Chapter 5
“Are you losing weight?”Lily asked, looking her over critically.
“Yeah, your boobs look smaller,” Allie said enviously. The blond cherub in her arms giggled. Sisters. They could be brutal, but Amber loved hers.
Allie, the eldest, and Lily and Evie, the twins, were the youngest with Amber smack dab in the middle. Out of the four of them, only Allie and Amber had double Ds. A blessing to some, but a curse to others who knew about the back pain and unwanted attention they sometimes garnered.
“Boobs,” the toddler said loudly. “Boobs!”
It was the grand opening for Lily’s new wellness studio, and the entire Hart family had shown up to celebrate Lily’s business venture. Amber had spent the week since being fired helping Lily put the finishing touches on the studio and it looked fantastic.
The location was perfect, right on Main Street next to Morning Glory Bakery. The perfect place for drawing people, and then getting them to stay to work off the divine chocolate croissants from next door with dance and yoga classes. Amber’s stomach growled. Her sweet tooth had been sorely deprived this week.
Amber adjusted the slightly too loose Versace scarf dress that had fit her perfectly the week before when she measured and cut it. A week-long diet of ramen noodles and bananas would do that to you. The diet of someone with a mountain of overdue bills.
She had spent a hot, sleepless week working on the studio’s opening during the day and job searching in the evenings when it was too hot to sleep. At the moment, she was feeling the effects of little sleep and too much stress.
It was fine. Everything was fine. So what if she had stopped getting her mail because she didn’t want to see any more overdue bills? Who cared if she hit the ignore button on her phone once a day for the unknown number she suspected was perky Dana from the debt collections agency? And she didn’t even want to think of what she’d have to sell to come up with the money for Val’s college applications. Amber had been in tighter situations before and come out on top.
But she was really tired of bananas.
Allie pressed a kiss to her daughter’s blond curls. Amber adored all her nieces and nephews, of course, but Savannah had a special place in her heart. Something about the mischievous twinkle in her eyes, and how fiercely she protected her sister, Tessa, who was more gentle like her mother.
Savannah also looked like a ragamuffin all the time. Her curly blond hair refused to be tamed, and her purple princess dress had dirt streaks on it. Amber gently held her chin and wiped a smudge of frosting off her round cheek. “Savvie, tell your daddy you want another sissy or brother, okay?”
“‘K,” Savvie said, happily wedging another bite of pastry in her mouth.
“Tell Auntie Amber you want a cousin next,” Allie said, giving her sister the eye.
“Sorry, kid,” Amber laughed. “I can’t even keep a houseplant alive.”
Allie shifted the little girl higher on her hip and pinned her with a stare. “Speaking of staying alive. How’s the job search going?”
“No one is hiring right now. All the college kids came back for the summer and took the serving jobs. I emailed my resume to a temp agency, but I haven’t heard back. I’m so screwed,” Amber said.
“Skooed.”
“No, baby, that’s a rude word.” Allie murmured. “Maybe this will be good for you, Am,” she said.
“Did you miss the part where I said I was fired? What’s so good about that?” Amber winced. Fired was such a harsh word. She liked to think it was simply a break. An indefinite one. Surely Killian would call her and offer her job back. Who was taking her double shifts? She was the best bartender he had, besides Simone, who never sang karaoke on the bar. Fine, maybe Simone had an edge. Still, Amber was a huge part of the pub. Everyone knew that. Didn’t Killian miss her?
“Maybe this could be a good thing,” Allie said gently. “You’ve been working yourself ragged taking on all these odd jobs. Maybe you take this chance and go back to school or find something with benefits that makes you happy.”
Amber let out a bitter laugh. ”Happy? Every time I get close to happy, I mess it up. It”s like I”m programmed to self-destruct.” And then, because that truth cut so sharply to the bone, she deflected. “I still think you should get a stripper pole in here, Lily. That’s way more fun than yoga.”
“I don’t know how to use one,” Lily said, adjusting one side of the wide gold ribbon that hung between the door frames. Evie stood on the other side fluffing the tie.
