Page 21 of His Curvy Distraction

“Mr. Mayor…”

“Please don’t call me that.” He opened his eyes and captured me with the need reflected back at me. “Please.”

“Omar, I…”

“And don’t tell me that was a mistake. Just… you can go. I’ll see you in two weeks.”

I nodded, unsure what I wanted to say anyway. It was better if I put space between us. Better for everyone.

I forced a smile for Jane, then got the hell out of the building. I told Amelia we had another meeting in two weeks, and put my head down and worked the rest of the day, definitely not obsessing about Mayor Omar Knight kissing the absolute hell out of me.

I woke up the next morning with the sheets twisted around my ankles and my body flushed and aroused from the dreams I had about Omar all night long.

That was not okay. I was tired, and I was turned on, and I was going to be surrounded by children all day.

At least I didn’t have to worry about the parents.

I dragged myself to the shower and cleaned up quickly before going to the kitchen. Daisy didn’t open the store until ten, so she was still asleep. I fixed coffee quietly, leaving some for her, and grabbed a banana and a bagel, then left for the day.

Amelia was already inside and setting up games when I arrived. We had a sheet on the front table for parents and guardians to sign kids in and out. I shoved Omar even further out of my mind and helped Amelia get ready for the arrival.

At six on the dot, the first parents dragged their bleary-eyed kids inside, some helping them take off jackets and boots before stashing their outdoor gear in a cubby for later.

It wasn’t long before the sounds of basketballs bouncing, kids laughing, and sneakers squeaking were the only thing I could pay attention to.

That was what I needed. Not Omar Knight and his far-too-tempting kisses. Not thoughts of him that kept me up half the night. No, I just needed to remember who I was and why I was in his office in the first place.

It was for the kids. Always for the kids. So we could put the smiles on their faces all summer when they came to summer camp. So we knew they were safe and cared for all summer.

Mayor Knight was going to help make it happen, but that was all he was going to do. He would help. It was his job as mayor.

And it was my job to stay away from him and not lose my mind with a man who would never work with someone like me. He needed to stay a fantasy. For good.

6

The first day of winter break was a success, but I was tired when I got home. Not nearly as tired as Daisy, though. My always cheerful best friend was working long hours leading up to the Christmas holiday and looked exhausted when she made it home from work on Christmas Eve.

“Are you okay?” I asked, alarmed at the dark circles under her eyes and the hollow look in the blue.

She collapsed onto the couch next to me. “I’m so tired. I did not anticipate the need in this town for a toy store at Christmas.”

“I thought that was one of the things you looked at before you opened Lincoln Toys.”

She nodded, her head falling to the back of the couch. “Yeah, but it’s so much busier than I thought it would be. Inventory is almost gone, and some people were not happy when what they wanted wasn’t available.”

“You’re closed until next year. And people who wait until the last minute have to accept that it’s their fault. Plus, that tells me you did amazing for your first holiday season.”

She smiled and nodded. “You’re right. It’s a good thing that I’m doing this well. It’s silly to complain about my business being successful six months after I opened the place. I’ve met so many people, too. And I’m learning that next year, I need to hire more help around the holidays so I don’t wear myself out so much.”

I grinned, amazed at the way she turned everything around so quickly. She impressed me on a daily basis, but pulling herself back from exhaustion was something I’d never seen her do. “Make notes now so you don’t forget by next Christmas.”

She got up and went to her handbag near the door, digging in the pocket where she kept her phone and bringing it back to sit on the couch again. “How was your day? How was the first day of the winter break rush?”

I shrugged. “It was good. Busy, but the kids had fun and are all excited to come back next week.”

“You always have fun with the kids. You’re so good with them. What activities do you have planned?”

She typed while I talked. “We have outdoor playtime, so all the kids brought snow gear. We had a lot of gym time. Trinity is doing crafting time two days next week, which will help break up some of the day.”

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