“Damn, is he the one who got away? Maybe it’s not her dad who’s messed her up, but this idiot who left her.” I don’t realize I’m talking out loud until Erwin answers.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” he says. “Can I go search for my Rubik’s Cube now?”
“Yeah.” I run a hand through my hair and step forward to approach them, but I’m stopped by a blonde jumping in front of me.
“Hey, cutie,” Naomi Needles says, her fingers trailing up the buttons on my shirt.
I step back and her hand falls to her side. “Hi, Naomi,” I say and notice her pin. “Like the pin?”
She plays with it, her nails perfectly manicured and painted a bright red. “I told you I’m your gal.”
“Thank you for the support. If you’ll excuse me.” I look over her shoulder at Posey to make sure she’s still there.
Naomi follows my line of sight and chuckles. “Eli Easton is back, and he’s definitely grown up. I’m sure Posey’s playing the what-if game over there.”
One thing is certain—I do not like or trust Naomi.
“Did Erwin tell you how hot and heavy those two were back in high school? Posey was crushed when he left.” She shakes her head and sips from her Yeti cup, which I doubt has water in it. “He’s back in town as a single father now. Probably trying to convince Posey to give him another chance.” She turns to block me from seeing the two of them. “Who cares about them anyway? What are you doing after this boring meeting?”
“Going home. Now please excuse me.” I slide past Naomi and walk over to where Posey and Eli just were, except they aren’t there anymore. I look around, not spotting them.
What the hell? Where could they have gone?
Someone comes on the mic and asks everyone to be seated. Jesus, I haven’t even tried to introduce myself to people. I’m really sucking on this campaign thing.
I find a seat in the back, spotting Eli showing Posey to a seat in the front. His hand is on the small of her back. I’m not a violent man, but I wouldn’t mind breaking that hand off from the rest of his body. Possessiveness hijacks my mind.
The school board members are all lined up across the front, passing a microphone back and forth. They talk about a crosswalk where people are speeding and debate shifting it for the kids to cross farther down the road. I have no idea why that’s safer, but everyone agrees, so it’s nice that it’s amicable.
They talk about the senior’s gift of a park bench this year, then the budget for technology depending on the upcoming election, to which a few faces turn to me either disgusted or enthusiastic. Last, they try to decide whether a new elementary school should be built in the coming years, and I’m floored when I hear the reason why.
“The Greene children are starting to get married and having kids. We should prepare for an influx of children.”
I bark out a laugh because how many kids can they have to require a whole new school? Everyone turns to me, and I quickly shift it to a cough, getting up to grab a water from the refreshment stand. Sometimes this town is too small.
Since there are varying viewpoints, the new school topic is suspended until the next meeting. The next topic is some classes they’d like to offer to the adults in the community. Fran and Nora agree to teach knitting, and someone else offers up a cooking class. But the only one that grabs my attention is when Eli Easton’s hand flies up in the air.
“May I suggest one I think I’d benefit from?” he says.
“Eli, we heard you were back in town. Welcome.” The woman leading the meeting offers a sweet smile.
“Thanks. Now that I’ve become a single dad, I need to figure out how to do girl hair. I wondered if someone like Posey could head a class like that.” He looks at her when she scoffs. “Not to put you on the spot or anything.”
The one cheek of Posey’s I can see is bright red.
“That’s a great idea. Jed could have used this, and I know we have a lot of new dads around town. There’s a surge of new energy around Sunrise Bay.” The same woman smiles proudly. “What do you say, Posey?”
“Um…” I hear reluctance in Posey’s tone. She doesn’t want to, nor does she probably have the time for it. “Sure. But I’ll have to bring the woman who taught me everything—my mom.”
“Perfect. We’ll add that to next week’s classes then.” The woman jots it down in her planner.
An hour later, the meeting is over. It wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be. Except for the part where I had to watch Eli lean over and whisper shit in Posey’s ear.
I stay where I’m seated, pretending I’m on my phone and waiting for Posey to pass me. She does minutes later, Eli still at her side. As soon as she’s two rows away, I stand, and she runs right into me. I place my hands on her shoulders to stop her from falling.
“Oh, Gavin, I didn’t see you,” she says.
Because this guy has demanded her attention all evening.
I put out my hand. “Gavin Price.”
“I know.” He shakes my hand firmer than necessary, as though he knows I’m a threat to him having Posey. “Eli. You’re running for mayor? Loved you in The Carters.”
This is how he’s gonna play this? The Carters? Give me a fucking break.
“Can I talk to you for a minute, Posey?” I ask.
She stares at me for a moment until we have to move over, since a lot of people are trying to leave and groaning that we’re in their way.
“I’m sorry, not tonight, Gavin. I had a really long day, so I’m just going to go home.”
Damn her if she thinks she’s going to continue to dodge me.
“It’ll only take a second.”
Eli puts up his hand. “You heard her.”
I narrow my eyes at him.
Posey looks at him and puts her hand on his to lower it. “It’s fine. Nice to see you, Eli, see you next week at the class.”
She walks away and I follow her like a damn puppy.
Once we’re by ourselves, she turns to me. “What can’t wait, Gavin?”
“The fact that you’re dodging me.”
“I’m not dodging you, I’m simply busy. I’ve been neglecting my clients, and my mom needs my help.”
“I want to talk about that kiss,” I say, inching forward.
She looks around the room and puts her hand on my chest, searing me with the heat of her palm. “It was a mistake. I apologize, I don’t want to play games with you. It was a momentary lapse of judgment.”
“But this Eli guy is going to win you?”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Win me? I had no idea I was like a stuffed animal in one of those claw games. Tell me, am I just hanging out on top or am I wedged between a stuffed pig and a stuffed bear?”
I exhale loudly. “You know what I mean.”
She steps to the side, and when I match her step, her eyes bore into mine. “No, because I’m not something to play tug-of-war with. Have a great night, Gavin.”
She walks away and I watch her go. One thing I can smile about is that she blows off Eli too.
“Bad news, boss, no one has seen my Rubik’s Cube,” Erwin says.
Jesus, Erwin. I have way bigger problems than a Rubik’s Cube.