Evie and Lily were so identical that even their family members sometimes couldn’t tell them apart. Luckily, Evie regularly wore a kickass collection of glasses to compliment her outfits. Amber wasn’t even sure if she needed them, but Evie worked as the librarian at the Northfield Library and it helped lend her some gravitas, she said. Today’s choice was a bold, tortoiseshell cat-eye.
In a little while, the mayor and a local news crew would be here to cut the ribbon and officially open the doors of Pure Bliss Wellness Studio.
At the thought of seeing Theo again, tension coursed through her. Working for him would be a disaster on both their ends, but there was a small part of her that regretted turning him down so quickly. Maybe it was the part of her that was growling—her stomach didn’t always agree with her impulsiveness.
“I could teach you how to pole dance,” Amber said. “I used to clean this lady’s house who had one in her basement. She thought it was a laundry hanging pole. We looked up tutorials and learned how to use it.” Amber flexed her arm. “Incredible workout.”
“I don’t think the mayor would appreciate a stripper pole on Main Street,” Evie, ever the most pragmatic sister, chimed in.
Amber snorted. “He wouldn’t know what to do with a stripper if one sat right on his lap. Besides, I’m thinking about starting up my dog walking business again.”
Allie eyebrows shot up. “The one you almost got arrested over?”
“I was rescuing that dog,” Amber said defensively. “Mrs. Bovenzi would roll over in her grave if she knew her loser son was mistreating Puddin’ like that.” She’d had a few choice words for the dumbass who left the pampered little dog outside all winter long, and Sheriff Rush Callahan had to intervene. No biggie.
“You know you could have your old job back with Mom if you wanted it,” Allie said carefully. “She always says your designs for her clients were the most creative she had ever seen.”
“Creative.” Amber snorted. “Her clients only wanted designs that looked like a doctor’s waiting room. They hated my ideas.”
Amber’s relationship with her mother, Annette, was complex. Annette was the epitome of self-made success, while Amber was...not.
For years, Annette juggled work and school, and the demands of starting her own business, leaving the girls with their aunts or eventually on their own when Allie and Amber were older. It had been hard on them all, but they made it, and it paid off. Annette’s design firm was wildly successful, and she had a reputation as a savvy businesswoman now.
When Amber dropped out of college, Annette had offered her a job at her design firm. Decorating other people’s homes quickly bored her, despite it being a good job. Annette’s wealthy clientele didn’t appreciate her colorful designs, anyway.
Amber had quit to save Annette from letting her go. She would rather not eat for a year than accept her mother’s charity job, but it still chafed that she was the only one in her family of women who couldn’t seem to get her life together.
“You”re as proud as she is. Too proud. She would help you in a heartbeat. She loves you, Amber. All she wants is for you to find what makes you happy.”
Amber smiled brightly. “I don’t need any help.”
“What about selling your clothing?” Allie asked. “I did some research on how to get started. You could ask some boutiques to take your designs on consignment.”
“Sell my clothes?” she asked, shocked to her core. She had been collecting her wardrobe for years, searching out vintage finds online and in boutiques for those one-of-a-kind-pieces that felt like winning the lottery when she finally found them.
“No,” Allie said calmly. “Sell the ones you design and make.”
“That’s just a hobby.” Amber let out a laugh. “Nobody makes money in the real world selling clothes.”
“You could.” The conviction in Allie’s voice was humbling. “You have so much talent with your designs and the way you create. I want to see you use it.”
“That’s hysterical. Those are just for fun.” Amber said firmly. Talking about her designs always made her feel self-conscious. Her designs were the one good thing that she hadn’t messed up in her life. All the odd jobs, all the business ideas, the plans, they had all fallen through. She refused to let the one thing she was actually passionate about out into the world only to see it fail like all of her other ideas. “Besides, I have a job offer I’m considering.” Shoot. She hadn’t meant to tell anyone about that, but as usual her mouth moved faster than her brain.
