.” I chuckled slightly.

“You should talk to Henry Walford.” Old Man Wrigley nodded.

“He’s—one of Mayor Stevenson’s biggest supporters.” I raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Why would he even want to talk to me?”

“Things aren’t always what they seem.” Old Man Wrigley looked back down at his newspaper and flipped the page.

“Thanks…” I grabbed my bottle of water and started walking towards the door.

Henry Walford is the last guy in town I would have even considered talking to…

20

Eliza

“This is all wrong.” Melanie’s mother flipped the pages in the notebook we had put together with everything for the wedding. “You can’t sit Aunt Hannah next to Aunt Fiona at the rehearsal dinner—they’ll be fighting before dessert!”

“Mom…” Melanie walked over and closed the notebook. “I love you, but this is my wedding. I’m sure your sisters can be civil for a few hours. I want the families to sit together.”

“I should have come sooner. This is going to be a disaster.” Melanie’s mother threw her hands up in a way that would have been comical if she wasn’t serious.

“Mom, calm down.” Melanie patted her mother’s hand. “This is going to be okay.”

“Does your dress fit? I need to see it on you.” Melanie’s mother started walking towards the stairs. “Come on, we might still have time for alterations.”

“It fits…” Melanie groaned, but followed her mother up the stairs.

“How do you put up with her?” I turned towards Melanie’s father and rolled my eyes.

“I’ve gotten used to it.” He shrugged and picked up the wedding notebook. “You really have done a good job helping Melanie plan everything—much better than my wife would have done, trust me.”

“Thank you.” I smiled and sat down. “So, how have you been? How’s Florida?”

“Sunny days and warm beaches.” He sat down and grinned. “Maybe you girls can come stay with us next summer after Melanie’s honeymoon bliss wears off.”

“I’d like that.” I nodded quickly. “I could use a few days on the beach.”

Melanie’s father and I made small talk until the arguing upstairs got so loud that he couldn’t ignore it any longer. He went upstairs and calmed his wife down, or at least managed to get her to stop yelling. Hearing her mother flip out while her father did his best to maintain peace was normal in the Andrews household. At least Melanie only had to put up with it until she got married and they went home. Once I was alone, my thoughts returned to Hudson. He was out making rounds, and I wished I was there with him. Our time together would be limited until Melanie’s wedding was over, and I still needed to find a place to live. As nice as it was to crash at Melanie’s place, it wouldn’t be quite as much fun once Dave moved in. I definitely didn’t want to be there while they were still enjoying the honeymoon bliss her father mentioned. I scanned a few listings in the newspaper and tore out a couple of them that looked promising.

I wish it was this easy to find a job…

“She’s impossible.” Melanie angrily stormed down the stairs and grabbed her purse. “Let’s take a walk.”