“Really? Where?” Evie asked.
“At the mayor’s office,” Amber said with a confidence she didn’t feel.
“Did Ford put in a good word for you with the mayor?” Allie asked.
“To do what?” Lily asked.
Amber looked around and gestured Lily and Evie closer. “The mayor likes happy endings in his office.” She stage-whispered it, watching Evie and Lily’s eyes widen with shock. “Two hundred for each one,” she nodded seriously. “I’m considering it.”
“That dirty bast—” Evie sputtered while Lily stood frozen, her wide eyes wide with shock.
Amber bent double, laughing so hard her empty stomach protested. “You guys, your faces,” she howled.
“Not funny, Amber. I was ready to go out there and tear him to shreds when he got here.” Lily whispered furiously, two spots of bright red on her cheeks.
“I love you two,” Amber said. She finally straightened up and wiped her eyes. “No, he needs an assistant, but I’d never work for such a tight ass.”
“The mayor does have a tight ass,” Evie said, adjusting her glasses and admiring it from the window.
Amber peeked out and sure enough, Northfield’s golden boy had arrived for the ribbon cutting.
Dressed in his usual tailored suit despite the heat, with a pair of aviators tucked into his crisp white collar, the mayor looked like a GQ ad come to life out there with mere hot, sticky mortals. Judging from the crowd of women surrounding him, she wasn’t the only one to think so. He was taller and broader than most of the surrounding people, and as she watched him talk, his white teeth flashed in a warm smile that few could resist. She liked to think she was immune.
“Is Tucker coming?” Amber asked.
“He”s really busy and traveling for work a lot, so I don’t think so,” Lily said, avoiding Amber’s eyes. Amber caught Evie’s eye skeptically, but they held their tongues for once. Lily had enough going on today.
Tucker, Lily’s boyfriend, was notorious for not showing up. Amber privately thought Lily could do a whole lot better, but he seemed to make her happy.
“We’re ready,” Annette said, coming from the kitchen in an ultra-chic navy sheath dress, complete with a toddler on her hip. Tessa, her hair in a neat pink bow, pointed to the double strand of wickedly expensive South Sea pearls wound around Annette’s neck. “You want to wear Mimi’s pearls, sweet girl?”
Annette whipped them off as if they were plastic and handed them to the little girl, while Amber watched in amusement. Annette may have had to give up many of the softer moments with her girls in order to provide for her family, but she was making up for lost time with her grandkids. She would never be a stereotypical grandma, but there wasn’t a doubt in anyone’s mind that she loved her family.
“I expected a call this week.” Annette’s soft smile faded, and she fixed Amber with a stare.
“Been busy, Mom,” Amber said. “Places to go, people to see.”
“No job yet?” Annette asked.
“I’m taking my time. There’s no rush,” Amber said with more bravado than she felt. Annette had a way of looking right past her flippant responses that always made Amber feel like she was a teenager lying about her grades again.
“We’ll talk at Sunday dinner,” Annette said, and Amber held in a sigh. She was not looking forward to Sunday dinner for once. All the aunts and extended family there to hear about her latest failure. You would think she was used to being the black sheep in her family, but it was getting old.
“Come on, let’s go find Daddy. He’s building the balloon arch for Aunt Lily.” Allie headed back toward the mini kitchen in the back where the aunts were yelling at each other about how to set up the refreshments. Ah. Family.
Lily didn’t look like she was listening. “I don’t think he’s going to make it.” She peered nervously out the front windows at Main Street.
Amber tugged her away and wrapped an arm around her. “The studio looks beautiful, Lils. We’re all so proud of you.”
“Thank you. I couldn”t have done it without all of you.” Lily said, adjusting her ballerina bun. Lily and Evie were the only two in the family that had been blessed with their dad’s auburn hair, creamy white skin, and clear green eyes, while the rest of the Hart women took after Annette’s Italian side. At least, that’s what Amber assumed. Annette never talked about their dad, and Amber didn’t blame her.
“I think those bracelets you made to hand out are going to be a big hit,” Evie said, examining one of the colorful beaded bracelets. Each one had the studio’s name and colors.
“Come on,” Amber said, threading her arm through Lily’s. “Let’s open your new studio.”
In the surge of family and friends through the door, Amber lost Lily in the crowd. She let herself fall back and watched as Lily took her place at the top of the steps. Pride and admiration mixed with a bit of sadness swelled in her until she had to swallow hard around the knot.
Seeing Lily make her dreams come true put her own life in stark contrast. Her future had always been less defined. Aimless. Murky even, especially when compared to all the ultra-successful, driven women in her family. She couldn’t help but wonder if that would ever change.
She snuckunder the ribbon just as Mrs. Dubois, the mayor’s secretary, handed Theo the oversized scissors. It was standing room only at the top of the steep stairs, with everyone crowded around to get their first peek inside the studio. Someone jostled her for a better view and Amber found herself wedged in between Theo and the building.
Despite the warm day, Theo’s customary suit still looked fresh while everyone else, including her, was battling with the humidity. Her dress didn’t have much fabric to it, but what there was stuck to her limply. Not so for the mayor. Even his short, dark hair was tamed into submission, as if even Mother Nature didn’t dare touch him. The mayor emanated a confidence that relied on more than her own flimsy bravado. She idly admired the back of his tanned neck and the outline of his muscular arms in his suit and wondered what it must feel like to have everything under control.
As if she said it aloud, Theo turned toward her, causing her to lean back farther or be squished by his bulk. She winced when the rough brick building cut into her bare back.
“Excuse me,” Theo murmured, surprise on his face when he saw it was her. A large, warm hand settled on her waist and drew her gently away from the wall, and a jolt went through her at the heat. She rather thought his hands would be cold, considering the cool, controlled demeanor he projected.
She was close enough to catch the subtle, expensive scent of his cologne. Theo studied her for a brief second, his gaze dipping to her deep cleavage on display, down to her feet in red cowboy boots, and back up without expression.
Once again, it felt like he had taken her measure and found her wanting. Irritation and an undeniable spark of something else flared through her hotly.
“Us peons are just happy to bask in your shadow, Mr. Mayor,” she retorted. To her surprise, the corners of Theo’s generous mouth curved, revealing a set of dimples that completely transformed him.
Theo Clairmont had dimples.
Wicked, oh-so-appealing dimples.
It really was a shame that he was such a dud because the mayor did hot, melty things to her insides, and he had since she’d been a rebellious teenager and he a twenty-five-year-old man.
Amber was no stranger to men. She had dated enough to recognize that deep, hot pool of desire that swelled whenever she got close to Theo. She recognized attraction for what it was, a simple chemical reaction. She was smart enough to know that Theo Clairmont was just that: red hot lust, the kind that made her shift slightly just to feel the silky slide of fabric on her body and the answering response deep in her body. She didn’t even like the man. He made her feel strangely exposed, and altogether not like herself.
And yet...she couldn’t help but wonder what he was like in bed.
She’d bet money he was coolly polite. May I please fuck you now?
She pictured him, icy and restrained, even in the throes of passion.Probably wouldn’t dream of anything so impolite as bending a woman over a desk and fucking her senseless. The kind of sex that made you see stars.
The mayor struck her more as the roses and candlelight type, who liked things neatly arranged on a pristine bed. Boring and vanilla. She made it a habit to steer clear of that type. Those men usually craved the aftermath: the soft, intimate whispers under the sheets afterward, maybe a bite to eat, and getting to know each other.
Her tastes leaned more toward the thrill of the moment, the dizzying, electrifying excitement, rather than the unveiling after. She didn’t stick around for that.
While Theo did his official mayor thing, Amber stood behind him and idly surveyed the crowd. All the usuals were there. Other business owners, including her mother, whose studio was also on Main Street, and two of her aunts, who owned a florist shop close by, along with curious locals, and reporters having a slow news day, all crowded onto the steps to see the sainted mayor.
She recalled a recent news story that had Theo trailing behind another candidate, but looking at him now, she couldn’t imagine why. He certainly looked the part, and she knew from listening in on conversations at the pub that the fire and police departments respected him. Even Cap, who didn’t play political favorites, had a grudging respect for the mayor’s work ethic.
Her stomach growled quietly and just as she thought no one heard, Theo turned his head imperceptibly to meet her gaze. This close, she could see that the tiny laugh lines next to his blue eyes were paler, as if he spent a lot of time in the sun. That haughty eyebrow skyrocketed. She hated that eyebrow.
So, she yawned. Loudly. “Oops. Excuse me.” Someone laughed in the crowd. Theo didn’t miss a beat in his speech, but his eyebrow stayed down, so she figured they were even on her mental scoreboard.
Amber felt a little guilty admitting it, but the town politics had never interested her very much before. Every November, she did her duty and voted for Theo, and his father before him, although she would never, ever admit that to him. When Amber was little, Annette took her and her sisters on a trip to the Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester every year. They visited Susan B. Anthony’s grave and placed their “I voted” stickers on her tombstone to show support for the pioneer. It was a little macabre, sure, but Annette treated them all to breakfast after at a greasy spoon diner with the best chocolate chip pancakes on earth.
Mmm. Chocolate. She could almost taste the little morsels melting in her mouth. Tomorrow was Sunday dinner at Annette’s with the entire family. Despite being sick to death of ramen, she would probably have to make up some excuse not to go. She really couldn’t stand talking about another failure on her résumé with her family giving her pitying looks. Poor Amber, she lost another job. Well meaning, but she was so very tired of hearing it. She was so very tired of living it.
It was enough to sink her into a deep depression, so she looked around at the crowd instead, and caught sight of Savannah toddling like a drunken sailor toward the edge of the stairs. Someone’s frantic whisper, “Savvie, no, come back,” warned her, but the little girl let out a mischievous giggle, took another step, and tumbled in slow motion headfirst down the stairs. Amber’s heart leaped to her throat while she watched, frozen in horror, and too far away to stop her.
Theo’s arm shot out and gripped Savannah’s chubby little ankle just as she went ass over teakettle in her princess dress.
The crowd gasped, then cheered, and Amber heard the telltale clicks of cameras and phones in the audience. Theo, still gingerly holding a now-laughing Savannah, bent to put her down. He turned back to the mic as if nothing had happened.
Amber looked around in disbelief. Where was his team? This was the perfect PR moment and Theo was just going to waste it? One would think he got his position on good looks alone because it definitely wasn”t his marketing skills, she thought in disgust. No one wanted to hear about the history of the building when there was drama to see.
Before thinking too much about it, she jumped into action, sweeping down to lift Savannah back up. “Hi, Savvie. Want to smile big for the camera?” she whispered, pointing to the news camera. Savvie’s eyes lit up. Her favorite thing in the world was stealing everyone’s phones and taking selfies whenever she could, like the little diva she was.
“Take her and smile,” Amber whispered, gently placing Savanna into Theo’s arms again. Very muscly arms, she couldn’t help but notice.
The little imp looked up at the man holding her and patted his cheek. “S’mile,” she demanded, and Theo did what any self-respecting man would do—he smiled, dimples and all.
Oh, yeah. That was the look that would win him the election.
Impulsively, she reached up and messed up his hair. Not a lot, just a few pieces that curled over his forehead and made him look appealing tousled. Approachable. Less GQ, more hot guy next door. Yummy.
“Mr. Mayor, over here!” Click.
“Smile over here, Mayor!” Click. Click.
“Did you see him save that baby?” Click.
Amber sat back and watched smugly. She did have a knack for putting people in their best light.
“That was clever,” Lily murmured from beside her.
Amber shrugged. “It’s good publicity for your studio too.” But something had shifted in the instant she had decided to orchestrate the moment. It felt good. She had known exactly what to do. Maybe working for the mayor wasn’t quite as crazy of an idea as she thought. Maybe he needed her and didn’t know it?
Besides, Sunday dinner was looming and the thought of facing her family without a plan made her queasy.
The next half hour of mingling and celebrating flew by. Every time Amber spotted Theo, people surrounded him, vying for his attention. She watched for her opportunity for a while, noticing that Theo took his time listening to every single person who waited to talk to him.
Eventually, she gave up and busied herself cleaning up and networking with moms and kids looking for dance classes. Amber made sure they all left with a brochure and a bracelet, which turned out to be a huge hit with the kids.
She looked again for Theo, but seeing him engaged with a young family, Amber grabbed a brownie and snuck away to Lily’s office to wolf it down in peace. Double chocolate with a chocolate ganache frosting, her favorite. She was leaning on the desk, licking her fingers of the last bit, when someone knocked.
“Door’s open,” she called.
Theo walked in, looking just as pristine as when the event started. She self-consciously smoothed back her flyaway hairs. When she realized what she was doing, she quickly crossed her legs, draped herself across the desk, and purred, “You found me. Take me, I’m yours, big boy.”
“I came to say thank you,” he said stiffly.
Amber straightened up. “Relax, Mr. Mayor,” she grumbled, rubbing her ribs where Lily’s stapler had jammed into her. “I’m just messing with you.”
“I think you missed your calling,” he said, strolling into the office with his hands in his pockets and eyeing the desk.
“As what? A slutty secretary?” She snorted. “Been there, done that.”
Theo looked at her strangely. “I was thinking more along the lines of the boss.”
Oh. “Nah, too many rules to follow.”
Theo walked closer. “You have something right...” He pointed to her chin.
“What? Here?” Amber swiped at her face self-consciously. Seriously, why did this man always make her feel so awkward? She dug deep for Marilyn. “Why don’t you show me?” she purred, blinking up at him.
Theo held her chin in his hand, much as she had Savannah’s earlier, and inspected her mouth closely. He was so close she could have leaned forward and brushed against his chest. His fingers were firm on her chin. She inhaled deeply. Leather and sandalwood and man. It was surprisingly earthy and entirely delicious. Amber’s breath stuttered. “Chocolate,” he said.
Amber jerked her chin away. “I was eating a brownie,” she muttered. “You know, chocolate and caffeine? How normal people get through the day.”
Theo let go of her chin and stepped back, and she could breathe normally again. “I wanted to thank you for earlier.”
“You’re welcome. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up.” She shrugged, pleased in spite of herself. “You really do need help. That was a perfect PR moment, and you almost blew it.”
“The job is still open.” He raised an eyebrow. “Would you like it?”
She didn’t even hesitate. “Yes, but I have conditions.”
Theo nodded. “I assumed you would. Name them.”
“I want my first two weeks’ pay on my first day.” That would cover Val’s college applications and the SAT test, and anything else she would need, plus cover her late bills, and she could put some money down for the collection agency.
“What? Why? That’s absurd. We’re a government office. I can’t just pay you up front.”
“So you can’t change your mind and fire me before then.”
“Fine.” The twitching of his eyelid fascinated Amber. The cool, calm, and collected mayor did get hot and bothered, just not by the usual means. “Anything else?”
“Yes.” She thought. “I want a...a bonus if you”re reelected.” Amber”s tone was firm, but she was shaking inside. Now she was just poking the bear. “A thousand dollars.”
“Done.”
Amber’s jaw dropped. “D-done? You agree to pay me a grand in November?”
He smiled slightly, no dimples in sight. “I would have offered you more. Next time, start higher.” He stepped back and straightened his immaculate tie. “Are we done?”
She narrowed her eyes. “One more thing: I don’t cook, so don’t get any ideas.”
Theo paused on his way to the door. ”I very much doubt you have anything I would want to eat. Is there anything else?”
Amber smiled slowly. “This is going to be so much fun.”
Theo sighed. “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”